What's next when you receive rejection letters

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 12, 2015

Well what do you want?

You want to be a nurse do what it takes.

What is wrong with the ADN route?

Yes 25 is young so you decide how badly you want to be a RN and then do what it takes to get there.

Took me 2 years to get into a program so had over 6 rejections applied to more than 1 school.

The first year I didn't get in I retook my A&P classes for higher grades.

Got into a ADN program then when I graduated I work LTC then online RN-BSN now working in a hospital.

If getting rejected from nursing school makes you want to give up then you weren't meant to be a nurse

If getting rejected makes you seriously look at yourself as an applicant and you work on yourself and grades to improve your chances so you can get in, then perhaps nursing may be for you.

How badly to you want it? Nursing school is a lot of work, gotta be willing to work to get in to school too

RescueNinjaKy · Mar 12, 2015

Well, I did adn, and you're right it's hard to find a job as an adn rn but it's possible as long as you're willing to relocate. I'm gonna head up to north Dakota to work as an in patient acute care rn while I complete my bachelor's and guess what, I'll be a great candidate when I'm done because I'll have my bsn and experience.

In this nursing economy experience is key and even bachelor's degree rn are finding it hard to find a job due to experience. But as you can see with my path, it all works out. If it's your dream go for it, usually the things that matter don't always have instant gratification. So you just need to ask yourself, is this what you want and are you willing to do it.

You can say you want to be a nurse and it's your dream all you want but if you don't do it then really you're just thinking, and it wasn't your dream after all. So get through your inner monologue and just do it

Nurse-One · Mar 12, 2015

Don't give up! I was in the same situation you were in, especially GPA wise.

I got in where I could, as you can see getting accepted is a challenge because of the competitiveness.

While on a wait list to get into a BSN program at my college, I was able to finish all my co-reqs. Even when that was over, I was

still waiting. I took another route, I applied for the LPN program that was about to begin in my area I started immediately. Been an LPN for 5yrs making more money than I would have waiting for God knows how long. (I worked as a CNA and Unit Secretary)

Now I'm one exam away from being done with my RN program. Yeah it's 5yrs later (time, money delays) but I've build up so much nursing experience and now working for an insurance company away from the bedside- I was burnt-out from bedside nursing.

I'd suggest applying for the ADN program. Or check out LPN programs. Some nurse hopefuls don't even consider that an option but the LPN position is not to be underestimated. Just get in where you can for now. Not sure what your living situation is like but moving (although not easy) may be beneficial. Oh, I would stop letting coworkers about your nursing school status because of the exact experience you are going through. Although unintended, some people's reaction can become a downer

towards an already challenging situation.

Nursing is very versatile and before you know it you'll reach your goal.

ScientistSalarian · Mar 12, 2015

Is there any way to boost your GPA? I know most ABSN programs go with whatever GPA you earned your bachelor's with but 2.9 seems like it's going to be kind of of a hard sell. You could definitely investigate the ADN route and then bridge ADN-BSN later (which btw can be done in much less than four years) but be aware that many of these programs are incredibly impacted and just as difficult to get into as BSNs. I know of a few programs that progress from CNA -> LVN -> ADN, maybe that would be a less-competitive way to get your foot in the door.

And there are LOTS of medical careers out there that involve direct patient care and aren't insanely saturated with applicants: pharmacy, radiology, respiratory/physical/occupational therapy, the list goes on and on. I'm not trying to discourage you from nursing, but you should be aware that there are many solid options out there worthy of your consideration.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do :)

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 12, 2015

What do you do after you receive rejection letters? First of all, you don't give up. Second, look at the paperwork and see if they didn't accept you because you weren't qualified. You want to be a qualified applicant. This means that you've done all the work and you could have been chosen. Then what you do is you look at your coursework to see if there's anything you can do to maximize the chances of getting picked next time. If you're a qualified applicant, there's often little you can do, but perhaps look at other parts of the overall package. If there's extra points/consideration for volunteering or something like that, consider doing something to help that out if you haven't already maximized your points in that area. Fourth, keep an eye on your next application deadlines and apply everywhere you're qualified. BSN is a good place to be, but ADN will also get you to the NCLEX and to an RN license.

I'm the posterboy (almost literally because I'm a guy) for rejection letters. I received 13 of them over a span of 4 years. I applied to every program that I was qualified to attend, were open to me as a student (I already have a Bachelors so some programs were closed to me), were affordable (~$85k not affordable), and close enough to reasonably commute to. In other words, I could only apply to 2 programs. I applied a total of 15 times over 4 years and those last two (#14 and 15) resulted in acceptance letters. I didn't give up even in the face of considerable pressure to do so and change to something else. I graduated from nursing school in May 2014 and I'm now going through orientation in an ED, my first nursing job.

You just don't give up. Just don't get stale either. Keep doing stuff to keep learning while you're going through the wait to get chosen. There's something to be said for people that are persistent.

tabitaf · Mar 12, 2015

I really appreciate all the great feedback everyone! It was a great moral booster! I am very dedicated to wanting to better myself and like you have mentioned I need to look at the overall package and see where I can improve and how I can move forward making myself that much more desirable as a candidate. I feel like at this point in my life, with my struggles and trials, a rejection letter is just another opportunity for me to go back to the drawing board to better qualify myself. It was really inspiring to hear everyones story and advice! Thank you all very much!

feeneishia · Mar 12, 2015

I just appreciate you posting this, because I have two applications to fill out this year. And I never really sat and thought about what if NEITHER program accepts me. If that happens, I will just start doing some more classes at the school where I want to go to nursing school and wait another year. Thanks for your honesty. Good luck.

eroc · Mar 12, 2015

Life is not always straight down a planned path.

I was a 9th grade high school drop out.

At 36 yo I decided I was going to be a nurse.

I got my pre-rec's and things didn't go exactly as planned. ( I had great GPA)

Long story shortâ€¦.I got my ASN from a non-accredited school (salutatorian)

Entered a RN-BSN programâ€¦.graduated ( Magna cum laude)

And now after two years as a RN work in a CVICU.

Life can be tricky, but it has it's rewards if you keep you head down and you keep pushing forward.

So don't give up.

lindah10 · Mar 12, 2015

Don't give up. Go for an ADN and continue on for your Rn to BSN. Do it! Then get your MSN and become a nurse practioner! Dont give up because the road of life always has bumps-deal with them positively-look at them as learning experiences!!!! Good luck!

CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P · Mar 12, 2015

Don't be afraid of the ADN to BSN path! I'm currently pursuing my ADN while working full-time and it isn't easy, but in the end I will be a nurse which is what I really want. I plan to then follow the paths of several of my friends who did exactly that. The work experience gained during their time as an associate degree nurse and the flexibility of the jobs they chose allowed them to pursue the BSN without a lot of sacrifice. Plan to work swing or weekends while you go for that BSN, but all-in-all, it is a good way to go.

Destin293 · Mar 12, 2015

Like everyone else said, don't give up. Where there's a will, there's a way, and I firmly believe that. I was in a similar position a few years ago and I recently graduated from an accelerated program. My 1^st degree GPA was terrible (around a 2.9â€¦maybe a little lower). I also worked while attending school (2 jobs totaling 45 hours a week), plus was active in my sorority, residence hall council, volunteering, completing an internship, and being a TA. No wonder my grades suffered! When I decided a few years after graduation to return to school for nursing, I was pretty much told, Good luckâ€¦your grades won't let that happen.â€

I ended up researching nursing schools like crazy. Every nursing school within a commutable distance was up for consideration (as well as some I'd have to relocate to) and I looked at all the admission requirements, what type of students were admitted, what my realistic chances of admission were, etc. I spent hours researching a bunch of different nursing schools. I finally narrowed it down to 2 schools â€“ one was an ADN the other was an ABSN, one required the TEAS, the other the HESI. My pre-req GPA was high (3.93), but my previous GPA was low. I thought for sure I would get into the ADN program â€“ the acceptance rate was 50%, I did well on the TEAS, I was 100%, absolutely POSITIVE I was inâ€¦and then I received the letter saying I was rejected (it was a punch in the gut, for sure). At that point I did not think I would stand a chance at the accelerated program, but a couple months later, I received my acceptance letter.

My advice is just don't give up. Spend a couple days throwing a pity-party, and then pick yourself up, and start looking at other schools. The ABSN program I attended only required grades for the pre-req and HESIâ€¦that was it. They didn't look at volunteer experience, work experience, previous GPA, etc. None of that mattered, and that was the reason I was accepted. Also, if you're only looking at accelerated programs, try looking at regular BSN programs as well. Accelerated programs are nice when you're in a hurry, but if you can get into a BSN program, the end result is the same.

Good luck, stick with it, you WILL get accepted somewhere!!