What to do? What to do?

jmgrn65, RN · Jul 13, 2006

Welcome and Good Luck.

jones21498 · Jul 13, 2006

I really feel for you and definitely understand your frustration. The passion is there but it doesn't seem to be enough, at least to the schools. You have obviously tried as you have said many of your classes you have taken twice in an effort to bring your GPA up. Do you have any experience in the medical field, CNA, care partner, environmental services, etc? You may give that a shot if you haven't. Not only will it give you experience that may useful on an application or in an interview process, but may give you contacts that may be willing to provide a letter of recommendation when you next apply. You might take other classes that will bring your GPA up, even if they are not necessarily prerequisites for your course of study. I'm not sure if any of this will help, but you might check into it. Hang in there, if you want it bad enough, you'll find a way to make it happen I am sure.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2006

I know this is probably not what you want to hear, but the science classes are killing you. They're the backbone of pre-reqs for nursing programs, and schools will take low grades there as an indication you won't do well in the core nursing classes. There are other students with higher science grades looking for the same spot, I'm sorry but that's just the way it is when it comes to the overburdened nursing schools of today.

I'd say to take those classes again, but you said you've already done that with most of them.....and still gotten C's.

What about a less competitive school, say an LPN program, not a degree program? Then, after 9-10 months and earning an LPN, you can take that to an RN program and potentially even skip a fundamentals course.

Might not be what you want to hear, but it's a viable option.

Best of luck to you!!

tookewlandy · Jul 13, 2006

Hello everyone. I'm new here and wanted to spill my guts. Gosh where to start. I am a pre-nursing student at ASU (Augusta State University) in Ga.
I applied to their program three time now. I received my letter in June I believe. I was put on the waiting list. I was happy and frustrated at the same time. At least I got on the well alternate list I mean. At this point I am very very frustrated. :angryfire Well beyond that to be honest. I applied at two other school and did not get accepted. I blame myself because fresh out of high school I started college and fooled around and messed my GPA up. I had to pull my gpa from 1.9 to right now it is 2.7. Nursing advisors are telling me maybe I should consider another major. That is so discouraging. Especially when you put your all into it.
A&P-C
A&p II -C
Micro-B
Eng I and II-C's
Psych-B
Soci-B
Communication-A
Hist-A
Political Science-B
Math-C
I guess the C's hurt me. I would take classes over again, but majority I have already taken twice. ASU fall semester starts Aug 21. I was informed I can be notified as late as Aug. 14 if I got accepted. I wish I knew where I was on the alternate list. But I just wanted to vent. Trying to keep the faith. Prayerfully I will hear something. Thanks for listening. Huh.

I was number 8 on the alternate list this year, and i did end up getting accepted. I just started school in January of this year after being out of high school since 1998. I was really naive on how the nursing school process worked. I just thought you go to school and chose nursing and thats it. i did not know that you had to apply separately to nursing and take entrance tests and yadda yadda yadda. So the adviser told me to plan on getting in in fall 2007, well I wanted to start this year. So after i thought about it i decided i was going to try and take the NLN to get in. They only chose 15 people from 2 combined NLN exams and over 100 people took the test both times. I took the test and did ok and got put on the alternate list. Well the whole time i thought to myself i am getting into the school this year, and did not give up my idea at all, no matter what anyone said. i prayed and knew god was with me down this on this journey and i kept the faith. Now thats what you have to do. I think because i wanted it so much, that is why it got in. So if you want to do this and you have a chance( your on the alternate list so you have a good chance) then keep the faith, call the school and ask them about the list every now and then let them know that you are still there and determined(thats what i did, not sure if that helped or not), and you will get in. Good luck

Andy

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2006

as another poster has said the fact is the sciences are important. if you barely understand the information (your grades and number of attempts suggest a lack of understanding), you will have trouble if you get accepted into asu.

if you do not get in, you might work as a cna or receive acceptance into a less competitive lpn program and work and study your way up the nursing career ladder. otherwise your counselor has a point, you might want to reconsider your career choices.

nursing schools and the field of nursing is not just about wanting to be nice and helpful to people. it requires a high degree of knowledge and skills. in addition, from what i hear, nursing schools require that you have a very good understanding of the science courses because the nursing courses do not review pre-reqs or re-teach the material. however, the instructors do teach the application of material you learned and emphasize critical thinking (this is difficult to do without a good background or understanding of the required science courses).

in any case, good luck to you and continue to have a positive attitude. most people have a good chance of being accepted if he/she is on a short alternates' list.

student to be in VA · Jul 13, 2006

Just hang in there. I'm on my school's waiting list too. At first it can seem discouraging, but it will all pay off in the end. I'm done with all pre-reqs, but I've been taking other classes in case I want to specialize. I agree with some of the other postings about either taking some classes again to bring up the g.p.a or looking at some healthcare careers that will keep you occupied until your wait time is up.

JaxiaKiley · Jul 14, 2006

While you are on the waitlist, You might try to retake some of those science classes one at a time where you can really focus on them and try to bring your grade up. Or, as another poster said, look into alternate paths like starting as a CNA or LVN.

Good luck!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

Hi, adurham!

Don't be sad! Being on the alternative list means you are in the program. You just need to be patient. You'll get a call eventually. If they don't call any of the alternates for this next class, the alternates are usually at the top of the list for the next class that starts. The hard part is the waiting! I don't think you need to be worrying about your grades because you are IN the program, kiddo. Don't be discouraged by what some counselors have told you. There are those times when you have to forge ahead despite what the professionals are telling you. The success stories of the world are loaded with examples of people who were told they would never "make it" in the fields they wanted to go in to and they proved their critics wrong.

Welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

kcmo06 · Jul 14, 2006

Hi, adurham!
Don't be sad! Being on the alternative list means you are in the program. You just need to be patient. You'll get a call eventually. If they don't call any of the alternates for this next class, the alternates are usually at the top of the list for the next class that starts. The hard part is the waiting! I don't think you need to be worrying about your grades because you are IN the program, kiddo. Don't be discouraged by what some counselors have told you. There are those times when you have to forge ahead despite what the professionals are telling you. The success stories of the world are loaded with examples of people who were told they would never "make it" in the fields they wanted to go in to and they proved their critics wrong.
Welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

all i can say is continue to pray prayer changes things

adurham · Jul 14, 2006

Thanks for all your replys! I will take all the responses in considertion. KCMO6 says prayer will change things. NO matter what the situation. I just have to have faith and believe. Thanks Much!!!!!

mrowe8 · Jul 23, 2006

Hi, I know how hard it is to work so hard for something and have someone tell you that "maybe you should choose something else that you don't want as your career choice." Don't let negativity over rule your desires. I have heard that before. But guess what? In August I will begin taking my Nursing II courses. "Mind over matter." If your desire is to be a nurse, roll with the punches and your prize will come:yelclap:

Monique