What if I don't get in???

laura06baby · Dec 16, 2008

Hi

I am also a second degree student and I am applying to one program only...I hate they all have different prereq or some have wait list. Anyway I believe that if you have good grades you will get in. If not...the only advice I have maybe you can become a CNA and work in the field until you are accepted...or maybe do that already before you apply...when is your deadline?

I am applying for August 2009

hth

mzahnow · Dec 16, 2008

hi there

yea pre-reqs are killer being all different from university to university. I'm applying for summer or fall 2009 depends on what university we're talking about here. I've applied to four schools so I'm praying one of them works out. Where did you apply to? Oh and thanks for the advice.

CharmedJ7 · Dec 16, 2008

I'm kind of in the same boat, it's really hard to know how competitive one is for direct entry since they all seem to be looking for different things and the requirements are really broad. I applied to 7 schools (UCSF, Yale, Columbia, U Rochester, Seattle U, Boston College, Northeastern) so I'm hoping at least one comes through for me. If not, my immediate plan would probably be to apply to another school up in here in Canada that is only GPA based for admittance and will get me a BSN in two years, or.... well, me I'd probably spend a few months doing stuff I want to do but won't have time for during school (travelling or something).

After that it would probably depend on why I didn't get in (if the schools would tell me). I'd probably do another anatomy course as well as looking into getting some healthcare experience, maybe as a CNA or medical assistant, or maybe volunteering abroad since they often let you do a lot more.

Here's hoping it doesn't come to plan B though... :)

Amanda1985 · Dec 16, 2008

I've only applied to 1 entry level masters program so far and for Fall 2009. This is my 1st choice school so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Oh and I applied to Drexel ACE for Fall 2009 but they are still reviewing my transcripts.

I am also applying to OU-Glendale for Summer 2009 and Samuel Merritt for Fall 2009.

I guess I should apply at more schools? :confused:

My backup is to apply at the community college and put myself on the LONG waiting lists here in CA.

sunray12 · Dec 16, 2008

I'm only applying for one school for Fall 09. If I don't get in there I'll be ready to apply for my backup in Jan '10. The schools have different prereqs so I can't apply for both at once.

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 17, 2008

Before I applied to nursing school (I applied to 1, but was literally days away from applying to two more before my acceptance came), I decided to volunteer in a hospital. It was very boring sometimes, but I got a chance to really watch people working in the field. Working as a CNA might work, too. A lot of hospitals offer CNA training, free if you promise to work for them. I'd imagine the training would help you adjust to interacting with patients.

WantAccel.BSN, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

I worry a lot about that too. I'm kind of putting the majority of my eggs in one basket, as I'm getting ready to move back to my home town where they only have 1 Accelerated BSN program that only accepts...wait for it...10 PEOPLE A YEAR!!! I am working really hard to get the best possible grades, and I'm going to work really hard to prep. for the TEAS test, but after that, it is really out of my hands. Personally, if I don't get in after the first try, my plan (of course, after having a good cry!) will be to work as a CNA, and to start taking classes to make myself eligible for the local ADN program. Their program is very competitive too, though, so either way it might take me awhile. Frankly, though, I know that this is what I want to do, and I figure eventually I will get into one program or another. If my husband and I tighten out belts, working for a few years as a CNA should hurt us too much, and as far as the local CC program is concerned, working for a solid year as a CNA II gives you a passive amount of "points" in their prioritization tool. I'm like you though, I really can't stand the thought of working at my current job any longer than I absolutely have to (another 5 1/2 months :)).

Good luck to you!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

Hi all,
Well here is my question...I am a second degree student and have applied to several nursing programs. I am thinking positively, but what if I don't get into any of the programs? I need to have a backup plan. I don't really want to be stuck at my same job for another year. Is there any advice as to what I could do in the healthcare field? Maybe getting more experience and applying again next year? I currently have a B.S. in Business Administration but I do want to start more of a hands on career in healthcare. Any suggestions?

My plan B was to get EMT certification. In my area, it's a 10 week course and costs about $1,200. Work as an EMT, reapply to nursing school. If I still wasn't accepted, I would go to paramedic school, 13 months for $10,000, work as a paramedic and reapply. There are paramedic to RN bridge programs, so I figured once I got that far SOMETHING would work out.

You could also do a CNA-LPN-RN path as well. In this case, you'd probably be more likely to find an employer who would help pay for your continuing school. This was my original fall-back plan but I decided that the EMT-Paramedic path would be more interesting to me, and as a paramedic-RN I'd have PHRN certification.