What Should I Do???

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I recently applied to Baker College nursing program and received my denial letter a couple of weeks ago. They go by a point system, my GPA is 3.92 and I had a Net score of 69. The net score is what kept me out. If I reapply to start in the fall I get a bonus point, plus I can retake the net to raise my score. My question is I was accepted to Respiratory Therapy at MCC. I am not sure if I should start this program or concentrate on studying for the NET and reapply to nursing.

Sorry if this is long. I am really confused as to what to do. My heart is telling me go for nursing, but reality is I need to start working soon. I know if I start the RT program it is very demanding. I would still apply for nursing and I guess I would just drop out of RT if accepted to nursing. Any advice would be appreciated.

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If nursing is what you really want, then go for it. You'll probably always regret it if you don't. And really if you already know you would start the RT program then just drop it for nursing anyway, then what's the point of wasting your own time and money?

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How old are you? Do you have time to "dabble" in RT and see if it's actually your cup of tea? Is it competitive to get into MCC's RT program (I have no clue)? What if you reapply for the nursing program and don't get in for the next cycle either? You have a lot to think about when making this choice.

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If you are young and don't have a lot of responsibilities go with the "follow your heart" stuff. But you said you need to start working soon so I assume that's not the case. If I were in your shoes (I have responsibilities) I would enroll in the RT program and restudy for the Net whenever I had time. If I ended up getting into Nursing School next time, I would make the decision then. With this economy you should take a sure thing if it is available for you.

Sometimes people seek the Hollywood ending of reaching their dream or their ideal scenario when it's not necessary to have an enjoyable life. If you end up an RT you'll probably like it, have a stable job, and free time to spend with friends and family. That sounds like sucess to me. The key is focusing on your positive achievements (RT School). I know that I always dreamed of making MLB or even the minors. I failed at both. Now I'm in my 30s, play softball and love the life I have.

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I would also like to add that, although you may (or may not) already be in the medical field, just getting in there and having experience with patients and the whole hospital setting (if that is what you are intending to do) can only help and add to your knowledge base.

I think that allnurses has a few threads on RT to RN. Perhaps you can check those out for some insight?

I think that if I were in your shoes, I'd go the RT school route...just to get into the trenches, and then I would keep on trying to apply to nursing school.

J, I wish you good luck with your decision and with school. Perhaps I'll see you in the E building at MCC this fall.:wink2:

Take care, Hoot

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Go for your dream! Remember Baker is not the only school. I looked into Baker and did not feel I was getting honest answers to my questions so I applied elsewhere. I was accepted at two other schools.

My daughter had many problems with Baker College not giving her correct information with regards to her program.

Follow your heart.:heartbeat

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I agree with basketcase, with that high GPA you could have gotten in at alot of other places even with that same NET score. You would have been accepted to wayne county for sure whos lowest GPA this pass semester was a 3.7 and even lower the semesters before that. But follow your heart..

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This may come across as a bit strong, so apologies in advance, however:

As a soon to be RT classmate of yours - I know how hard I had to BUST my butt to get into the course - just as you did. I know many RN students that "hedged" their bets by applying to both programs - part of the game I guess.

However, if you TRULY want to be an RN, I think it would be terrible, if not horrible, for you to take an RT class spot of someone whom may be in your shoes yet wants to be an RT as bad as you want to be an RN.

This is why I hope Macomb forces people to declare a program. It is terrible to waste the other RT student's time, study partner time, the instructor's time, resources, etc if you only go into the program with one foot into the RN program and a willingness to jump to RN at a given moment.

I do not envy your decision, I had to make the same one - but I did so BEFORE I began and I went hell bent for leather into RT.

Just my two cents.

P.S. See you in 11 days!! :eek:

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Can you retake the Net in the Fall and reapply for spring start? I thought Baker had a fall and spring. Have you called the Nursing director and asked what the lowest GPA/NET was for being accepted in Fall 08 so you can get an idea of what you will need for the NET?

I would go with what ever your gut feeling is and what program most interests you. I understand where you are coming from about needing to get back to work. If you really are interseted in Nursing I would work on the pre-reqs for MCC in the fall and take the Hesi, that way you are still in the loop for nursing but have 2 options to apply to.

I recently applied to Baker College nursing program and received my denial letter a couple of weeks ago. They go by a point system, my GPA is 3.92 and I had a Net score of 69. The net score is what kept me out. If I reapply to start in the fall I get a bonus point, plus I can retake the net to raise my score. My question is I was accepted to Respiratory Therapy at MCC. I am not sure if I should start this program or concentrate on studying for the NET and reapply to nursing.

Sorry if this is long. I am really confused as to what to do. My heart is telling me go for nursing, but reality is I need to start working soon. I know if I start the RT program it is very demanding. I would still apply for nursing and I guess I would just drop out of RT if accepted to nursing. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Home Health Clinician.

I have been thinking about this since we talked about it before. On one hand, if you like it and stay with it, you know you made the right choice. If not, then not only do you spend your money on something *not right* for you, but you started in a spot that could have went to someone else. Not that you should be thinking of everyone else, but just a consideration.

If ultimately, you are going to go ahead and become a nurse instead, I would just wait.

Hijack here, what is WCC's prereqs? I am trying to gather as much info as I can on every program in the vicinity. LOL

Oh and J, did you get the link I sent you??

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.

i say pick nursing, i'm bias though, i can't stand trach secretions lol i graduated from hfcc and i don't remember exactly what the net tests passing score was but i was like two points above it and had no problem getting in, i asked if i should retake it to raise my score and they told me they don't look at the score, they just see if you passed or failed. personally i didn't see what the NET had to do with nursing anyways, one of my questions was "on a multiple choice question which answer is most often right: a,b,c,d" what???

p.s. that gpa is awesome, u can get into a ton of other programs. try some of the hospital run programs, like hfcc has a sister program through henry ford hospital in detroit thats accelerated but uses the same instructors and everything. maybe that will get you the money you need quicker lol. GOOD LUCK!

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