Hi all, this is my first time posting. Anyway, here's the run-down of my situation and I would love any advice or even just a fresh pair of eyes on what I should do next. I feel like I'm in a rut.
Last week, I just got my fifth letter of denial so I've been waiting 2 1/2 years. I know there are a lot of people out there who have waited longer than me but it is incredibly disheartening to keep getting rejected over and over again.
I'm 25 years old and I've always known deep down that I've wanted to be an RN, just like my mom. I know I will be a good nurse if someone will just give me a chance. I also so badly want to start a family but I can't knowing that I wouldn't be able to financially support them. Right now, I'm working as a scheduler for a local outpatient radiology company and before that I was a surgery scheduler for a vascular surgeon. I have my CNA license but cannot find any suitable openings at a hospital to get experience.
I live in Roseville, CA which is a suburb of Sacramento. We have four CC's around in this general area that have 2 year RN programs (which is what I'm looking for). I think where I messed up is that I was in such haste to get my applications out to those schools that I made the stupid, STUPID mistake of trying to take Microbiology and Physiology at the same time (at that point, you couldn't have any classes in progress at application time). Needless to say, I didn't do well; I got a B in Micro and a C in Physio. I did well in Anatomy, getting an A. That puts my core bio classes at a 2.93 GPA.
1)Sac City College requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in you core bio classes so I've never been able to apply there, no exceptions.
2)Sierra College uses this Chancellor's Predictor of Success equation calculating your cumulative GPA, English 1A grade, core bio GPA and # of core bio retakes. You have to have at least 84% to apply this last semester so I can no longer apply to them. Unfortunately, my cumulative GPA is horrible (2.5) because when I first started college, I was young and totally unmotivated which really screwed with my GPA and now I'm paying for it. Even if I were to raise my GPA to a 3.0 which I would have to take 30 more units to do that, it would still only put me @ 82%. FRUSTRATING.
3)American River College also requires a 3.0 core bio GPA but they are nice enough to accept my 2.93 GPA - this is the only school that I have been able to apply to so far, or so I thought...
4) Yuba City College is a four year waitlist. I had two separate counseling appointments at their campus and both times I was told I needed to have my pharm and pathophysio classes completed before applying to their program. Problem is, with nursing being so popular these days, all nursing pre-reqs fill up within minutes of priority registration. Notice I said, priority, I had never been a student there so I've never been able to get into those classes. Recently, I tried to see if there was any more room in their online classes so I could add them and the nursing department told me that they've never required students to have those classes done before applying. Since I've already waited almost as long as it would've taken me to get in, you can hopefully understand my anger and frustration.
My boyfriend is done with his school in Feb 2010 which would give me 2 more tries with American River College. If I don't get in, we're really serious about moving to the Los Angeles area. We're both originally from that area so it wouldn't be a culture shock or anything like that if we do move, my fear is that even though there are more RN programs down there, I'm still going to end up waiting because there are WAY more people down there too.
I have also been looking into Mt. St. Mary's College and I love what I see. My hesitation with that is since it's in the LA area, rent for us two is going to be sky-high. How many hours would I be able to work while in the program if I'm even able to find a job down there? Is that reasonable? How would I make it work to attend that college? At this point, I would rather pay the high cost for their tuition than to wait any longer. I haven't found any other private colleges that offer 2 year degrees like the Mount does.
What do you suggest I do? Any other avenues I haven't covered? I don't have a competitive enough GPA to get into Sac State. I obviously don't want to move if I don't have to but it's looking more like I have to each time I get denied. My mom has lupus and she's getting older and I really worry about her. She has a younger sister here but she has a serious illness as well and no other family members to take care of them if they get sick. I'm hesitant to move away from my mom which I think is understandable. Also, am I being unreasonable or impatient? Again, I welcome any and all advice or constructive criticism. What am I doing wrong?
Oh, and I can't retake physio to get a better grade because I know retakes look really bad. Why do they say a C grade is acceptable when in reality it's not?!?
I'm SOOOOO frustrated... I have everything ready to apply to the rad-tech program but I cannot see myself taking x-rays for the rest of my career. I want to do patient care. Being an interventional radiology nurse would be cool though. But I digress, what else can I do?
West Coast University doesn't require any sort of GPA, you just have to pass the HESI test to get in. There's 3 campuses, but they're all closer to the LA/Orange County area. However, there's NO wait list and you could probably transfer the courses you've already taken and then take any other ones you need at WCU. I'm renting down here in LA and it's expensive, but you can also take out some loans to help that. I believe they're only offering the BSN program now, but you're in and out in 3 years with NO prereqs.
Good luck to you!! I understand the frustration. I moved from MI to CA just so I didn't have to wait any longer on a wait list.
Trust me! I understand. I about had a heart attack when I heard the price... however, I don't have to wait any longer. I'm already a year through and I have less than 2 years left... if I would have waited on the list at home I STILL wouldn't be in a program. I can be in and out at WCU before I would!! So that makes it so that I'm making income as an RN sooner and I can start paying loans off instead of just waiting around making no income... I know it's not cheap, but for me its worth it and for some people with lower GPAs for whatever reason, it's worth it also. You can also try cutting some of the costs by looking for scholarships and grants. Also, west coast is only 3 years.. a lot of private or good schools come out to be the same price as WCU, certainly "out-of-state" tuition for a 4 year BSN program. One reason the price scares a lot of people off is because they come right out and say, "the whole program is $135,000" instead of saying, "the program is ______ per quarter or _______ per year" like a lot of other universities do.
I was just giving an option. I know WCU was the best thing that happened for me. I love it. :)
I retook a few science classes to boost up my grades, even took other general classes to boost up my GPA. It worked!! I was accepted to two city colleges on first try. Please don't give up! I doubted myself like you and it did not get me anywhere. Yes, your GPA may not be competitive enough, yes, there are other students out there who has better grades than you, but so what! Focus on yourself, have faith in yourself. Just as long as you could meet the criteria for the schools you are applying for, then go apply. You absolutely don't know what's planned for you unless you try. I would suggest you retake a few classes and/or take other classes to boost up your grades. At least meet the requirements for the schools, and work from there. Good Luck!
oh and if you and your bf should decide to move down to LA, there are many other city colleges here you can try. Some are lottery based,some are based on grades, I am sure you will find something. private school will be your last resort.
I finally, FINALLY got in at a local JC here... Phew! What a relief! I am soooooo very excited to start next month. I already bought as many books as I could and am reading/studying ahead.
Thank you everyone for your kind words of advice. Very sweet of you guys, I mean it!!! :redpinkhe
I want to know a few lottery schools in california. I am frustrated as well. I went to a csu for my 13 pre requirs. THe only reason i dind't get accepted was becuz of the teas test. I passed the cut off score for mostly all Jc's but for my school i need a score of 85 to be conpetitive and get in. I need to start thinking of other schools i can possibly apply to around california. I don't mind the move.
so I've been waiting 2 1/2 years. I know there are a lot of people out there who have waited longer than me but it is incredibly disheartening to keep getting rejected over and over again.
NICURN2013
88 Posts
West Coast University doesn't require any sort of GPA, you just have to pass the HESI test to get in. There's 3 campuses, but they're all closer to the LA/Orange County area. However, there's NO wait list and you could probably transfer the courses you've already taken and then take any other ones you need at WCU. I'm renting down here in LA and it's expensive, but you can also take out some loans to help that. I believe they're only offering the BSN program now, but you're in and out in 3 years with NO prereqs.
Good luck to you!! I understand the frustration. I moved from MI to CA just so I didn't have to wait any longer on a wait list.
Hope it works out!!