I graduated back in Dec. 2005 from ECU with a useless degree in a joke for a major called Information Technologies. Couldn't find a job to save my life nor did I want to do anything in that field...whatever that field is...At the end of 2006 I decided to go to school for nursing but couldn't figure out how I should go about obtaining a nursing degree. I checked into the local community college and started researching the different programs offered in NC. That's when I came across the ABSN programs for people who possess a degree in a field other than nursing. Winston Salem State seemed the most appealing considering the program was fully funded. Since I had already missed the deadline for the following year (2007) I decided to go to the community college and take a NA class that way I could get my foot in the door so to speak. Did that, retook General Psych over the summer, and moved from Rockingham, NC to Winston Salem because I was hired at Baptist Hospital as an NA and couldn't get a job making more than $7/hr in Rockingham.
So here I am...stepping out on faith because I knew only one person in this area and didn't have a place to stay or any money seeing as how I hadn't really worked much. I got accepted into WSSU as a degree seeking student took the science courses required for the ABSN program only to get a C in both A&P 1 and 2. Then my time to apply comes around...I jump on it. Get all of my information turned in before the deadline. Transcripts, and immunization records. I get a letter about a month after the deadline stating the fact that they decided to go with more qualified applicants.
Okay...this is where the ranting comes into play...Honestly...my undergrad GPA from ECU was a 2.9...higher than the minimum 2.6. My pre-req GPA from WSSU was a 3.2...also higher than the minimum 2.6 GPA...I know those two GPA's are exactly what one would consider high but I find it hard to believe that everyone accepted into that program's GPA was higher than mine. Especially considering I had people who were graduating from the ABSN program doing their preceptorships on my unit telling me that some of their classmates had 2.6 undergrad GPA's.
So I quit at WSSU and decided to try the community colleges seeing as how I can only get loans now. Also the tuition is a lot cheaper. I applied to both Forsyth Tech and Guilford Tech only to be put on the alternate list at Guilford Tech and not even be considered at Forsyth Tech because i couldn't score within the 40th percentile on the science portion of the TEAS test. I mean my God...who remembers the different types of clouds and rocks?
Ugh...I'm just frustrated. I mean this is something that I really want to do but am now lacking the patience it takes to do it. I'm tired of waiting and having to try again next semester or next year. I mean seriously...what am I doing wrong. I've even considered enduring the aggravation of retaking A&P 1 and 2 so that I'd be more competitive at the CC's since they use a point system. I've also considered trying a LPN program but because that idea came to me late...(after the deadline for most programs here in NC) I still have to wait until next year.
I love what I do I just hate the way I'm treated. As an NA I'm constantly looked down on by my fellow coworkers (the nurses) They act as if the only thing they're supposed to do is pass meds and check IV's. All other tasks are delegated to the NA...even things we're not supposed to do which is interesting considering I believe that if you were infact an NA and worked as an NA you should know what is in an NA's scope of practice. I do know different facilities have different policies.
So basically I'm trying to find the quickest most economical way to become an RN. Is anyone in somewhat of the same boat as me...not so competitive GPA but is passionate about nursing for the love of the profession and not the money? Have you been accepted into a nursing program and if so, where?
