What to do after finished with prerequisite and not accepted into program

Sarah Bellum · Jun 7, 2005

I have been a CNA for 10 years I am also an EMT, have a certification in phlebotomy, and the last 5 years have been taking care of terminally ill patients along with a group of other woman we offer 24 hour private home care. However, I can not get in to the nursing program. I took the LPN and RN pre-nursing test, and just got the minimum scores. I will finish the 1 prerequisite I have left to take for the ADN program this summer, and not sure where to go from there any suggestions? I have done very well on all my courses and tests however, when I went to take the pre-nursing tests I forgot everything I froze up. I know I want to be a nurse and nothing else I have been caring for people for a long time, and well educated in the nursing field. However, I am 32 years old and a mother of three so the decision to go back to school was difficult now I am worried I made a mistake that took time from my children for nothing. I do not have the time to keep trying if I will never score high enough to get in. Any suggestions and/or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe freezing up on the day of the test was a fluke and if you retake it you will do better. Actually I would go as far as to say it is a near guarantee that you will do better. You know what to expect now on the test (questions, testing process, etc.) having taken it once. I would try again as soon as you can and maybe look at why you froze up. Was it the test or was soemthing else stressing you that day? Either way maybe try to learn some relaxation techniques and positive affirmations. If there was something else stressing you that day try to eliminate it and as many other distractions as you can the day of the test.

I hope you decide to retake the test. It sounds like you would make a really good nurse. Good luck!

Maisie · Jun 7, 2005

Try again. At my school 90% of students fail the first time. I know people who have taken it 3 and 4 times before finally scoring high enough to get in. Alot of these people are A students, who just became so nervous that they forgot everything during the test.

student4ever · Jun 7, 2005

Try again. At my school 90% of students fail the first time. I know people who have taken it 3 and 4 times before finally scoring high enough to get in. Alot of these people are A students, who just became so nervous that they forgot everything during the test.

I agree. Nerves can play such a huge part of whether or not you do well on a test. Relax, believe in yourself!!! You're so close to becoming a nursing student, and you have so much valuable real life work experience a lot of us don't have. The years you've put in so far will help you tremendously when you get in. You will have a lot of the basic skills mastered, and you have a good idea of what kinds of things you will be learning in school, and have seen a lot of procedures done so you have that knowledge on top of everything else!

Now for retaking the test. DEFINITELY go for it and retake it. But before you do, get a NET (or whatever form of pre-nursing test your school is using) study guide. Most of them have step by step explanations of the types of questions and what to look for to get the right answers, and for the math portion, they usually include an indepth review of the concepts needed to do well on the test. Study, study, study until you are confident that you know the material and types of questions you will have to answer. You have an advantage - you've already taken the test, so you know what questions were asked and what areas were difficult for you. The study guides usually have several practice tests included; study until you feel like you know what you're doing, and take a practice test, score it, and if you didn't get as high a score as you would like, study some more and take another practice test. Make sure when taking the practice tests to "mimic" the testing conditions - time allowed, quiet room, sitting upright at a desk/table (as opposed to on your couch at home), and have your significant other or children, whoever you have that can help make a little background noise like turning pages, clearing their throat, etc. I know that for me, those little noises made by other test-takers throws me off more than anything else. Practice until you're confident, and I'm sure your scores will improve. You sound like the kind of individual nursing schools are looking for - you have the passion and the drive to make it in nursing. Talk to the head of your school's nursing program and see if there is anything else you can do other than the test that will help your chances of getting in. Most of all, believe in yourself. You can, and you will get in and you will make a great nurse! Good luck, let us know how things go!

nursecher · Jun 9, 2005

I say go for it! You can do this. Once I am finished with my pre-req's I will be applying to 3 different schools in my area. The one school I am applying for will be an hour drive each way everyday. Are there any other schools in your area you could apply to? I have seen people on here drive almost 2 hours to school. They all say it is worth it in the end. Good Luck. :)

fmrnicumom · Jun 9, 2005

I agree! There are an abundance of schools here, but all are about an hour's drive each way. I have 2 kids, one is 7, the other 4 months (he was 12 weeks premature) so I understand how hard it is with kids, and understand how incredibly hard it is to be away from them. I have to remind myself it's not just something I want to do, it's also for my family's security - my husband's job is physically demanding and you just never know what will happen. Good luck! You can do it!

Tiffany