Plan B: Changing Majors?

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So to all the fellow friends I've made here, I've been rejected to all three nursing programs I applied to (USF/SFSU/CSUEB) :crying2:. It's only my first time, but it's very disappointing, and I feel like I worked so hard this past two years and have just hit a dead end. :banghead:

Anywho, case in point is, by the end of this semester, I'll be done with my GE's and nursing pre-reqs. This summer I'm planning on volunteering at a local hospital to build up some experience in the medical environment, and just get have some sort of idea as to what I'm getting in to. :chuckle In the fall, I'll basically be applying to all the CSU's [that I'm eligible for], a few private colleges, and maybe out of state if I have to for next Spring, hopefully being able to even get into ONE with all this competition. :uhoh21: My greatest fear is that I will be denied yet again, and I don't want to waste an entire year doing nothing. It's even tougher because I have so much pressure from my parents to do well and I will be the first grandchild on my mom's side to graduate from college and the second on my dad's side, and everyone is expecting so much from me! :uhoh3:

To my dismay, I hear stories of people waiting two, sometimes three years just to get into nursing programs :uhoh3:. After much contemplation after my third (and final) rejection :zzzzz, I was thinking about getting a BS in Microbiology, while I wait to get into clinicals. If my nightmare does happen and I don't make it into the NS the second time around, I will at least have been studying and working towards something. & don't get me wrong, I DO want to be a nurse, but there's not much more I can do if I they just won't let me in, but recently, I've been very interested in Microbiology; I think it would lay a good foundation for me in the specifics of the particular field I am interested in. BUT, if by chance, I get called into the NS, I would take it, and perhaps finish the Micro degree later, or vice versa. What do you guys think? Am I aiming too high? :no:

I know I'm still young (19 turning 20 this August :bugeyes:) but I'm ready to start working :typing and helping people!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Julz I can totally relate. I have been waiting 2 years to get into a program and still have not yet been accepted. I have been doing a lot of thinking this last month about my plan B. I was waitlisted to 1 program which I would start Fall'09 but still that seems so far away. I have decided to take the CNA class that my school offers and try to get some experience as a CNA while I wait. It's not a glorious job but it does teach many important things that will just make the program better for me.

I too want to make some kind of $ while I wait but on the flip side, I still want to be learning as well.

I wish the best and hope that what you do choose makes you happy, isn't that why we become RN's anyways?

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I have a friend who has been waiting a year now to get into a program. She took a CNA class last fall, but the local hospitals are not really hiring CNAs. She's now finishing up an EMT class and loves it.

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Julz I can totally relate. I have been waiting 2 years to get into a program and still have not yet been accepted. I have been doing a lot of thinking this last month about my plan B. I was waitlisted to 1 program which I would start Fall'09 but still that seems so far away. I have decided to take the CNA class that my school offers and try to get some experience as a CNA while I wait. It's not a glorious job but it does teach many important things that will just make the program better for me.

I too want to make some kind of $ while I wait but on the flip side, I still want to be learning as well.

I wish the best and hope that what you do choose makes you happy, isn't that why we become RN's anyways?

It's nice to know that someone understands my situation :nuke:

Even one semester seems too long for me to wait out. I just feel like I can get so much done in that amount of time, and it just sucks having to wait around to get in when I'm done with all these classes already. But at least you're taking a CNA class to get a feel for what NS or nursing in general will be like. I go to a CC in Napa and I hear that many people here take the Psych Tech program while waiting to get into clinicals. The waitlist is somewhere in the 400's now...

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I just submitted my application to nursing school--just one program, though, I don't have the ability to move or commute alot. If I don't get in I plan to try at least one more time, maybe two. If I still don't get in I'll probably major in English, because that would be my quickest degree and then work for a couple of years to save up some more money, so that maybe I can try again.

Mainly I wanted to say to you that a year really isn't all that long. When I decided to go for my BSN, I had 1.5 years of pre-reqs to finish and it seemed overwhelming, but it went by really fast. Even if you're not taking classes (but just working in the field) it will probably go by really fast.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck on getting in!

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First off Julz, you know I am sorry it has been a rough, rough road, these last couple of days/weeks for you. I am sorry you didn't get in.

Can I just remind you of something - I know it is of little consequence just now - but girl - LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE in just a short time!! You kicked butt. Totally! You are only 19 years old and you have gone in and finished what many people take years and years to chip away at. You have worked hard and you have done a great job. You should be so proud of yourself for all you have accomplished. Its their loss. They could have had a committed, responsible, hard working and focused nursing student in you. Hopefully the next school you apply to recognizes that. And I am certain it is all about the crazy, intense competition of such an impacted program.

Don't give up - go ahead and get on some of the waitlists, and lotteries even if they take awhile - you have to pass time living your life anyway, and they pass much faster than you think. Many people have their names on multiple lists, so the numbers look falsely inflated. If the number is 400 - there are not really 400 people in front of you that all have to get slot before you.

Also, try some other schools if you can go out of the area. Someone mentioned Humbolt, and I think they have spring entry and you might not have missed the cut off. Get that volunteer and/or work experience and perhaps try the TEAS again to get the highest score you can.

In the meantime, if you found something you love in micro - explore that! I used to work in the hospital lab and the micro lab was a cool place to work, and the technologists make a nice living. I just set up the specimen and streaked plates, they did the ID and technical stuff. It was fun though. Also, your thoughts on checking out other allied health careers is smart. You are such a smart and motivated person, that I just know you are going to be successful in whatever you go after. This is just a hurdle, not a dead-end. Be gentle to yourself while this dust settles and then go have a bit of fun!!! It has been super serious and intense, let your hair down a bit. Even though admission into NS has been your primary goal all this time, the lack of acceptance just now is not at all a representation of your worthiness, dedication or deservedness! Don't let this dissuade you from your dreams.

Take care

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Julz, I am so sad that you didn't get in. The competition is just so crazy around here. There are a lot of people who would make fantastic nurses and are stuck in the same situation as you. You are young and you have many options. I hope everything works out for you, either applying to other schools, going the microbiology route, or waiting and applying for a second go round. Don't give up on your dreams. You are going to be a success. It took me until I was in my mid thirties to start pursuing nursing and it seemed like it took forever to get through those prerequisites. Sometimes it takes awhile, but in the end it will work out. I send you lots of hugs, don't let these roadblocks, ever get you down on yourself. A whole bunch of us on allnurses are sending good thoughts your way.

Take care,

Jean

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Specializes in Operating Room.
It's nice to know that someone understands my situation :nuke:

Even one semester seems too long for me to wait out. I just feel like I can get so much done in that amount of time, and it just sucks having to wait around to get in when I'm done with all these classes already. But at least you're taking a CNA class to get a feel for what NS or nursing in general will be like. I go to a CC in Napa and I hear that many people here take the Psych Tech program while waiting to get into clinicals. The waitlist is somewhere in the 400's now...

Hey I go to NVC too!!!!!!!!!! Its a small world after all.........what classes are you taking right now? Im in Micro with Mr. Rose....Im thinking of taking EMT this summer, you interested?

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Hey I go to NVC too!!!!!!!!!! Its a small world after all.........what classes are you taking right now? Im in Micro with Mr. Rose....Im thinking of taking EMT this summer, you interested?

Wait....WHAT THE HELL?!

I'm taking Micro with Rose right now, too! :chuckle LOL. Omg what a coincidence. Umm well my name's Julianne, I sit in the very front by the left window during lecture...I'm in the afternoon lab...do I know you already? Haha.

Oh, and any word from CSU-EB yet?

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My classes don't start until fall of 09, and I don't wait well. What I'm doing is gettng the pre-reqs and some electives out of the way now. Also, beginning in the fall, I have to come up with plan in order to maintain full-time status for financial aid. My school is starting a Pharmacy Tech program this coming fall. It will only take 3 quarters and with all of my Gen Ed out of the way, it will only be 4-6 credits a quarter for me. For me, it was a no-brainer to add that while doing my 2 A&P courses, Microbiology, and Nurse's Aide (which is all of the pre-reqs I have left). I figure it's a win-win for me. It gives me full-time status, plus it also gives me another career option in case the Nursing school doesn't work for me. I'm not thinking there'll be a problem or anthing, but the dual major just made good sense in my situation.

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I know it is hard, but don't give up. I applied to 8 programs before getting accepted at SJSU. The good things about this school are they take 85 students each time (compared with about 50 at other schools) and they have a fall and spring start. I suggest you apply for spring semester.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Wait....WHAT THE HELL?!

I'm taking Micro with Rose right now, too! :chuckle LOL. Omg what a coincidence. Umm well my name's Julianne, I sit in the very front by the left window during lecture...I'm in the afternoon lab...do I know you already? Haha.

Oh, and any word from CSU-EB yet?

Wow, im in the AM lab. Im Krista, I sit kinda in the middle in lecture towards the front. I think I had chemistry with you before too...Subramanian a couple of semesters ago? I got my rejection letter from Sac today, and no word from CSUEB yet.....:uhoh3:

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