So frustrated and discouraged - kinda long.....

metricalpound · Nov 30, 2011

Not to sound cliche but there may be a silver lining to your cloud.

I understand that you wanted to get the prereq's out of the way and it must be frustrating that you are going to have to wait another semester to start on some of them.

But, if you are accepted into the accelerated BS program, you will probably graduate at the same time that you would as with the ASN in Nursing (most accelerated BSN programs are about 18 months, while most ASN programs are two years after prereqs) Also you will graduate with a BSN in Nursing which is most esteemed than an ASN. Also, another plus, is that there is usually less competition in getting into an Accelerated BSN program than an ASN program.

I'm a second degree student and I'm going for an ASN and I have one more semester left of it. I could of have went with accelerated BSN option but schools in my area that offer it are out of my price range.

The people at my school are very clear about what you need to graduate but they were vague in how to get into the program. Most of the information that I got, I had to look up online and had to constantly remind myself of when things were due. It was frustrating but it was very much worth it when I was accepted - I love Nursing. =D

Anyways, good luck and try to think positively. =)

merlee · Nov 30, 2011

Ask for an appt with the dean. Ask what you may have done differently, and ask how the system might function more efficiently for people with your background.

And ask whose head should roll for giving you shoddy information.

Glad I did this 30+ years ago!!!

flying_ace2 · Nov 30, 2011

Thanks for your reply! This school is very disorganized and unclear about their requirements and programs - when I took them my transcript in the summer, I was told that I could seek entry into either the 2 year BSN or the accelerated BSN. This school has been one constant source of frustration - I had to "clear" student health and submit a current transcript before I could register. Well I submitted all my records to student health over two months ago, didn't hear from anybody, couldn't get anybody on the phone/through email to tell me if I was "cleared", and finally had to go over there to find somebody to talk to in person, just to be told "oh yeah, if you submitted your paperwork two months ago you were cleared then". Then I had to submit a current transcript to register, which I did a month ago, and after my conversation with them today I feel like they didn't even look at it. They said today that if they had known I already had a degree, they would have let me know that I couldn't take anything until fall of next year. How can you not know I had a degree already when I had to send you a transcript showing that I already had a degree????? :banghead: Believe me, trying to get straight answers from anyone over there is like pulling teeth - there is no information on their website, they never answer the phone or return calls, and they don't return emails. The only times I've gotten information was when I physically went over there and had to hunt people down to talk to. I'm trying to think positively that the reason all this is happening is that I'm going to be accepted to one of the other schools and I can just write this place off!!!

mindlor · Nov 30, 2011

I would write the place off. I got accepted to Columbia Univ in NYC in the accelerated BSN-MSN program, went there and left before the end of the first week for many reasons. One of those reasons was their level of disorganization. I was very disappointed...

I am going to reboot that plan but with Vanderbilt this time, hopefully it will go better.

So the moral of my little anecdote is, do you really wanna go to this school?

Cuddleswithpuddles · Nov 30, 2011

Hello flying_ace2,

In my opinion, your experience with this school is not typical of the nursing school admission process. The process is indeed confusing especially since there are so many entry points into nursing. However, the closed-off nature you describe is not normal or acceptable. I may even go as far as to say that it is a sign of a poorly run school or a school that may not respect the challenges their students go through.

The general tidbits of advice I have for you when it comes to the admission process are...

1. If you are transferring to different schools, check with both the counselors of your current school and your prospective school. I have been misled by both at times but cross-checking definitely helped me. Your current school counselors may not have the most up-to-date information on outside nursing programs. The prospective school's counselors may not know what the best way to fulfill your prerequisites at the school you are currently attending. If your prospective nursing school programs have their own "in-house" counselors, even better. As you have already seen, going straight to the source (sometimes in person) gets you the best answers.

2. Try to get things in writing. Ask your counselors for some sort of written plan of attack for the courses you need to complete, a copy of policies, procedures, deadlines etc. This way the whole she-said, he-said pucky can be kept to a minimum. If a school cannot produce clearly written guidelines for prospective students, that's a red flag.

3. Consider delays a blessing in disguise. There have been many delays in my quest to become a RN but I took them as opportunities to gain more work experience, review on my own, meet students in the current program and get tips from them, volunteer and take care of my health. Ultimately, I would not have changed how my life has turned out. Timing was perfect because I made it so. I came into the RN program stronger and more confident than I would have been when I wished I got in.

Good luck!

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2011

I'm not in the states, but why can't you just apply to another university? Or apply to one earlier via external learning?

Down here, we don't have a degree to get into nursing - we have one degree, BSN course that's it, to become a RN.

And what is so bad waiting till autumn? Can't you just do extra training or go work in something else to get some money together? If ur young it won't make much difference anyway.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2011

I'd go back and ask again and talk to someone else. They could have given you incorrect information, or out of date info.

glencovediva · Dec 1, 2011

I very fortunate in that I had no problems with my nursing school, & I was a 2nd degree student who'd been out of school for several years. I graduated with my BSN in 2005. Originally I wanted to do an accelerated program, but a very knowlgable nursing school recruiter discouraged me from doing it. I was glad I took her advice. I heard those accelerated programs are tough, and not very many students are successful, especially if they have other commitments like work. Good luck

ukjenn231 · Dec 1, 2011

When I decided I wanted to be a nurse, I applied to an ADN program. I got accepted, but in the meantime decided that since my goal was always to get a Bachelor's, I would just apply to the BSN program instead. I was very naive to how competitive nursing school was, so when I got accepted to the ADN program, I declined.

I found myself two years later, getting rejected from the BSN program twice and then later rejected from the same ADN program. I was incredibly frustrated but didn't give up. I kept applying to schools in other towns, networking at the university I was currently attending, and my prayers were answered when I finally got accepted to a BSN program.

So... I am very glad I stuck with it, I love being a nurse, and in the meantime I took advantage of opportunities such as working as a CNA in a hospital and finishing all my support classes.

Don't give up!

flying_ace2 · Dec 1, 2011

Hello flying_ace2,
In my opinion, your experience with this school is not typical of the nursing school admission process. The process is indeed confusing especially since there are so many entry points into nursing. However, the closed-off nature you describe is not normal or acceptable. I may even go as far as to say that it is a sign of a poorly run school or a school that may not respect the challenges their students go through.
The general tidbits of advice I have for you when it comes to the admission process are...
1. If you are transferring to different schools, check with both the counselors of your current school and your prospective school. I have been misled by both at times but cross-checking definitely helped me. Your current school counselors may not have the most up-to-date information on outside nursing programs. The prospective school's counselors may not know what the best way to fulfill your prerequisites at the school you are currently attending. If your prospective nursing school programs have their own "in-house" counselors, even better. As you have already seen, going straight to the source (sometimes in person) gets you the best answers.
2. Try to get things in writing. Ask your counselors for some sort of written plan of attack for the courses you need to complete, a copy of policies, procedures, deadlines etc. This way the whole she-said, he-said pucky can be kept to a minimum. If a school cannot produce clearly written guidelines for prospective students, that's a red flag.
3. Consider delays a blessing in disguise. There have been many delays in my quest to become a RN but I took them as opportunities to gain more work experience, review on my own, meet students in the current program and get tips from them, volunteer and take care of my health. Ultimately, I would not have changed how my life has turned out. Timing was perfect because I made it so. I came into the RN program stronger and more confident than I would have been when I wished I got in.
Good luck!

Thanks for your kind response! I think that's a great idea to speak with councelors at both schools - now I have an appointment to speak to one at my current school next week, but, as usual, I can't get anybody on the phone at the nursing school. ARGH. I have gotten everything in writing from them so far, but they have not been able to produce a clear "road map" for their program - the only thing they have been able to give me thus far is a list of the prereqs I had to complete. They won't even tell me what their required pre-nursing classes are, just that I have to take them to be considered for admission to the nursing program! This stuff is obviously raising red flags, but I'm scared to just pass over this potential opportunity to get the BSN. I feel like it would be a mistake to limit my options by not even trying to get into this nursing program, but now I'm not sure, given the lack of professionalism and transparency in their program, that it's even a good school to start with. I don't personally know anyone that's been through the program, but I've talked to others who have a friend that's been through it. They've all said that the nursing program itself is wonderful, it's just the administration that doesn't have a clue. Regarding your tip #3, my boyfriend and I had a long conversation about that last night, and I think maybe this is all happening the way it's supposed to. It will be nice to have a break from school, and hopefully I'll get hired somewhere quickly and be able to save up some cash for when I am accepted somewhere. It would be nice to be able to see myself in a year or two and know that everything turned out alright!!! :)

flying_ace2 · Dec 1, 2011

I very fortunate in that I had no problems with my nursing school, & I was a 2nd degree student who'd been out of school for several years. I graduated with my BSN in 2005. Originally I wanted to do an accelerated program, but a very knowlgable nursing school recruiter discouraged me from doing it. I was glad I took her advice. I heard those accelerated programs are tough, and not very many students are successful, especially if they have other commitments like work. Good luck

I've heard this about the accelerated programs too, and I will definitely have to work while in school. I know that I'm capable of making it through such a program, but I would like to complete a two year option because I think the slower pace will allow me to really learn everything better and develop my skills instead of trying to cram in a bunch of information because the program is so short. Also, and correct me if I'm wrong, it seems like, after hanging around allnurses, established nurses feel like people who complete longer programs are more competent and confident than those who rush through nursing school (although they still have a LOT to learn )? I think that it's difficult to truly learn how to be a great nurse, and I'm not sure that flying through an accelerated program would be the best option for me.