On Alternate List - Nursing School

grinnurse, RN · Apr 9, 2005

I don't know of any people that were on the alt list for 4 year Univ. list but I was on alt list for 2 yr program at the CC. I was accepted the 1st year that I applied but had a baby just before I was accepted so I declined for a year. The 2nd time I applied I was placed on the alt list and got in that year. We could find out how far down on the list we were when this happened to me and I only missed it by 6 people. Luckily, some of the people didn't know how to follow directions and the others had changed their minds so I knew I was in when I went to the first orientation which was in May so I didn't have to wait a very long time to find out I was officially in NS.

Good Luck and I will keep my fingers crossed for you!!

Transplant-BSNTx · Apr 9, 2005

I was placed on an alternate list for a four year BSN degree. They would not tell anyone that was on the alternate list what number they were. I applied for this spring, and they didn't call and tell me that I was moved from the alternate list to that of full acceptance until 1 week before the start of the spring semester. I was so happy! Fortunately, I was number 2 on the alternate list though, and they accept 40 students per semester.

So, don't lose hope! There's always a chance. Usually you can talk with the people in the nursing program that make the selection and ask them what you can do to better your chances, or why you were placed on the alternate list, etc.

Good luck! :)

HappyNurse2005, RN · Apr 9, 2005

My school (ADN program) has an alternate list (not a wait list). We have no idea how many people are on this list, but we know its not that many. If you get on the alternate list, and someone who did get accepted declines it, fails to turn in required items on time (like physical, immunizations), etc you can get in.

In my class now, there were 5 or 6 who were on the alt list, then got called up to be in that class.

RNSuzq1, RN · Apr 10, 2005

Hello Board - I had a question for people who have or know of people that have been placed on the alternate list for 4 year nursing degrees. I received my letter this week from the University of Oklahoma that I was not accepted but was placed on the alternate list in case other people have to drop, etc.

KK, I was on the alternate list last year for my ADN Program. There were only 40 slots and over 450 applied, but thankfully they at least told us what # we were on the list. Those that were first accepted found out in late May and got to order their uniforms, books (get themselves prepared), etc. - those of us on the alternate list spent most of the Summer in "limbo".

Thankfully, my alternate # came up and I was accepted into the Program and started last Fall. We're about to enter our 3rd Semester and there are only 25 of us left from the original 40. Surprisingly, those that we lost were among the first chosen. The majority of the classmates we've lost were the very young and those that chose Nursing for the money and not for the love of caring for others. It's a weeding out process and those of us still hanging in there have the desire and maturity to not only do our very best as far as studying and grades are concerned, but also be dedicated to our patients during our clinical rotations. I personally believe that Nursing is a "calling" - if you enter this profession for the right reasons, you will achieve your goals. Good Luck to you. Sue...

kwagner_51 · Apr 10, 2005

I was accepted into the nursing program [ADN] excited about registering for Nursing classes in the Fall etc... Met with my advisor in the Spring for registeration. Was told that she was sorry but I couldn't register because I got a D in Intermediate Algebra at MIDTERM!!! [Which is NOT counted in the GPA]

I was put on a waiting list to see if I could pull up my grade, and to see if others flunked out of the program. This was in MARCH. I didn't find out I was in until May. Then I had to go see the Chairman. She told me I had made it. I cried right there on the spot.

I went through living HE** because I knew I would pass the da** math class. My experence with NS has been AWFUL. I had to fight financial Aid every year. I went through 2 FA Directors. We are so broke that it will be a MAJOR struggle to come up with the $50.00 State fee and the $200.00 NCLEX fee. The money will take food from my children's mouthes. We will get through it though, and all of the kids and my DH have requested a CHEESE Christmas!!

BUT I graduate on April 30, and will be pinned on May 1st!!

I have 3 weeks and 9 actual clinical/lecture days left!! :D :D

_________________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 10, 2005

I'm in a 2-year program, but I know of SEVERAL "alternates" that were called up to attend - one even two days before the semester started.

hangnon · Apr 11, 2005

I was on the alternate list for my ADN program I'm in now. At first, I was number 13 on the list....then I moved up to number 5....and on the day of orientation I was number 1. I found out I got in about 2 weeks before the quarter started. Lots of people decide not to start for one reason or another, be patient and best of luck to you! :)

GWENLYN18 · Apr 19, 2005

Hey it can happen I was on a waiting list and one day out of the blue I received a phone call that I was in. Keep your hopes up!

kklownluv · May 3, 2005

Thanks for all the replies. It helps to have a source for questions like these.

Best of luck to everyone (including me!)

INFJ · May 3, 2005

I was placed on the alternates list at first, too. I was so upset and at a loss because my GPA was a 3.6 overall and I already held a Masters Degree in another field. I had NO idea how I could have been passed over. So, I went to the Nursing Student Affairs office and asked. Somehow in the central office of admissions to the university, it had been indicated that I had turned down admission to the school for that Fall...therefore, they didn't even look at me for Nursing School - I just got the alternate letter. All that to say, when I talked to the director of nursing student affairs she was upset that I had been passed over with a good GPA and fixed it right then and there. I was admitted & registered the next day!

You have a great GPA...so double check with the school. Even if you are still really on the alternates list...you will have a great peace of mind knowing for sure!

Plus, several people who have been admitted will probably decide to either go elsewhere, or not attend due to family issues, etc. One of my friends opted out because she was pregnant. It happens every day!!!

Hang in there...you'll be surrounded by the world of a Nursing Student sooner than you realize! :)

hope this helps

Amy

LilRedRN1973 · May 4, 2005

I was #44.....my program accepted 40 students. I called once a week for the months of June and July, but only moved up to #42 (second on alternate list). When orientation rolled around the first week of August, I decided to show up for the 2 day, 8 hours/day ordeal in the hopes that someone would decide they couldn't do what the program entailed. After sitting in the classroom for a short period of time, I realized there were only 38 people, including myself, in attendance.

At the first break, I went the Director of Nursing's office to ask what happened to those students who were accepted but failed to show up for orientation. I was told that if they hadn't made previous arrangements for missing the orientation, their seats would be given up. She then asked me what I was doing there as "just as alternate". I explained my reasoning, she commended me on my tenacity, then looked to see what had happened to the 3 students who were supposed to be there. Since nobody had called to explain their absence, I was given a slot! I started blubbering right there in her office and hugging on her (which I think made her a TAD bit uncomfortable....LOL).

Here it is, 4 semesters later and I will be graduating May 24, 2005. My GPA when I was accepted (or actually placed on the alternate list) was 3.34. But I've realized that grades aren't everything. One of the students who is probably at the head of the class is having a very difficult time in clinicals and doesn't have much of a "people personality". They've not gotten the best evaluations from the nurses they've been paired up with.

I'm just happy to have made it. I've gone through trying to do nursing school with a hubbie that works 12 hour night shifts, raising a 5 and 8 year old, a father in law that came down AML (acute myelogenous leukemia) and was hospitalized for over a month, an aunt who has colon cancer, another aunt with breast cancer, two surgeries, and a severely injured back. I'm very thankful to have made it and although my GPA has suffered (I'm around 3.25 now), I could care less. I love where I will be working (ICU) and love the staff I will be with, including my supervisors. I'm excited to be embarking on a new and incredible career path (hell, who am I kidding....I waited tables and ran restaurants for 10 years prior to this...not much career there...LOL).

Melanie = )