Life after rejection from all the nursing programs?

Im basically done with my prerequisites for nursing but now I have to apply this Fall. What should i do if I don't get in to any nursing programs? Money and time is a definite factor here. Here's where my dilemma;
-I'll be transferring to a 4 year college as a Health Science major but i'm a little hesitant to even go to school for that. It's not the major i want to pursue at a 4 year but it's my back up it i dont. It was biology, although, i dont have most of the prerequisites done, meaning i'll be at the cc for another 2 years or so...
- Or should I go to school for LVN for another 1.5-2 more years
-or go into medical assisting (6month program) and wait until i get into a nursing?
Overall, i want to work directly with patients. Not be a health administer. I'd drop everything once i get into a nursing program...im just scared to waste lots of money and time.
Ayyyyyyy.....God is punishing me... Please help me!

Well you seem to be thinking about all of the 'what if's' which is understandable to a certain point :) I'm wondering if you would be able to transfer as a 'health science' student and when completed the biology pre-req's, switch your major to biology. And perhaps some of the courses for the health science curriculum coincides with the bio major requirements.

As far as the medical assistant programs, I've heard here and other places that there are not too many jobs for MA's (and in medical billing as well). If you are really getting concerned about getting into nursing school, perhaps you can apply for LVN/LPN program for the fall and you can at least have a back-up plan as you mentioned that the 'health science' one is.

How about also taking a shorter training as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) at the local county vo-tech school or community college (non-credit course perhaps)? It's not an easy job either, but they do work in direct patient care in hospitals or nursing homes/long-term care facilities. And as others have mentioned, hospitals and/or nursing homes may help pay for college tuition once probation is finished or sometime thereafter.

Perhaps you can find more info at the website for the US Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/oco and can type into search 'registered nurse' or 'nursing assistant' and there should be other resources listed at the bottom of the page. Wishing you the best of luck!

'God is punishing me... '

No, YOU are punishing YOURSELF, and for things that haven't even happened yet.

Why are you doing that?

Why do you think that you OUGHT to be punished?

change to social care, you can gain your NVQ, and after a few years if you get your NVQ4 and RMA you could be a home manager and get paid as much as a nurse

I can one up you. I've been rejected from 5, nursing schools 2 year & 4 year schools on BOTH COAST! I wanted to give up, but I said let me apply to one more place before I definetly call it quits and move on. I already hold a BA but that meant I had to take all my science classes. With all the hard work and prayer I finally got into a nursing program. Don't give up just yet.

I WOULDN'T apply to a LVN or any other program unless you can get advanced placement in a nursing program. There is no need to spend more money that you don't have. Second I would get a job in a hospital, that way they could help pay for your schooling (and you can keep applying till you get in).

Finally stop being so negative. Give yourself some credit. Apply to schools outside of your area if all the schools around you turned you down. *Only give up when you can honestly tell yourself that you've given it your all and you have no regrets.* Until then keep reaching for your dream.

As long as your grades are OK, there isn't a real good chance that you will be rejected from every nursing program you apply to unless you apply too late. There are waiting lists at a lot of schools, so get your application in early.


But I wonder if you have considered a diploma program rather than a 4 year degree? Then after you got your RN you could take the scholastic courses part-time to get your bachelor's degree.

As far as LVN, I have been one for almost 30 years now and I have considered but turned down any attempt to get me to go up to RN, even though I could do it quite easily. I love the level of patient care I work in and have no desire to be stuck in an administrative or paperwork position. I'm a hospice nurse and do continuous care at the end of life. If I were an RN, they wouldn't let me do that. I'd have to fly around making home visits all day every day, which isn't what I want to do.

On the other hand, a lot of hospitals now use only RN's for floor care, rather than a couple of RN's to supervise more LVN's and CNA's, so it is still possible to work in patient care as an RN.

But mainly, if you don't make it in the first semester you try, just take more of the required academic courses and reapply again. Moneywise, you'll always pay less for your degree if you attend a state university in the state where you live. But you can also go for student loans and scholarships.

Good luck!