Waitlist Vent/ Frustration

[SewVintage]

I have been on the waitlist for nursing programs a two colleges for a year and a half now. They keep on adding pre-reqs, and since I was not actively taking classes at the schools at that time, I was always the last to know. That is frustrating enough, but when I learned about something else, I about went into orbit.

There were two CNA's at the home I work at (I am also a CNA) that got turned in multiple times for various things (most common was "being rough with residents" or "using inappropriate language in front of a resident" and one even violated HIPAA!). Well, I recently was told by them that they both start clinical rotations for nursing in the fall at one of the schools I applied to. What. The. Heck. They even told me they were surprised they got in because they got C's in all their classes. Meanwhile, all I have in my "CNA File" are commendations from families for going above and beyond, I am never harsh with a resident (if I get angry I either walk away or count to ten), I had 86% or better in all my classes, and I do volunteer work, but I am still on the waiting list because when I got put on it I was not actively taking classes at the school!!

A dejected part of me wants to give up at the thought of those two getting in and me still being on the waitlist, but my "inner push" (and everyone I know) tells me I need to become a nurse, if for nothing more than to lead by example/ put a little more balance into the "good nurses" side of the scale. I even had a coworker, who I call my yoda because she is who I go to for advice, offer to buy me a car and pay for half my tuition if I promised to be an RN within the next three years. (I said no).

Urgh, just wanted to vent.

[nguyency77, CNA]

Aw, I'm sorry you've been waiting so long. My aunt waited THREE years before she got into her ADN program. I know it's frustrating, especially when you say you're seeing people who probably would not make very good nurses be in the program. Are there any other places that you could send your transcripts to and wait? Hang in there! I'm sure you'll get in soon.

[Hope63]

Wow, you are having to overcome obstacles but after reading your post I have no doubt you will succeed ! "Everyone" are right, it sounds like you are a caring, compassioate CNA with a love for nursing and that is exactly what our profession needs.

So take whatever additional classes you need and make a visit to the nursing office at the school at least once a month. Keep your face and name in their minds and you will be accepted even sooner.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress :yelclap:

[DowntheRiver]

Have you spoken to someone at the school about your issues? If so, what do they say? When did those students apply and when did you apply?

[NIKI2286]

Never give up on your dreams! Check with the school, it nevers hurts to ask. Good luck

[tas026]

You know that you are a great CNA and that you will one day make a great RN! Contact the school about what you could be doing to make your chances better over everyone else.

Also, some food for thought: do you really think that your co-workers will succeed in nursing school if they are the way you describe? Nursing school is hard, and if they openly talk about putting minimal effort into their classes, how can they expect to do well in even more challenging classes? I can also guarantee that if they behave the same way on the clincal floor as they do at their jobs, they will be in a lot of trouble. Instructors risk their license for students to learn on the clinical floor. No instructor is just going to let things slide. I'm not saying that someone can't turn around and do well after doing not so well, but seriously? Why would anyone "brag" about getting into nursing school on crap grades? And who would treat an elderly person like crap? I know that I personally would want to be able to say that I worked hard to get into nursing school! Who knows, maybe one day you will be their boss as an RN and they will be kicking themselves in the butt for wasting their opportunity!

[SewVintage]

Have you spoken to someone at the school about your issues? If so, what do they say? When did those students apply and when did you apply?

I have spoken to the Nursing Admissions officer, and she says that the more pre-reqs/ co-reqs people take at the school (versus other schools), the higher up they go in the waitlist. Meanwhile, the CNA's that I work with who got in applied 6 months after me.

Like I said, they kept on adding pre-reqs and notifying the students that have been there the longest first.

[Feistn]

Would it be possible to take other courses to be seen as a "current" student? I get that schools want to admit their own students, but this is kind of ridiculous. Is there a way to point that out to the admissions folks without sounding catty? Like "I respect the residency rules, but you should know that it is resulting in this happening." Get facts if you can. Like you know someone who was admitted with a 2.5 and you have a 3.8 or whatever.