HELP I need college advice!!

I really am in a pickle and in some SERIOUS need of help/opinions/advice. I am a 24 year old pre-nursing student in Arizona and was one of the students that got totally screwed by Grand Canyon University when they merged with Apollo College, tanked their nursing program, and got sued left right and center. Thank GOD I was quick to the draw and got out early with my school credits in tact...sadly I was still left in a really bad spot because I was done with nearly all my pre-nursing school credits but now I have no nursing school to attend that doesn't have a 2 year waiting list attached. The 2 years is NOT avoidable and GPA, test score, recommendation letters, past certifications have NO BEARING the ONLY thing that helps is working at a partnering hospital. Issue? Everyone is trying to get one...

I have the ability to get my EMT certification reissued and am investigating a CNA as well because if you work in a partnering hospital you get wait time shaved off on the waiting list. The problem is I have been applying to every hospital within a 25 mile driving distance whenever I see an opening and check it every day with zero luck. Arizona State University (ASU) is so bad that they require a 4.2 GPA with a 90% test score so THAT is not happening, and I checked Coolidge College and their break down system is totally nuts and impossible.

Now I am left with these last and final options...

1) Go up to Northern Arizona State University (NAU) and hope to god that their nursing school situation is better. Is anyone up there and know what their situation is??? I have a 3.2 GPA and have been holding off on taking the NCLEX because of the 3 test limit and my indecision in regards to which school I wish to attend. Do they have a partnership with the hospital up there? I was going to drive up but if it's a total waste of time I might as well not bother and these people are a nightmare to get a hold of on the phone....

2) Go down to Tuscon and do the same the same information fishing at University of Arizona? Anyone know about that????

3) Stick it out in Scottsdale at Scottsdale Community College on their 2 year waiting list and keep praying to god a magic job appears out of nowhere and sit around till then...

THOUGHTS???? Keep in mind I'm 24 and I'm going to be running out of insurance at 26 on top of the additional irritation of constantly being reminded that I should already be in school and would have been finished by Summer 2012. God this is so frustrating >.<
I wasn't aware that Apollo merged with GC. I thought DeVry bought Apollo? So now, DeVry has Apollo, and Chamberlain.Regardless, why not apply to Apollo/Carrington's ADN program?Also, you can't take the NCLEX without going to a certified nursing program and there is not a limit to how many times you can take the NCLEX (see all of the 'I failed the NCLEX x times threads").So I'm not sure what your problem is exactly.

Quote from ChuckeRNI wasn't aware that Apollo merged with GC. I thought DeVry bought Apollo? So now, DeVry has Apollo, and Chamberlain.Regardless, why not apply to Apollo/Carrington's ADN program?Also, you can't take the NCLEX without going to a certified nursing program and there is not a limit to how many times you can take the NCLEX (see all of the 'I failed the NCLEX x times threads").So I'm not sure what your problem is exactly.

If you fail the NCLEX, you have to wait 45 days before you can take it again. But you are looking at this the wrong way. 86% of first time NCLEX test takers pass.Second, if you do choose to wait for a public school, ASU, etc., then you will have a LONG wait. And with your grades, you will not get into ASU anytime soon. My babysitter has a close to 4.0 GPA at ASU and has been waiting to get into the Nursing program at ASU for longer than 2 years.The bottom line is, if you don't want to wait, a private school is the way to go. You can't have it both ways.

Have you considered going out of state?

Quote from ChuckeRNIf you fail the NCLEX, you have to wait 45 days before you can take it again. But you are looking at this the wrong way. 86% of first time NCLEX test takers pass.Second, if you do choose to wait for a public school, ASU, etc., then you will have a LONG wait. And with your grades, you will not get into ASU anytime soon. My babysitter has a close to 4.0 GPA at ASU and has been waiting to get into the Nursing program at ASU for longer than 2 years.The bottom line is, if you don't want to wait, a private school is the way to go. You can't have it both ways.

Quote from dunitrazzyHave you considered going out of state?

Colorado Northwestern Community College accepts on merit and will take into account gpa, previous work experience, etc. Their grid is posted on their website, the classes are small this year they accepted 28/35 applicants that applied for this upcoming year. I moved from CA where the wait was 3-5 years and lottery out here for school. As of yet, there isn't a waiting list at this school. It is rural, but the program does travel to Grand Junction for clinical rotations. Have you tried petitioning to have those F's removed from your transcript seeing as you did retake the classes receiving a higher grade in them?Best of Luck

Quote from hilzaberryI really am in a pickle and in some SERIOUS need of help/opinions/advice. I am a 24 year old pre-nursing student in Arizona and was one of the students that got totally screwed by Grand Canyon University when they merged with Apollo College, tanked their nursing program, and got sued left right and center. Thank GOD I was quick to the draw and got out early with my school credits in tact...sadly I was still left in a really bad spot because I was done with nearly all my pre-nursing school credits but now I have no nursing school to attend that doesn't have a 2 year waiting list attached. The 2 years is NOT avoidable and GPA, test score, recommendation letters, past certifications have NO BEARING the ONLY thing that helps is working at a partnering hospital. Issue? Everyone is trying to get one...I have the ability to get my EMT certification reissued and am investigating a CNA as well because if you work in a partnering hospital you get wait time shaved off on the waiting list. The problem is I have been applying to every hospital within a 25 mile driving distance whenever I see an opening and check it every day with zero luck. Arizona State University (ASU) is so bad that they require a 4.2 GPA with a 90% test score so THAT is not happening, and I checked Coolidge College and their break down system is totally nuts and impossible.Now I am left with these last and final options...1) Go up to Northern Arizona State University (NAU) and hope to god that their nursing school situation is better. Is anyone up there and know what their situation is??? I have a 3.2 GPA and have been holding off on taking the NCLEX because of the 3 test limit and my indecision in regards to which school I wish to attend. Do they have a partnership with the hospital up there? I was going to drive up but if it's a total waste of time I might as well not bother and these people are a nightmare to get a hold of on the phone....2) Go down to Tuscon and do the same the same information fishing at University of Arizona? Anyone know about that????3) Stick it out in Scottsdale at Scottsdale Community College on their 2 year waiting list and keep praying to god a magic job appears out of nowhere and sit around till then...THOUGHTS???? Keep in mind I'm 24 and I'm going to be running out of insurance at 26 on top of the additional irritation of constantly being reminded that I should already be in school and would have been finished by Summer 2012. God this is so frustrating >.<

Quote from Southern MagnoliaHi,Not sure I follow all your reasoning but here's some thoughts . . . Universities don't have wait lists to my knowledge. It's apply and either your scores get you in or they don't. Also, NAU has locations in Tucson and Yuma as well. NAU won't say this but it's a bit easier to get into Yuma for obvious reasons. I'm not sure I follow your thoughts on the NCLEX - you were pre nursing right? You wouldn't be qualified to take the NCLEX yet. Also, with the economy the way it is I don't know of any programs that still have partnerships with hospitals like they used to. I know u of A's second degree program had a few sponsored spots but that's all I'm aware of.I'm a 2nd degree student that will begin NAU tucson's BSN program next month.To me your options are get CNA/EMT cert and sit on a wait list with the community colleges until your number comes up or get things together to apply to one or all of the universities and hopefully get a seat sooner.Best wishes.

I go to bmcc and have a 3.72 gpa I am gonna transfer because I have no chance to get into nursing

Quote from love7777I go to bmcc and have a 3.72 gpa I am gonna transfer because I have no chance to get into nursing

My advice is not popular but I would do the 2 year wait if you know you will definitely get in. Why? Because of the difficulty new grads are having getting hired. By the time you'd be finished the healthcare act will either be underway and people may be hiring again, or it will not be underway but people will hopefully have retired and hopefully hiring picked up. Ideal solution? No. But I don't know that there is one. Use the time taking classes that will help you down the road: business or computers, or volunteering or working if money is an issue. Good Luck, tho.