Will I ever get accepted to nursing school? How?

dorkypanda · Dec 30, 2014

Hey there,

Don't focus too much on the negatives! Try looking forward with a little more optimism if you can. Have you checked every nursing program you're interested in applying to and read up on their retaking courses policies ? I think you should have a good look again to see if you can retake something to boost your application. I feel like the C in micro could be improved upon. Do you know if retaking micro is acceptable? Also did you do volunteer work in the past year or so or have some kind of medical job? You can get possible application points for those if the program says so.

I am starting to see that while BSN programs are highly competitive I think ADN/ASN programs are slightly competitive too. Do programs in your area require you to take some kind of entrance exam for applying? If so that is really important to do well on that. I don't one needs a 4.0 to get in but having it will increase your chances along with having completed requirements. I didn't have a super 4.0 but I still made it.

jkaragan · Dec 30, 2014

I think the previous answer covers a lot of good points...I think volunteering is a major requirement for many programs and that C could definitely be improved. Do you have to take the TEAS test for any of these programs? While you are waiting to re-apply, can you get a job as a CNA? I know of many courses that only take a month. That way, you could get a job fast and already be in the health care industry! You are also still VERY young, so take your time to make your application the best it can be! Have you looked at relocating? I don't know where you are, but when you say that there is only one LVN school, I can imagine there aren't that many RN programs to apply for either. Maybe expand your horizon?

nlitened · Dec 30, 2014

You seem to be putting a negative spin on everything. A lot of people don't get in the first time they apply to nursing school...don't let this discourage you and don't let this lead to negative thoughts. Nursing programs are competitive. Have you talked to the nursing coordinator at your school to find out what can increase your chances of getting in next time? I would start there. Be proactive, and please stop bumming yourself out.

PrettyNerd, CNA, LPN, LVN · Dec 30, 2014

I think the previous answer covers a lot of good points...I think volunteering is a major requirement for many programs and that C could definitely be improved. Do you have to take the TEAS test for any of these programs? While you are waiting to re-apply, can you get a job as a CNA? I know of many courses that only take a month. That way, you could get a job fast and already be in the health care industry! You are also still VERY young, so take your time to make your application the best it can be! Have you looked at relocating? I don't know where you are, but when you say that there is only one LVN school, I can imagine there aren't that many RN programs to apply for either. Maybe expand your horizon?

I so volunteer at a local hospital (well, it's been a few months due to work but I'm going back soon). I also have my CNA and work at an assisted living facility. My biggest problem is that I don't drive, so yes i am very limited but there's still not a lot of program near my town. The LVN program doesn't require us to the the TEAS test, or any other entrance exam, which is why I want to do this first because I've taken the TEAS test for the other RN programs and scored in the 60's all 3 times I've taken it. And this CC doesn't allow me to retake that class, well, I can but it brings my GPA down. UGH!

PrettyNerd, CNA, LPN, LVN · Dec 30, 2014

You seem to be putting a negative spin on everything. A lot of people don't get in the first time they apply to nursing school...don't let this discourage you and don't let this lead to negative thoughts. Nursing programs are competitive. Have you talked to the nursing coordinator at your school to find out what can increase your chances of getting in next time? I would start there. Be proactive, and please stop bumming yourself out.

I'm sorry but after trying so hard to get the best grades possible and have finished college 2 years ago and not having a career, I do feel very bummed out! I have talked to the nursing counselor, and plan on making another appointment with her ASAP before I submit my application.

MidLifeChg2Nursing · Dec 30, 2014

Don't be so critical of yourself - how can you say you feel stupid and haven't accomplished anything when you got ACCEPTED into a nursing program; yes, it's a five year wait. If you haven't been accepted into another nursing program or LPN program, I suggest getting a head start and get experience in the medical field so that when you do start RN program the course subjects will be familiar to you - take a year to get your diploma in medical assisting, paramedic, or surgical tech. My wife, as a medical assistant (MA) for a urology office, sterilizes and hands surgical equipment, preps the surgical patients by shaving and applying topical anesthesia, takes vitals and histories, do bladder scans using a sonogram, assists in biopsies - prepare, label, and ship tissue samples. Just from interacting with the doctors and patients, she has a firm understanding of the prescription drugs (pharmacology) relating to urological and pulmonary disorders and diseases (she worked at a pulmonary office first). Continuing as an MA, paramedic, or surgical tech will also give you that sense of not being in limbo while "waiting". You will get there, but you must really change your way of thinking and start seeing the glass as half full and not half empty.

babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM · Dec 31, 2014

I'm sorry that you are feeling down, we all need a pity party every once in awhile but you cannot let the feeling of defeat take over.

You make it sound as if you already got denied from the LVN program, you have to put a better vibe into the universe. Things that are positive attracts other things that are positive; negativity only attracts more negativity. Think positive, you have a chance if getting into the LVN program and then you can work as an LVN while you do a LVN to RN bridge program. Worst case scenario, you have to wait a few years before you start the RN program you're waitlisted for.

I got denied the first time I applied to my BSN program earlier year, I was crushed and almost gave up on nursing. I even went as far as to change my major! I'm glad I didn't give up though; I have been rejected from a BSN program, only to be accepted on my second attempt, and have successfully completed my first 3 nursing classes with a 3.8, all in 2014.

I wish you the best in your nursing journey. This will be a great motivational story you can tell future nurses one day when you're a RN.

Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B · Jan 1, 2015

Retake Micro, get an A. This is the first step.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jan 1, 2015

It is going to be hard to get into a CC with a C in micro. It just is. In my area, ASN programs are extremely competitive. More competitive than a BSN program. If you don't drive you are limited in where you can go. Is there any way to rectify that? I have epilepsy and didn't drive for a very long time. But I worked hard with my docs to get my seizures under control so I could. I have been seizure free for over 4 years now. Been driving again for 3. I live in the country so if I don't drive, I'm in trouble.

You need to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move on if this is what you truly want. Why the C in micro if you studied very hard? What was holding you back there? These are things that need to be corrected before going into nursing school if you want to succeed. Because I got a B in micro. My one B in my prereqs. But, med/surg is way more difficult than micro. I managed a B in it and an A in med/surg clinical. Check into what you can do to fix your situation in your area. Once you start being proactive, things will fall into place.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 1, 2015

I will be honest with you: I did not have a 4.0 when I applied to nursing school. I was way below that, and I start the first portion of my program in 13 days. It is possible. It takes a lot of hard work, but it is possible.

You may have to expand your search area. I moved 500 miles away in December because becoming a nurse was THAT Important to me. I am leaving everything behind (my dog, boyfriend, family, and job) for the chance to do this, and right now it seems 100% the right ahead (but come talk to me when I'm knee deep in my hardest semester in NS LOL!)

There is always the idea to retake classes (like micro) to get closer to that higher GPA or look at schools that don't just place the emphasis on your GPA but look at other factors as well.

Red Kryptonite · Jan 1, 2015

My biggest problem is that I don't drive, so yes i am very limited but there's still not a lot of program near my town.

How do you expect to get to clinical sites if you do get into a program? I think you need to get your driver's license. I've seen people on this board describing driving an hour one way for clinicals. You can't trust public transit for something like that, and it may not even have a route where you need to go.