I was having a pretty nice day today, up until I got that dreaded email. I just dropped everything and almost cried. The three years I had spent at San Diego State University seems wasted. I've completed all my GE requirements and I was just waiting to get accepted so I can further my career path. I've worked hard to earn a cumulative GPA of 3.432 and I passed my TEAs with a score of 85, but I guess that was not enough. I was denied with the same mechanical message, "We regret to inform you...". I'm completely distraught and I've got little will to fix it.
Leaving high school, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to help people in need and hence, decided to pursue nursing. I hadn't a CLUE about what type of nurse I wanted to be, but I know it was within a hospital setting, involving the task of facilitating the care and emotional welfare of patients. I haven't looked much into possible paths because I figured that once I got into the school of nursing, I would be given the opportunity to specialize and what-not.
I'm so confused and depressed now. I'm not sure what I will/can do next. I expected a standard 4/5-year university experienced before earning my degree and working at the hospital.
I'm really confused beyond belief. I want to earn a Bachelor's in Nursing Degree, but I will settle for a quick ASN to RN degree and then work my way up. Would you guys happen to know any other university or colleges in San Diego that I could send my application to as well...?
If you guys can, please give me some advice as to what I should do...? Is waiting the best option? I'm just afraid of investing another year of hard work and a ton of money, only to be rejected once again... I'm really afraid of spending anymore time in college than necessary due to current financial and home-life circumstances. How long does the typical nursing student wait?
I apologize for such a hectic post but I'm quite shaken up.
In my experience, high GPA and test scores were important, because it is so competitive. I agree with posters recommending finding a way to increase GPA. If you do not test well, then you will have to fix that. Tutoring and testing until you knock it out of the park. You can get your CNA quickly and get a job quickly which I think would go along way in helping you get accepted as well. It is important that you don't stop trying if you truly want this. Nursing is hard work. Very hard, stressful, high burnout. Use this time to strengthen yourself (to not give up, but find a way) so that when you do become a RN, you will be handle anything! Good Luck!
It really is crazy how competitive some of these programs are. Ours is the only RN or BSN program within 4 hours driving time so it is very competitive. I'm lucky to have moved here for my husbands job, no long commute for me! They only accept 36 people 2 xs a year though, because of limited clinical spots.
It took a long time and it's been a struggle for sure but I'm so glad it's worked out the way it has. OP, I hope things work out for you too. There are lots of people here who have been down (and still there) the same road as you. I hope you can take comfort in that, pull yourself up and keep truckin!
Have you considered moving to another state, in which there isn't such a high concentration of students trying to get into nursing school? Transferring your credits to a college in which it's easier to get into the BSN program.
I've considered that a number of times, but I really don't want to leave everyone here. I'm afraid my studies will begin slacking even more so with the new environment. I also can't leave my family, as they're trying to make it through some rough times right now.
I'm going to see if I can get a CNA degree to pump up my application, or at the very least, see if it'll make any difference. I still can't shake this depression, but it's a little bit more tolerable than it was yesterday...
Do you guys think I would be better off transfering to a community college and get wait-listed? I'm at the point where I want to get in so bad that I would rather get an associates at a community college despite the 1-2 year wait list as opposed to the possibility of never getting anything done at SDSU...
I'm really confused about the whole transfer process.. Every school has different requirements and course numbers (No reference pages either..) that I don't even know whether I QUALIFY or not... I'm also afraid that I'll have to retake many of my courses if I choose the wrong colleges, etc... I'm going to have to contact each and every one of them individually and go from there it seems.. It's just a daunting task. I don't know...
This might seem really melodramatic, but I didn't want to wake up this morning. Also, I keep checking my email, I don't know why. I guess I'm expecting some ludicrous email that says they've made a mistake.. I know it's not coming, but I can't help it. It's really hard to collect the motivation to study for finals when I know I'll be more than likely, sitting around next year instead of doing something I really wanted...
I'm guessing your area is extremely competitive because with scores like that you can get accepted to almost everywhere you apply where I'm from. I may be mistaken but it sounds like you only applied to one school? You gotta cast a bigger net in order to increase your probability of getting accepted. The next thing to do is work on getting experience e.g CNA. This will make your application enticing to the programs, along with maybe getting your GPA up as well. Don't waste your time on getting stress out because you have other **** to do. You got rejected from one school, so what? In life you gonna get rejected from other things, what counts is how you react to the rejection. To that end, a rejection is an opportunity to get better, so get better.
@Distraught_Concerned - you did the best you could and that's all that you can do. Its insane the amount of competition for BSN programs. Apply to all the community colleges's associate degree programs, other BSN programs see who takes you and take it from there. You might not make it in time for fall semester as most of the applications were due in February. So possibly spring semester. In the mean time get licensed as CNA so you can start working make some connections, contacts while you're waiting to start school no point in wasting monies taking misc classes you dont need.
I went the associates route to RN and accepted to my dream RN-BSN school, so all that's missing is job:) anyways just saying don't disregard the AAS it still gets the job done. A friend of mine didnt' have the GPA for RN so she went did LPN then transitioned LPN-RN, graduated RN and now doing the RN-BSN. GOOD LUCK. Where there's a will there's a way so you can do it.
@Distraught: You know your goal, you just need a way to get there. So, develop a plan... or rather several plans, a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C. There are many paths to becoming a nurse, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. One of the cheapest ways is a diploma program or community college; but the drawback is you may have a tougher time finding a job than someone with a BSN. But, if you go all four years to a university it may cost you twice as much (or even ten times as much, depending on the school). Figure out a few ways to get to the RN and work on them.
Ask questions. Find out if credits transfer before taking classes. It might be a lot of work and time to figure out what schools accept what courses from other schools, but it's a whole lot easier than retaking classes. So, if your Plan A is to attend a four year college; focus on that; put together the strongest application you can. But, while you're waiting, or if you get rejected, you can fall back on your Plan B, which might be attending a community college. If that doesn't work, you can attend a hospital diploma school. Applying to different programs should give you options.
You say you don't want to move, but leave that option open for sometime down the road. Talk to your family and see how they would feel about you moving. Most people would never want to hold back a loved one from pursuing their dream.
Disappointment can be crushing. It's an adjustment period, just like with any loss. It's OK to wallow in your misery for a few days, but doing so longer is crippling and self-defeating. Since you feel better today than you did yesterday, it's a sign that you'll shake this feeling and that you'll get on with life and your obligations.
To OP, all is not lost. You can still apply for MSN programs. All they require is you complete the pre reqs and have a GPA above a 3.0. Some schools require the GRE. They're competitive, but hey your GPA looks good and I think if this is what you want to do, you should go for it.
There are plenty of MSN programs in California. I suggest you apply to them.
The only way you will know what classes transfer is if you find a school you would be willing to go to and call the advisor directly and see which of your prereqs would transfer. Just because they have different course numbers doesn't mean that they won't transfer. I go to nursing school at a public university in Texas. And your gpa and qualifications would have surely gotten you admitted into the BSN program that I'm in. If it really is your dream to get your BSN, I think you really should look at moving to another area or state to go to a program that is less competitive, but is not less accredited or qualified to give you a great education... I know it will be hard to leave friends and family, but if you decided to move back after, it would only be a for a couple of years. Once you are in the actual nursing school, you have 2.5 years left before graduate. Really not that long. Just something to think about...
DSkelton711
312 Posts
In my experience, high GPA and test scores were important, because it is so competitive. I agree with posters recommending finding a way to increase GPA. If you do not test well, then you will have to fix that. Tutoring and testing until you knock it out of the park. You can get your CNA quickly and get a job quickly which I think would go along way in helping you get accepted as well. It is important that you don't stop trying if you truly want this. Nursing is hard work. Very hard, stressful, high burnout. Use this time to strengthen yourself (to not give up, but find a way) so that when you do become a RN, you will be handle anything! Good Luck!