Rejected. Now what?

commonsense · Mar 7, 2012

So I was rejected from the school I applied to this year. I didn't have enough prerequisites to apply to any of the other schools in my area. Now I'm trying to put together a plan for how to proceed.
So far, my plan is to re-research other schools and take more classes. I'm looking at some EMT or CNA classes to see if I can get more work experience, but I'm not stoked about the idea of working in a nursing home as a CNA, or driving an ambulance. I know there are some EMT's who work in hospitals. I'm also going to meet with the school I applied to to find out why I was rejected.
But mostly I feel discouraged about how much time I'm having to spend in school. What are other people's plans?

Rejection happens, it's part of life, the only thing you can do about it is to respond to it, positively or negatively. The good thing is that you were rejected because you didn't have enough of the prerequisites done, not because of GPA. If your grades are good then keep up what you're doing, it will happen eventually. Good idea with the CNA/EMT work experience, that should help you get accepted into school and obtain your first nursing job. The only additional piece of advice I have is to apply everywhere. Take the prerequisite classes (they are generally the same for every nursing program, give or take a few) and send out your application to every single school you can find in your area, this just increases the probability that one will accept you. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

cally527, RN · Mar 7, 2012

I suggest speaking with someone from the nursing admissions dept. of the school that rejected you. Find out what you can do to improve your chances of being accepted. Find out what may be casting a negative shadow on your application.

All nursing programs are competitive and there are usually a large amount of applications for a small amount of spots.

agldragonRN · Mar 7, 2012

they kept putting me on a waiting for the rn program in my community college. after 1.5 years of waiting, i got tired and applied at the local vo-tech for the lpn program. finished it and worked one year as an lpn (made 60k) and started my lpn-rn program. it took me longer but i got to where i wanted to be.

good luck to you. keep striving for your dreams!

MK84 · Mar 7, 2012

The good thing is that you were rejected because you didn't have enough of the prerequisites done, not because of GPA.

Actually I did have all the prerequisites done for this program and got all A's.

Maybe I should have been more clear. I meant to say it is the only one I applied to because I didn't have enough prerequisites to apply to OTHER programs.

@cally527 I'm going to meet with the dean in 2 months. They won't be available until then I'm told.

@agldragonRN - are there a lot of job openings for LPN's? What do LPN's do?

leenak · Mar 7, 2012

I applied to one school and also wasn't accepted. I know the general reason was my lack of recent experience. I am looking into volunteer activities to bolster my experience. I've also been looking for CNA programs as well but couldn't find anything local starting soon. The CC program conflicted with my schedule previously and also cost $1k so I wasnt sure if I wanted to take it.

cally527, RN · Mar 7, 2012

The most important thing to remember is not to get so discouraged that you give up. There are many paths to becoming an RN. See if any of the hospitals near you offer diploma programs. Or you can apply to a LPN/LVN program, get licensed and then take the bridge program to get your RN. Glad you have a meeting with the dean, make sure that you make up a list of questions you want to ask and bring it with you!

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2012

Actually I did have all the prerequisites done for this program and got all A's.
Maybe I should have been more clear. I meant to say it is the only one I applied to because I didn't have enough prerequisites to apply to OTHER programs.

You indicated that you are not sure why you were rejected. Hmmm...are you sure your application was complete? So many times rejections happen because the applicant failed to submit a complete application. Nursing school applications have many requirements, and some will go so far to state automatic rejection if incomplete.

Also, if it's a community college, their waitlists can be long. If admission was determined on a point system, do you know how many points you had vs. the average number of points for students usually accepted?

@cally527 I'm going to meet with the dean in 2 months. They won't be available until then I'm told.

Did someone tell you to meet with the Dean, or did you call to make an appointment without telling them the purpose of the meeting? In my experience, you just need to speak with an admissions counselor to review your application. Maybe try that first.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 7, 2012

I know it may not help right now, but just remember, the "rejection" was not personal - they did not see your name and say "Oh no! Can't let that one in". It really is not about you as a person. Seems like you may be already doing it, but it's important to shift your focus to upgrading your qualifications so that they are a close match to that group who were accepted. Your goal should be to make sure you are at least comfortably in the the middle of the pack - not just to meet the 'lowest accepted' ranges. This should set the tone for your meeting with the dean.

In all of our lives, we will have far more 'failures' than 'wins'. It's important to not only cope with failure, but to learn from it each time. This makes you a much more resilient person; less susceptible to stress; supports an optimistic world view.

lalopop86 · Mar 7, 2012

Keep on keepin' on. I was rejected twice before I finally got into a nursing program. It happens and it's competitive, but I'm sorry you got rejected. My advice is to pick one school and just focus on their pre-reqs and apply there until you get in. Just because you are a CNA doesn't mean you have to work in a nursing home, but any experience is better than none if that's what schools look at. Keep your head up and keep trying!

nguyency77, CNA · Mar 7, 2012

Actually I did have all the prerequisites done for this program and got all A's.
Maybe I should have been more clear. I meant to say it is the only one I applied to because I didn't have enough prerequisites to apply to OTHER programs.

That's really strange. I think there have been other factors they considered. My school is a little vague on that matter, too. They don't say exactly what they look for other than GPA.

GPA is the number one factor at my university, but rumors say students who:

1) Are of American Indian heritage

2) Have parents that did not attend college

3) Are from rural New Mexico communties

... have an advantage over those who don't.

Let us know what they say.

I'm trying to avoid this problem right now, too. I am taking anatomy labs just in case. That way I could apply to CC.

Best of luck :)

MK84 · Mar 7, 2012

What does CC stand for?