What do I do if I don't get accepted?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 12, 2017

Apply once you meet at least minimum entry standards. Apply to every program you qualify for. If you're not selected, you then have a choice of not reapplying or reapplying again. If you're going to have some significant amount of time between application attempts, check/double check each program's prerequisite retake policy. If retaking a class or a group of classes won't hurt your application, you can then reapply. If not, carefully select the courses you want to retake and go for it again. One thing to be very well aware of is that if your current school does not allow you to retake a course because your earned grade is too high, you'll have to retake the course at another school.

This would be the case if you took A&P, earned a C, and the program desires a B in that subject, and the school only allows retakes for D/F grades or after a given lapse of time, you'd have to retake the course elsewhere.

That's the kind of stuff to be well aware of. Know the rules for what you may and may not do for course retakes and follow the rules to the letter. It very well could make the difference between being accepted and being rejected even though your "new" grades may make you appear to be an ideal candidate otherwise.

lorias · May 12, 2017

Don't worry about how old you'll be. You'll be that age no matter what you do. I'm 46 and will start the nursing program this fall.

WCSU1987 · May 12, 2017

29 now started prerequites 6 month's after turning 28. Applied to two programs this year. Was hoping to be accepted into a program by the time I was 30. Didn't happen number 100 of 106 on the Waitlist. First week sulked, cried, questioned the meaning of life, and so forth.

Then tried to figure out what is next. I could do an accelerated BSN program, but my head probably overload. I set myself up for failure not great taking in so much info in such a short time. So decided to apply to a BSN program and two community college programs again.

Depending if I receive a grade lower than a B-, need B+ for the CC Programs super competitive, I will retake my AP2 class. If anything below C+ for my Micro will retake it. Look at what your school's take. Call them up see what the average is for the previous year of applicant's and what the school accepted.

I am probably going to take the TEAS again it's only needed for the CC. I struggled with AP2 questions actually brought my score down. Hopefully with AP2 knowledge in my brain can bring the score up. Look again at the average TEAS scores where you are applying.

If you don't have a degree yet. With all your prerequites under your belt look to see if you can obtain an Associates Degree and apply for a BSN program. Also any classes below 75 would suggest retaking so you can transfer those classes to other program's.

Best of luck!

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · May 12, 2017

I'd stop worrying about your age. There are no deadlines you have to meet other than the ones you set, so be more flexible. I'm 37 and just finished up my pre-req's and starting to apply.

My advice:

Apply to more than one program. If you don't make it the first round, make changes to become a more desirable candidate.

Try again.

And finally, have a back up plan.

old_bean · May 12, 2017

One thing to be very well aware of is that if your current school does not allow you to retake a course because your earned grade is too high, you'll have to retake the course at another school.

Oh right, I forgot about that. I'll make sure to check the rules for my school before I retake anything. Thanks for the advice.

guest517 · May 12, 2017

You should not worry about your age but realistically we all do no matter how old or young we are. If we aren't where we feel we should be career or academically in life, we tend to beat ourselves up. So don't feel alone because we've all been there at one point or another. Also, which route are you going for nursing ; BSN or ADN? No matter which program it is, apply for it instead of assuming you won't get in. If you are not admitted to the program in the case of applying for a BSN , then go to a local community college and apply for the Associates of Nursing program , their rules tend to be less restrictive and find out whats the retake polices are. In our school you can only repeat a course once. Next, you should meet with a nursing dean and find out exactly what the steps are to being accepted in the program, this would put your mind at ease so you know exactly what needs to happen before you can apply for the program or if you've already surpassed the requirements and can apply as soon as possible!

Good luck,

Routing for you :)

old_bean · May 12, 2017

I'm applying for a BSN. ADN seems like the better option right now though, so I'll apply to any programs that I qualify for.

Thank you for the advice and encouragement

Silver_Rik, ASN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2017

I'm starting my ADN program at 50. When I first went to an admissions advisor at my #1 choice school, she looked at my grades and politely suggested that I apply to their LPN program as a "backup" and then look to do an LPN-RN bridge. Later during advising conference, we were told that LPN-RN bridge applicants have a much better success rate getting admitted because they are applying for accelerated entry (skipping 1st Fall semester) and only competing with other LPNs and ADN students who failed out and are trying to get back in. Also, LPN-RN bridge at the programs I looked at want to see things like references from your LPN program and work experience. New entry ADN programs I looked at only cared about GPA, test scores, and pre-reqs

More experienced people here may advise against this route, but I think it's better than going to an expensive non-accredited ADN program, and even an LPN is still a very employable credential despite what some people will tell you.