Frustration with "the plan"

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

So here is my plan - to finish my prereqs this spring and start nursing school in the fall, compliments of a scholarship from our local hospital. Sounds good, huh?

Here are the problems I'm having! I can't apply for our nursing program until I finish the spring semester in May - I will have exactly 10 days to get my application in after the class is over. No guarantees, except that they say it isn't full as of now and they "encourage me to apply".

Bigger problem - I need a 3.0 GPA to apply for the scholarship, but I only have a 2.6, thanks to some (non required) classes I flunked WAY back in the day (pre-1991). I can get an academic renewal, but not until I finish 12 credit hours of recent classes, which again, will be after the spring semester. Of course, the deadline to apply for the scholarship is in March! So I am trying to get ahold of someone at the hospital to see if I can get an exception since I will be able to get the GPA I need as of May (I have a 4.0 in all my prereqs). So far though the hospital hasn't returned my call, so I need to decide whether to call back, e-mail, or write a letter to see if I will even be able to apply.

I just hate all the uncertainty of my life, I like to have it planned out! But it could go many different ways - IF I get the scholarship, I might not get into the nursing program, and THEN I would have to wait a year. IF I get into the nursing program but don't get the scholarship, THEN I will have to take out student loans. If I get don't get the scholarship or get into the nursing program, well, I'll be really depressed!

Well, just venting, I guess! Thanks for reading!

Kelly

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Hemodialysis.

It's too bad that they aren't just looking at your pre-req gpa. I don't really have any advice for you other than to get that application out in time, when the times comes, and to hang in there. Nothing is certain in life and we can tie up all of the loose ends that we can, but there will always be road blocks, slow traffic, and someone trying to cut you off at the last minute. I really hope that everything works out for you.

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I have courses from way back in the day also. 1987 or so. My college doesn't know anything about them and never will.

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I have courses from way back in the day also. 1987 or so. My college doesn't know anything about them and never will.

Ah, well, I don't have that luxury since it's the same college I'm attending now! I told my dh, if nothing else, it's a good life lesson to teach our kids - don't screw around with your college classes, because it could come back to bite you in the butt! Believe me I had no plans as of then to be a nurse, and certainly not so much later!

Kelly

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Im ALL about the plan. and it never works that way. ive learned to set my sights on a goal that i really believe i WILL reach. and at the same time i have a few other things that i really care about. sometimes i feel further in one, sometimes another. But as a total type-A im less likely to feel out of control. plus, if you really want to be a nurse im sure youll find a way. minor road block.

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It seems the only real problem is your timeline. Sure go ahead and see if the stars align enough to make it work this time around.....but also prepare for applying again on the next cycle. Specifically for the scholarship....I imagine that the scholarship is very competitive.....why on earth would they extend the deadline when they probably have folks lined up for it already? It's fine to have a plan, but then life happens and you need to adapt.

If you altered your "plan" for next admissions cycle.....then you can apply for academic renewal, the hospital doesn't see your less than stellar grades and neither does the CC.

Trust me, I understand about having a plan.... I'm the queen of plans......but sometimes, the smartest thing about having a plan is knowing when to change it. What is that old saying again....something about Man plans and God Laughs ;)

Peace,

Cathie

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Specializes in CNA, RN Student.

Trust me, I understand about having a plan.... I'm the queen of plans......but sometimes, the smartest thing about having a plan is knowing when to change it. What is that old saying again....something about Man plans and God Laughs

"I TOLD GOD MY PLANS....AND HE LAUGHED" LOL, I love that one. I agree it gets very frustrating when things don't go in the chronological order you plan them but as I vented for the same reason to one of my best friends he kindly reminded me that even with Plan B- the end result is the same--you still cross the finish line and win.

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Thanks all! I figured at least someone could relate! I think there are two reasons it all particularly bothers me - one being that I'm not getting any younger (at 37) and we could really use the money from me working . . . I think if I don't get in this fall I might try to get a job at the hospital though, to help tide us over. Secondly, you can start nursing at our CC in January, only in September. So if it gets put off, it's automatically a whole year, which seems long to me!

I agree with the poster who asked why would they extend the deadline for the scholarship - seems like an extreme long shot to me too! But that's what the college recommended. I suspect the scholarship isn't as hard to get as some would be, it's through our local hospital, and it isn't a sought-after hospital. I just want it because I don't want to commute.

Anyway, I'll keep doing what I can, and it will work out eventually!

Thanks

Kelly

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"The best laid plans of mice and men often go arwy."

It seems like we're in similar situations. Good luck to you. It will all work out. ;)

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