Should I wait another year for a nursing program or look into private schools?

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Hi, I have been waiting for two years now to get into a nursing school that has ADN or BSN. I have finished all the prerequisites and have an associates in Liberal Arts. I have applied to the Los Medanos College nursing program last year and learned the hard way about their lottery system. I have applied to CSUEB, San Jose State, and LMC this year. I didn't get in CSUEB or San Jose State and waiting on the LMC lottery again. If I don't get in again, should I wait out another year? I'm beginning to look at Gurnick in Concord,CA and Unitek in Fremont, CA. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

your own financial and physical situation will help determine your choice, but consider online programs.

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I would apply to private schools for more options at this point. If you get in, then you can decide from there if it's something that you can do financially. Otherwise, you could be playing the waiting game year after year.

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There is a limit to how long you should wait. If you had a specific place on a waiting list and were just waiting for your number to come up that would be one thing. But it makes little sense to keep waiting on the chance of being accepted each year. Make something happen for yourself by checking out the other options. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

You may have better luck looking at schools out of state? I hear California is a tough place for potential nursing students. Best of luck to you!

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I feel you're frustration. I have applied 5x now and just got 2 denial letters. If I could afford private school I would do it. I have family that has kindly enough offered to help pay for private school but I just can't do it. It's insane to think people can get in the first time when there is people like us who have been waiting for so long. I'm sorry you're going thru this. If you can afford it do it. If not get on a wait list and one day it will be you're turn!!!:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Moved to Student nursing forum where you may get more replies

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Specializes in Telemetry.

What about applying to other ADN programs, like Ohlone in Fremont or Contra Costa College? Or Chabot? Napa Valley? Modesto JC? Merritt in Oakland? San Mateo? There are also a few ADNs in the San Jose area, like Evergreen. The price tags on those private schools are very high. If I were you, I would wait one more year and expand my application radius. Community colleges are so cheap!

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Next year maybe your year. My friend got in after 3 yrs. I don't begin applying until this fall but I am nervous as well that I will not get in anywhere so in the meantime I am a Health Science major at my school. Maybe you can find an alternate major that you can work on while waiting...that way if you do not get in next year you will be almost done with some type of degree. My school advisor insisted that I pick an alternate. Good luck next year:)

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I agree with previous poster that your own financial and personal reasons will likely determine your answer.

I, too, am waiting to get in...but I also have a full time job in another field..

The only silver lining of waiting is that maybe the glut of new grads will begin to get jobs in the meantime.

Good luck!

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i suggest u put yourself on a school that is straight waitlist like Solano Community College. It is about a 2 year waitlist but at least you know in 2 years that you'll be in. while you wait you could apply to other schools or do something else.

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