RIDICULOUS RULES!

Mrs.Priss · Feb 4, 2012

@cherry02 - that's what i'm having questions about. i think you are correct. i am going to call monday and ask them if i am eligible, and if not i am going to talk to the president of the school to see if there is a way to give me an academic fresh start without erasing the credits i have earned at this school since nobody informed me that even existed or advised m to do this when i first applied at the school. i know that may not be the rules but it never hurts to ask. i think if anyone can change the rules then the president would be the one to do it! :)

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Feb 4, 2012

... get serious sooner rather than later- Enjoying a few "wild oats" years puts you behind everyone who got serious when they were 15 and put their noses to the grindstone then.

Maybe not fair from your perspective, but true. Would you give up your fun party times then for a successful nursing career now? What would be your advice now to your ten-years-ago self?

Just curious. I was a nose-to-the-grindstone student and also worked during school to pay the tuition, and wish I would have taken a little more time for fun.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2012

you are obviously able to write a literate and convincing letter. take a huge deep breath, let go of the anger, and compose a business letter (no hyperbole, very few adverbs) listing the facts as you present them here to the academic dean of the college. offer references from recent faculty and personal connections (clergy, employer, other). make an appointment to see him/her in person to discuss it. it goes without saying, perhaps, but for others in your shoes who might be contemplating similar moves, dress nice: business attire, no sandals, no informal clothes-- a suit, minimal jewelry, very minimal makeup. the impression you want to make, both in writing and in person, is that you are of a mind to be a professional and have already made conclusive steps to be one.

the first thing you ask is what you can do to be seriously considered for a place in this year's class.

one option might be to ask if you can no-credit audit the classes this semester and if your appeal is granted to allow you to register for credit to take the place of someone who drops out (i can promise you there will be drop-outs in the first two or three weeks of the semester). if they don't have drop-outs by half-term, you say, then you will defer your efforts until next year. (the dean will know they'll have drop-outs.)

offer to retake the final exams in their classes (i know, you just took them already. take them again if they'll let you. it will be well-worth the study time.)

it may not get you in this year-- sounds as if the seats are full-- but it may work in your favor for next year. do they have classes starting in september? could you enter then?

i know it sounds like forever but you never know, and the time will pass anyway, and in ten years when you've had your license for most of them, you won't even remember a lot of this. you'll get there. good luck!

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2012

Fair? Who said it would be fair? It is an unfortunate set of circumstances for some that the poor performance of their youth lives on. It does for us all.

The rules of life, fair or not, will not change to be "fair."

Feistn · Feb 4, 2012

You know, I think this is a little unfair. We all know that we're much different at 28 than we were at 18. We were all pretty stupid back then, and we made mistakes. In my case, I failed music theory courses, and then I switched majors. Another factor for me is the fact that when I knew where I was laying my head and whether or not I would be able to eat, my grades magically became a lot better!

I know the schools would never call me up and say "why did this or why did that happen," but I would honestly tell them that while I regret my actions, I value how they've changed my perspective on things. For example, I was FAILING an ASL Linguistics course last semester, and I finished the semester with an A. Why did that happen? Because I've been in that situation before... not doing well in a class, and I KNEW what to do about it. I could either just give up, and considering I'm now paying for all my classes by myself, that wasn't a good option. Or I could gut it out and see what happened. I hired a tutor, I formed study groups, I found conversation groups, and I worked my butt off. I also helped the teacher any time she asked. Not part of the grade, but it never hurts at the end of the semester lest you find yourself "on the bubble."

My point is that I think failure is a fantastic teacher, and I can point to many people whom you would think are upstanding citizens who "have it together" and almost universally they can say "yeah, I had that one semester in college.... " My husband is about to become highly certified as an engineer, and you know what? He got straight up KICKED OUT of school for bad grades. And now he's an exceptionally skilled engineer. A couple of years slugging it out as a security guard gave him all the perspective he needed to go back and get it done. He was As and Bs every semester that followed.

Has it limited my choices in nursing programs? Absolutely. But I knew that going in, which is why I've worked so hard to keep a 4.0 average post graduation and to nail that NLN test to the wall, both of which I did. It's why I quit a good paying civil service job for a mediocre paying healthcare job.

The OP should not give up. If she really wants to go to nursing school, she will find a way.

Raviepoo · Feb 4, 2012

There is more than one nursing school. There is more than one road leading to your destination. Pursue the academic fresh start and DON'T GIVE UP. You may have to take an alternate route to your destination but you will get there. 30 is NOT old. You have time.

Asmorris · Feb 4, 2012

Congratulations on finding a calling that you are obviously passionate about pursuing. I am sorry to hear of your troubles but you cannot put these troubles on anyone but yourself. Yes it must be aggravating the way that this situation unfolded but your advisor sees exactly the same thing you do. Only if the question comes up (Hey I messed up a little 10 years ago, is that going to effect my gpa?) do they dig into your records to find out what is going on. You knew about your previous history and your advisor did not. It is your job to let them know about these things so they can help you.

As you go forward spread out your applications and be proactive in fixing this situation. You will not be permanently blackballed from furthering your education because of things that happened 10 years ago, but you can't do nothing and just expect everything to work out. Getting bent out of shape and pointing fingers everywhere is going to do nothing but put you further back. You have been working hard so keep you chin up and get everything straightened out so you can be accepted.

Dont get caught up in your age and immediate need to get on with it either. One or two semesters will not mean much once you get started in a career that you will love.

caliotter3 · Feb 4, 2012

I would apply to all programs within your geographical area and put my energies in this effort rather than spending too much time with eggs in one basket. It is true that lots of people fall through the cracks and nursing school personnel often miss giving appropriate advice. This happens to others in other programs, not just nursing. Just set this aside and move forward, pursuing other nursing programs. You will find your place.

ixchel · Feb 5, 2012

Let me be devil's advocate for a moment and point out that if you retook those classes in the beginning of your current schooling 'career', it would be 6 one way, half a dozen the other. You would still not be applying and getting accepted now because you would still be taking pre-reqs. Does that make sense?

I second the looking around for another program idea. I do not second leaving out the other transcript though. Your current school will list your old school's classes on your transcript, and you do not want a mark of dishonesty against you.

The policy At your current school reads to me as though you need to request the fresh start before starting classes at that school, and they forgive classes taken 4+ years prior, not current stuff. It's definitely worth looking into, but don't be surprised if it doesn't help your current situation. At the best case scenario, I would imagine it will get you wait listed.

I, too, had crappy grades in school. I'm 31 and I'm currently waiting for my acceptance letter. I know you're feeling the pressure of the clock ticking, but at this point, another 6 months to a year will not kill you, I promise. My gpa from my first semester in college was a 2.35 if I recall correctly. Thankfully the program I'm applying to indicated that they understand life changes for everyone. I included a letter with my app sharing a bit of my journey through the world academically and I hope they are forgiving. It helps that I've taken a boatload of credits in the last 2 years. My GPA overall (without replacing grades that I've retaken) is a 3.45.

It's taken time. It's taken a lot of hard work. I don't plan to be finished with school until I'm 37 (I'll have 2+ years of graduate work after taking a year off after getting a BSN) but that's okay. In my opinion (and please, no one take offense to this) someone who comes to their inspiration later in life is more dedicated, harder working, more patient, and overall, a better nurse because we have better focus and drive as a result of maturity and life experience going into it. Don't let this get you down. I would be upset, too, don't get me wrong. But, it is what it is and you can't change that. Find what you need to do next, and don't let semantics stop you. They may slow you down, but don't let them stop you.Be sure to update when you figure out a plan!

FLboundBSN · Feb 5, 2012

I would have had the same problem, only my student advisor told me about this. I was applying to a 4 year university and she said that because some of my classes from COLLEGE A were transferrable, my GPA stood as it was. (I, too, had some personal problems back in the day MANY YEARS AGO, did not withdraw formally and just stopped going to class. I was not aware of a proper withdrawl policy and figured, if I didnt go to class, it wouldnt hurt me. In fact, I got F's for those classes and therefore, it impacted my GPA from COLLEGE A). Had I not had any transferrable classes from COLLEGE A, I would not have had to let them know about that hot mess, but because I did have a few classes that I passed and that were transferrable, my overall GPA was impacted because of that hot mess GPA from COLLEGE A.

Advisor told me that I could talk to the committee, show them that I had medical reasons that I stopped attending these classes and may receive an academic forgiveness and have COLLEGE A's GPA not included in my overall GPA. I, too, am in honors, have a 4.0 now and if I could plead my case, they may have disregarded COLLEGE A's GPA.

I am only spelling out this information in case someone is in the same boat we were so they know what you can do. I chose to stay at my community college, but did go through this same scenario, so I know how it goes.

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you stated that you dont want to waste a whole year waiting for the program, when in fact, it wont be a year wasted at all. If you are going to a community college for your RN, why not start taking classes this year for your BSN. Get some of those silly prereq's out of the way. You could accomplish a lot if you go that route. I am hearing more and more that hospitals will only hire nurses with a BSN. We are not far off (I start clinicals in the Fall), so I have been pursuing my BSN and ADN simultaneously. I have only 2 prereqs to take for my BSN. Once I graduate with my ADN, I will immediately start my BSN online clinicals and will have my BSN only 3 short semesters after my ADN. Still, I end up with less than a 3 year BSN :)

Good luck to you!

Mrs.Priss · Feb 8, 2012

UPDATE: I went to see another advisor yesterday. Two of them actually saw me. They were unaware of my situation and were willing to dig a little deeper for me. They were very apologetic, sympathetic, and helpful. My GPA actually is NOT below a 2.5. after they average in my transfer GPA of 1.5 with my current GPA, it comes out to a 2.76. That is still very low. Even if I had a 4.0, after they combine the two, it would still only be a 3.0 or a little lower. They told me that this was a matter for the Dean of nursing and the Dean of the college and they DID have the power to change things! They told me that they have been talking about this issue and are still deciding on how far back they go to take tranfer GPA's aas far as applying for the nursing program goes. The ONLY thing I could do to have a better chance of getting in for the fall 2012 is retaking my HESI and making an EXCELLENT score. Which I plan on doing!!! :) I can earn at least 17 out of the 20 points that way. I asked if the Dean would be able to make shcnages for when I apply for the fall and tehy said she could, it wouldn't hurt to ask. I am the second person with this issue so far this year, so maybe since there is more than one person going through this, the Dean may make some changes sooner than later. I'm meeting with the Dean on the 20th. I plan on having my facts and emotions in check by then so that I can present a case that is worthy of making a change! Please keep me in your prayers! This has given me HOPE!!! It is a great feeling to have a door crack open enough for me to push my foot in it! lol I WILL BE A NURSE!!! AND A GREAT ONE!!!! :)

Mrs.Priss · Feb 8, 2012

I forgot to mention that I am NOT eligible for an Academic Fresh Start. Even if I requested one at the current college, it would not remove my grades/GPA from the previous college. I would have to go back and enroll in the previous college and complpete at least 12 semester hours with grades of C or higher before I woul be able to request an Academic Fresh Start from them. My only choice to remove that GPA (as far as I know now) is to go back to the previous college and retake those courses.