How To Deal With Being Rejected From An ABSN Program

What do I do if I get rejected from ABSN nursing school?

After applying to your prospective school, preparing for the interview, and meeting all the requirements and criteria, a rejection letter is your last wish. Seeing the mail which reads thus:

“We’ve accessed your application and realize you’re a good fit. However, we won’t be able to proceed with your application due to….”

It seems like your world has shattered with your dreams dashed. Yes, being sad is okay, but you need to pick yourself up and try again.

From coping with rejection to improving your application and reapplying, how to deal with being rejected from ABSN. First, consider why your application may get rejected by nursing school.

Reasons For ABSN Application Rejection

Below are why your prospective nursing school may reject your application.

• Incomplete prerequisites

Aspiring nursing students are expected to have a basic knowledge of sciences before application. Thus, it’s ideal that you complete science courses such as chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, etc.

Furthermore, you must complete general education courses like sociology, psychology, and English. Without these prerequisites, your application will be rejected.

• Low average grade point (GPA)

Health sciences are highly competitive; hence you’ll need to put on your A-game when applying to nursing school. An applicant with a low GPA (less than 3.0) will not likely be considered for admission.

Ensure you work at increasing your grade point average and support your application with recommendation letters, academic essays, or community work.

• Your test scores don’t meet the admission requirements

As an aspiring nursing student, you must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), which evaluates your maths, English, reading skills, language use, and science.

Your test score determines if you’ll perform well in NCLEX. The standardized test is an admission requirement that you need to meet.

You won’t be considered for nursing school if you don’t pass the test.

• School preference

By now, you should know that nursing schools are pretty selective.

While you have a preferred school choice, applying to others is best. Why? You might not meet the requirements and eligibility of your prospective school. Thus, you can choose from other options.

While we’ve considered reasons for application rejection, how can you possibly deal with it?

Coping With ABSN Admission Rejection

You can quickly get discouraged and downcast after getting a rejection letter. Here’s what to do when you’re disappointed and hurt.

• Move on

Go on and bear your heart to your loved ones. Don’t bottle up your emotions. It’s okay to cry. After that, think about your next move.

Don’t dwell on the past. Move forward.

• Focus on the positives.

Focusing on the positive is pretty tough when you’ve just been offered a rejection letter. You’ve been denied admission to study nursing at your preferred nursing school.

Don’t forget that competition is fierce in nursing school, and admittance rates are limited. Being rejected doesn’t imply that you can’t be a great nurse. You can still reapply.

Think about the options available for you to achieve your dream.

• Evaluate your application

Now that you’ve gotten over the rejection letter, it’s time to evaluate your application. What could be wrong with the application?

Your application could be rejected due to late submission, incomplete prerequisites, low volunteer hours, low grades, and poor interview performance.

If your test scores are low, consider studying hard and retaking the test. Perhaps you think your application was good and can’t pinpoint the cause of rejection; check in with the admissions department.

They’ll explain better and guide you through the next step.

• Take action

After assessing your application, you should take all necessary measures to correct your wrongs and turn in a better application.

If you reach out to an admission advisor, they’re most likely telling you the areas you should improve. They can give you insights on how to boost your application.

• Apply for an internship.

For a competitive course, the experience will boost your chances. Interning can help you build communication skills, become confident, and facilitate networking.

As an intern, you’re exposed to different areas of nursing. Adding this experience to your nursing application can boost your eligibility and admission.

• Take a gap year

Take a year off to plan your application. You can work in a healthcare facility or pursue a program related to the medical field. This move increases your chances of success.

An admission officer who sees your experience and certifications on paper will assume you’re determined to pursue your nursing dream.

Besides working in a healthcare facility, you can consider volunteering at clinics, hospitals, and health organizations. Volunteering helps you put your best foot forward in getting admitted to nursing school.

Your volunteer hours show that you have a good work ethic. Are you looking for where to volunteer?

Consider volunteering with The American Red Cross, nursing homes, or local hospitals.

• Take prerequisites

To bolster your application, you must take the prerequisites required for admission at a local community college or institution.

Anatomy, physiology, and psychology are prerequisites you can take at the college in preparation for the next application.

When you reapply, you’ll have a good chance of getting admitted into an ABSN program since you’ve taken some prerequisites and attained good grades.

• Prepare for your interview.

While your application is good, your interview may be a disqualifying factor. Most schools make informed decisions after interviews.

Hence, you should be interview-ready. Find time to practice interview questions with your family, friends, or colleagues. This training will help you improve your interview skills.

• Apply again

By now, you’ve discovered your errors and how to improve your application.

You can proceed to apply to your preferred school. Ensure you submit your application alongside a personal statement, letter of recommendation, or academic essay.

Guess you’ve learned tips on dealing with being rejected from ABSN. Find out why your application is denied and spruce it up. It’s okay to feel sad about the rejection. Don’t beat yourself up.

Ensure you follow the steps to the letter. Don’t give up. Try again.

Your nursing dream is valid.