Shattered hopes.

Published

So yeah, my title pretty much expresses how I'm currently feeling. Yesterday I had an appointment with a councilor at my school who is basically checking to make sure that I'm academically progressing at the school. They had to make a revised action play for course studies as I personally modified the original one when I first enrolled due to some classes being filled before my registration window opened up.

Well to get to the point the councilor basically told me I need to change my major as they find that all the schools in southern California are too impacted and full and that I have very little chance of getting accepted into a nursing program. When I heard this my stomach literally fell to the ground, but I didn't let on that I was suffering considerable disappointment as I find the fact that I wouldn't get accepted as a reflection in myself.

Anyways I currently have a 4.0 GPA with around 30 transferable units completed. This includes Physiology and Anatomy, but I haven't taken Microbiology yet. I don't know if I should follow the advice of this councilor and change my major, or ignore it and pursue what I want to do.

(rant over)

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Your counselor is right that many schools in California are severely impacted. That's why I didn't bother - I only applied to schools in other states. However, 4.0 GPA is pretty darn good. If this is really what you want to do, it doesn't seem worth giving up. If you've got a strong application, you've got an edge up on getting accepted. Plus, you could look at programs in other schools. Yes, it can be more expensive because you'll either go to a private school or pay out-of-state tuition, but the option still exists.

"The schools are impacted" just doesn't seem like a good reason to give up.

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Yeah, I guess I'm a bit annoyed the way the councilor came off. I already knew that there is lots of competition for the nursing programs in southern California, but I feel they should have given me a chance, or create a game plan for a similar major that might use a lot of the same preq's like biology, or I'm not really sure if there are any lol. If my grades were bad and I lacked the ability to be competitive I could understand this stance but I was feeling good about myself, and I focus a lot on my studies to maintain high GPA, like keeping 100% attendance, and doing every piece of extra credit that may be assigned or available. Grr, I'm sorry for ranting lol.

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Hello panic,

May I ask what region of Southern California you are in?

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Haha, I live in Long Beach

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So I'm going to assume that you attend CSULB or a community college in the Long beach area.

Your counselor is correct that CSU's are extremely and the competition is extremely intense but I think she's making an early call when there are still many factors to consider.

- If you're planning to attend a CSU, these are the classes that are most often looked at (although they do vary per university):

Anatomy: A

Physiology: A

Chemistry: ? Don't know what grade you got

Microbiology: A

English Composition: A?

Public Speaking: ? Don't know what grade you got

Statistics: ? Don't know what grade you got

Critical thinking: ? Don't know what grade you got

Assuming that you ace all those courses, you will remain a 4.0 student!

- Another thing that nursing schools look at is your TEAS score. Since you've only taken about 30 transferable units, I'm assuming you haven't taken the test yet.

- Some schools take into account previous healthcare experience or volunteer work.

- Other schools even go as far and consider "economic" and "environmental" hardships and will give you extra points if you fit the criteria.

Pretty much what I'm trying to say is that you haven't even done some of the stuff that is required before you apply to nursing school and he/she is already making assumptions about how little your chance is to get in. I know plenty of 4.0 students with great TEAS scores who got into CSULA, CSULB, and other CSU's... I'm not saying you're going to have a guaranteed a seat in a nursing program but I think it's too early to knock you out of the competition.

You stated yourself that if you were someone with low grades or a history of withdrawals, you could understand why she would suggest you go another route but I think your 4.0 speaks for itself.

Have you repeated science courses or withdrawn from any classes?

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Very nice post, I appreciate all the information and your insight.

I actually have had an academic renewal at my CC, and it was from 12 years ago when I dropped out when I suffered a loss in the family. I'm an older student now, late 20's, and perhaps she based her opinion on that, or the fact that I'm male. I know that she made her opinion before she pulled the files, so I don't think it had anything to do with my transcript. Also, I was told the school I'm attending as a partnership with CSULB, and since I actually live in Long Beach, I supposidly get higher priority.

Right now I'm doing a Plan C, and I'm not sure how other schools do it, but this is basically a pre-nursing transfer option for both CSU's and UC's. It is harder since the UC's have a bit stricter guidelines on the classes they accept, but it makes me feel good about having more options.

I've done pretty much all of those with A's except for the Microbiology, Chem, and Comm(public speaking), haha I think the public speaking course scares me the most out of all of them since I carry a lot of anxiety ^_^.

Anyways, I think I wont give up on it, and go for what I want. I don't think it was fair that I was judged so prematurely, and as long as there are classes being filled, there is a chance for acceptance.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Wow! It is hard to believe that highly qualified students are being turned away... but the 'rush to nursing' that surged up in '08 shows no signs of abating. There are just too many applicants for the educational pipeline in most areas of the country. If moving out of state for your education is out of the question, there aren't too many other avenues to pursue.

Have you looked at any other health careers? Frankly, most of them that have similar educational requirements are associated with a much better career trajectory than nursing. Nursing salaries are stagnant, the workload is becoming brutal - and with an ever-increasing supply of newbies chomping at the bit.... it doesn't look like this situation is going to change any time soon. If hands-on care is your thing, you may want to look at PT/OT fields. Entry is Master's level, but you can become a PTA (salary roughly equivalent to nursing) with bachelor's degree. If you're interested in the 'sciency' aspect, Laboratory science is a great field.

If going to school out of state is an option for you, check out New Mexico. Last year, I noticed that the UNM nursing program was actually advertising for students!!!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm a native Californian, born and raised. However, I relocated out of state to attend school and establish my nursing career. I realize that relocation is not an option for everyone, but I do not see California's class offerings or nursing job market improving anytime in the near future.

Anyhow, you do have options. Although you have a 4.0 GPA, click on the link below to read about alternative options if you are not wanting to move out of state. Good luck!

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/i-want-nurse-916987.html

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I never really took a counselors words to heart. They jump the gun most of the time. Maintain that solid GPA and research each program you'd be willing to apply for and try to hit all the criterion points. Do your thing, study, apply everywhere and consider it an experience wherever you go, even if it's not a desirable location

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If you really want to be a nurse, your grades say you do, then keep going. I am 41 and I just got accepted into the nursing program in my area. I do not have a 4.0 but close :)

You can go to another region of the state. Do not be discouraged by what the councilor is telling you. Of course nursing is impacted just like everything else right now. Do not let this person sway you. Move if you have to but don't give up.

I have been told by so many, you won't get in, it is too hard but I keep plugging along. I received two AS degrees and now I got into my program and passed my TEAS. I am still scared of nursing school but I will keep at it until I succeed.

Please do the same!

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Ah you guys are awesome! I appreciate all the information and feedback I've gotten back.

I think I'm going to ignore this councilor lol. Because after thinking it over, it's really like jobs. People complain that jobs aren't out there, but they are. They might not be the job we want, or the location we are trying to stay in, but somewhere out there is the availability to continue forth. I may not get the school I want ( UCLA ) or the Backup school I'm trying for ( CSULB ), but at this point, I'm going to ( when I'm done with all my prereq's lol ) apply to every school possible, and keep my chin up, because as long as I keep myself competitive, I think I'll find a spot somewhere. :)

Though, I'm wondering.... Lots of people say only become a nurse if you want to get your RN. However, I know simply becoming an RN by means of ADN or BSN, wouldn't satisfy me. Is it to want to be a nurse, but at a masters or doctorate level? I'm really interested in ARNP programs, and CRNA programs. I was told that if this is my desire, I shouldn't go into nursing and try and aim for medical school. I however do not care about being a 'doctor', I just know I like to help people, and strive for the highest level spots in that field possible.

Anyways, like I said, I appreciate all you guys for the support and info. Coming to this conclusion is difficult as any major change, or taking classes that wont end up being applied to my major is considered to me time and money wasted ( besides those liberal ed courses of course ).

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