What did you do when you did not get accepted?

monkeykiss · May 28, 2009

Hi Wizzo,

Sorry to hear about your situation. But do you mind me asking what schools did you apply at?

WeirdNurseKelly, BSN, RN · May 28, 2009

Your grades sound better than mine did pre-nursing school. I am actually staying pretty steady in nursing school (grade wise) now. Mostly B's and 1 A.

I worked as a medical assistant, quit to go back to school full time. While I was going to school I worked part time as a care giver at an LTC. Kinda like CNA stuff.

When I didn't get into nursing school the first year I applied (applied to 6 community colleges) I quit my job as a caregiver and went back to work as a medical assistant at a large pediatric clinic.

I reapplied the next spring and got in. I will be through with my first year of nursing school on July 16th. I have a 4 week summer psych rotation.

You can go back and get your CNA, which I really reccommend. It will be so helpful during clinicals. You can work as a caregiver. They may pay more than minimum wage but not much. I know here in Oregon I was paid 9/hr as a caregiver, which I know is more than minimum wage. Not exactly sure what minimum wage is here. I have been paid more than minimum wage for a long time. I never keep track of it any more.

Good luck.

lunden · May 28, 2009

i stayed at my current job, did some traveling and reapplied a few years later, finally got accepted for the fall of 09, so don't give up

tfleuter, BSN, RN · May 28, 2009

I am applying for the fall, but if I am not accepted, I will take the co-req classes that I would otherwise have to take once in the program. If I didn't have kids, I would also take a CNA course and try to work as much as possible so I could save up money and gain valuable experience until I got in to a program.

Wizzo · May 30, 2009

I applied to Cypress, Santa Ana, CSULB, CSUF, GWC, and Saddleback. I might try and become an EMT for now because I took an EMT 100 course (which is just cpr and first responder cards) and it got me pretty interested in becomming an EMT. I might also try that CNA idea, I actually haven't thought about it. Thanks for the replies.

maggie24 · May 31, 2009

Well, I am in the same situation you are in, and I also did not have a backup plan b/c I honestly believed that I would get in right away. I applied to multiple CSU's across the state as well as jc's, and ended up on alternate lists or 2-3yr long wait lists.

I too have my AA (not much help in current job market for me either) and decided to go back and finish my bachelor's degree, (although I had already started my undergrad gen. ed.), while I wait for another year to get in.

this may be an option for you too, especially if you are "independent" student or 24 or older b/c there is a lot of grants and financial aid available from CSU's.

You can always choose to start another major like Health Science or Health Care Admin. as a backup

I'm also thinking about taking pharm and disease mech. at GWC, and possibly CNA after graduation with BS

CranialNerves12 · May 31, 2009

hi wizzo, i applied to csuf too, but i haven't heard back from them...did you apply for the el-bsn or el-msn program?

if i'm not accepted, i'll probably have to change my major. i have no idea what i'm gonna do....it's pretty scary. keep your spirits up, i'm sure everything will work out for you! all the best!

Wizzo · May 31, 2009

You know what's funny, I also believed that I would get in right away even though I've heard about the crazy waitlists and everything. I think I might pick up another major while waiting to get into nursing school or do the EMT thing. Not sure at the moment, but I have a couple of months to think about it. I'm an independent student so hopefully that would help with financial aide.

Also, I applied to the EL-BSN @ CSUF and I also have not received a letter or anything about it, but by looking at the odds - they're very slim. I did get into the school though, just waiting on the nursing letter.

On another note, the economy is really hitting hard for transfer students because I received a rejection letter from CSULB. It turns out that just applying to the school is now impacted. I have a 3.5 GPA and I thought I was a shoe-in to atleast get into the school. Guess not. =(

CranialNerves12 · May 31, 2009

i'm hoping to get into the bsn program at fullerton too! it doesn't seem as competitive as some schools that i hear about, but i'm sure it's still quite hard to get into. hope my good teas score helps balance out my average GPA.

wow. a 3.5 is very good. i'm surprised that you didn't get into the school.

it seems harder and harder to get admissions these days!

nkara, CNA · May 31, 2009

I would say go for the EMT route.... especially if you get into EMT - Cardiac. You'll be doing alot of stuff nurses do in the ED setting.. Iv's and assessments .... Good experience for when you do get in to the program.

Scooby-Dooby-Doo · May 31, 2009

Hi Wizzo. I think thats a very big problem for us California residents especially since most schools are so tough to get in. I too will be applying to some of the schools you said. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I will have a 3.8 GPA soon and I will start my applications to my nursing schools all over the state and as well as other out of states within the next months.

my goal is to get into a nursing program that is a BSN-RN. i will be graduating from a community college too with an AS degree as well but its not nursing though i'm almost done with my prereqs. my advise for you is to NOT GIVE UP! keep applying and all. well, maybe it depends on you too, like if you absolutely cant stay away from home due to many reasons. I'm going to be applying to 30+ schools, yes, I am very willing to chase my dream in becoming a BSN-RN and i will be willing to travel far for it. dont give up! keep going for it and it will soon come to you.