Waitlisted? Rejected? NEVER Give Up!

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I woke up this morning feeling inspired. My first thought was that it had to do with the fact that as of yesterday afternoon I found myself deciding between admission offers from two accelerated BSN programs I really want to attend. But I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s more due to the fact that despite my excitement with the news, I sympathize greatly with others who did not get in to the same nursing programs that have offered me seats. It’s heartbreaking to read the dejected posts of allnurses.com members complete with crying emoticons. Likewise, I sympathize as well with those who have been waitlisted – extending an already onerous wait for a final nod. It’s easy for me to sympathize because I too was there once before. Within the past year, I experienced both a waitlist and a rejection – from the same school. So I would have to conclude that my inspiration this morning is directed to those of you that are in the same situation. I feel today it’s my job to come here and try to bring you out of your rut … at least a tad. If that much, I then will feel that I accomplished something good today.

There’s no doubt in my mind that ALL of us have worked hard to get where we are today. Preparing to go to nursing school is not for the lazy or the faint-hearted. If the stars were aligned perfectly, there would be room for everyone to attend. Reality bites in 2011, and as it goes we must compete with one another to show our chosen nursing schools that we have what it takes to succeed in their program. Some schools only look at GPAs and test scores, while others look beyond the raw data with essays, recommendation letters or interviews. No matter what criteria a school uses, it behooves the candidate to place their best foot forward in everything they do. Nursing schools don’t have time to individually meet the hundreds of candidates that submit applications in droves every year. So paper and digital files must ultimately be our formal face to the admission committees.

I am also from the school of thought that believes that what’s meant to be for each of us will happen, and at the right time. Yes, I get nervous waiting for schools to let me know and I may have momentary freak-outs when I open that mailbox only to find store circulars and credit card bills. But quick composure dictates that my sanity remain intact. There is no point in stressing out over things that we no longer have control over. Think about it – isn’t this what we will have to help a patient realize once we become nurses? Our job will be to care for patients, and reducing stress – making them feel better – will be one of them. At some point we have to realize that we have done all that we could for our cause and now things are in the hands of others … and ultimately, the hands of a higher power. We don’t decide the right time for things, it happens in due course.

So, my friends – what is my message here (assuming of course I did not bore you so far and you actually got to this paragraph in one piece :D)? If you have been waitlisted, embrace it for all its worth – hang in there, they did not say “no!” The message is that you ARE worthy of succeeding in their nursing program, but for some reason they need to make room for you as opposed to taking you in right away. If the waitlist is exhausted and you did not get in, read on. If you have been rejected from a nursing program that you so really wanted to attend, make an effort to sit down and find out what in your application could make you a more competitive candidate. Will it be refining your GPA (through my prereqs, it was for me)? Retaking an entrance exam? A better recommendation (which in my case was monumental)? A better essay (yes in my case too)? Health care experience through volunteering or being a CNA? Don’t be ashamed of personally visiting the school of your choice and speaking to an advisor to let them know that you want in, and find out what will make you a better candidate the next time around.

Last night, I suddenly remembered something that happened almost 2 years ago that I had almost forgotten – understandably so because I think it was a bit traumatizing. I met with an advisor of an accelerated nursing program one day, who looked at my bachelor’s degree transcript and on the basis of that alone, told me flat out that I had a very slim chance of getting into their program because the average GPA of their entering classes was around 3.75 and my 3.2 was barely meeting the mark. Granted, I had yet to take A&P, microbiology and nutrition which were the last remaining prereqs for this program. So that year, I basically dismissed the idea of ever applying there. Yesterday, that same program offered me a seat in this summer’s class. Oh … that other ABSN program: the one that waitlisted and then rejected me last year? I reapplied and they accepted me 2 weeks ago.

People talk about programs being “impossible” to get in. I never believe that, and neither should you. People ARE getting in, why can’t you be one of them too? The two ABSN programs that accepted me within the past two weeks have these notorious reputations as well, but I got in! You will never know unless you try ... giving it your all!

If you want to be a nurse, don’t ever give up! Your desire is the path, but it’s your job to pave the bricks along the way! :up:

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Great article! I never took a chance and applied for other schools for fear of rejection.

I'm glad you did not give up and it paid off! Congratulations to you!:)

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In and out of a ABSN and passed NCLEX. The BIG challenge is finding the first job trust me.

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Specializes in none yet.

Congratulations for your accomplishment!. The messages on this site from Nursing Students may be very helpful to you all the way through your program. My wishes to you for success.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

Congrats!

I hope to get accepted to the ADN program I apply to this fall.

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Thanks for that uplifting and hopeful article! I've been waitlisted and am taking it like a rejection. I can not believe with a Bachelors degree (cum laude) and As in all my prereqs and good letters of recommendation, I was waitlisted!

On a positive note, the dreaded waitlist opened me up to exploring other options available. Still I WAIT!

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In and out of a ABSN and passed NCLEX. The BIG challenge is finding the first job trust me.

Well, way to put a damper on the spirit of the above article!! We all know what the job market is like out there ~ we are just trying to get past the first step of getting into a reputable program!! Please try to be encouraging for those of us who aren't yet "in and out of an ABSN" yet! :rolleyes:

For the OP ~ THANKS so much!! What an encouragement! I'm still in that waitlisted stage and working on some other applications, too. I'll get there someday! Hopefully, soon! Congrats on your acceptances! Good luck in choosing!:yeah:

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Thanks for your words! I'll try not to give up, but I know all the obstacles we face only make us stronger going forward. Sometimes it's tough for me looking at my friends who's in nursing school now or who have graduated && wonder why that was never me. I've always struggled but managed to pull through && I know we all have different paths we walk to get to our goals. I need to learn that life isn't a competition. Hope you do well on your journey!

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Thank you, Paco, for a well-written post. There is some luck that is involved with trying to gain acceptance to a program, but much of it is within OUR control.

Anything really worth having is worth fighting for (or applying for, over and over again!)

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Wow! Thank you for those inspiring words of encouragement! I recently was accepted into my program this fall. I believe what helped me was that I was always in front of her asking questions, and meeting with her and proving to her how persistant I am. I know the waiting is horrible. I waited for almost a year a half. Don't give up! I wish everyone the best of luck!

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Paco, your post's are very inspiring, thought provoking and so eloquently written !!! I thank you for your humerous insight to the world of student nursing; nerve wracking at times, yes, but delightful. You will make a fabulous nurse. I envy your fellow classmate's; I wish you were in my class!!! Yep, I said it... I recieved my "Congratulations! You have been selected..." letter yesterday for an accelerated BSN program. I'm still waiting for my first choice school but I am thrilled nevertheless (I don't want to jinx myself!).

I encourage everyone to heed your advice and, "NEVER Give Up!". :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

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Not discouraging...encouraging....you arent facing the toughest challenge. You WILL get in somewhere....don't worry about that part.

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