Nursing programs seem to be impossibly difficult to get into. I'm turning my application in on Friday and will find out in May if I get in for the Fall term. I'm not sure I'll make the cut.
Your GPA is 60% and your scores on the HESI test are 40%. All along they've told us that we'd get an additional 2 points for each A that we got in the required sciences classes (so a max of 6 points) added on at the end. Well this morning I found out that they are only counting classes through last semester. I got an A in A&P I last semester and I am taking A&P II and Microbiology this semester. So, I'm only going to get 2 points for the A&P I.
I was really counting on those extra 4 points. While I have a 4.0 resident GPA they will be looking at my cumulative GPA which includes the classes that I took 11 years ago. I had one D (in Music Appreciation) and a couple of C's which brought my GPA down. My current cumulative GPA is 2.81 which I worry isn't competitive enough. I can't ask for grade amnesty because I'd lose some of the classes that I need.
Fortunately my HESI scores in everything but math were stellar (I still got a passing score in math). I'm retaking the math portion on Friday to bring up my score. I've studied and practiced and I anticipate scoring in the high 90's.
There will probably be about 35 spots in the program. I have no idea how many will apply but I know that it will be WAY more than 35.
I hope that I get in because I don't know what I'll do otherwise. They only accept applicants in the spring so I'd have to wait a year to reapply. As it stands the school wants to cut off my financial aid because I am at 82 credit hours and they cut you off at 90. I'll appeal but I'm screwed if they deny me.
Is it bad that I hope some of the women get pregnant or something? LOL I secretly hope that my classmates don't do well on tests.
Is it possible to apply to more than one school?
I am not sure how it works here in FL but I remember
people in NC applying to more than one school for a better
chance of getting into a program.
If it's any consolation, I got into medical school (unfortunately couldn't go) with a dubious academic past, but excellent grades on my most recent work. I had good MCAT scores also. It's the same kind of situation - few places for the number of applicants. So maybe the committee (or whoever makes these decisions) will appreciate the improvement in your grades and your test scores, even if your cumulative GPA isn't the best.
Yes, Joellen- are there any other programs you could work on until nursing school?
I know if someone is already working in the healthfield, it helps the chances of getting into the nursing program.
Hmm, now that I think about it everyone I know that has gone into a nursing program was in the medical field.
What about getting your certificate as a CNA?
Well, the main problem I have is that my school will be cutting off my financial aid after this semester. I can appeal but they will re-evaluate each semester. I can't just take classes indefinitely. Other schools aren't really options because of distance and the fact that we only have one car.
The school that I am at has the best community college RN program in the state.
I was a CNA before I had kids and I've thought about pursuing my certification here in Florida. Of course the program $600 plus books and the certification test. Financial aid won't pay for it.
It will all work out the way it should. I'm really hoping that they are greatly exaggerating how competitive this program is. So far in my classes I've received higher grades than most other students and based on some of the HESI scores I've seen other people have, I may be worrying for little reason.
There's one girl in one of my classes that has a 4.0 GPA which worried me but then I found out that she hasn't taken the HESI yet. She was supposed to take it today but rescheduled for late February. You can only take the HESI twice per calendar year and have to wait 30 days between attempts not to mention that they only administer it a couple times a month. So basically she'll get one shot to do well and if for some reason she doesn't take the HESI before March 2, she can't apply to the program this year.
If I don't make it in, I'll appeal financial aid and take the 3 classes that I need to get my AA in Pre-Nursing and then apply again to my school AND the bachelor's RN program at the "sister" 4 year university linked to my community college. That would mean I would start a nursing program in the fall of '10 instead of '09.
The financial aid appeal is no biggie. It's basically their check/balance system to make sure you aren't just getting double degrees on the Feds' dime. You won't get denied. Especially since so many of your credit hours are from your first go round in college many years ago. I had the same thing happen because it took me a bit to find my major. They didn't even blink at approving the appeal. Don't worry at all about that, in other words, and file the appeal now just in case.
for you.
JoEllen!
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