NURSING HORROR STORY: Incomplete Application: I Was Denied?!

One of the most nerve racking days of my life was when I checked my nursing application status and saw that I had a bright, red, scary "X" mark besides an incomplete form on my application. My first thought was "I am going to be denied..."

For my school's nursing program, the application was pretty lengthy, if you have read my article "Pre-Nursing Major? What is that?!,"then you may have a idea of what each applicant had to submit. For the application, I had to submit a general application online that ask basic questions; I had to submit volunteer hours and two recommendations (one from a professor and one from a professional such as a boss). My first recommendation came from my chemistry professor, and my second one came from my old boss at my work study job (remember this detail later on). I also had submit an essay about an healthcare issue, answer short answers questions, and check off all the classes I have taken. The application due date was October 1, and I have already submitted my application at the end of August. I worked on it all summer to make sure each and every component was completed.

It was early November 2017 now, and the acceptance letters have slowly been distributed to a few people. I was nervous, but remained calm during this time. The only control I had was to wait and hope for the best. It was Thursday night, and my instincts told me to check my nursing application status for some reason. I decided to go along with this feeling, and I saw that part of my application was not complete. My school had a strict policy where if your application is not complete (due to incomplete form submission), then your application will not even be looked at. I saw that one of my recommendations was not received. My body went cold. "I am going to be denied over a recommendation I can't control." But for some odd reason, I was calm; no tears, no crazy screaming; I was unbelievably calm. I called my mom and told her the situation and she calmly told me to go to the nursing office and see what could have be the problem.

The next morning, I was mute. The most talking I did that day was the constant prayers inside my head. The nursing office opens at 8:30 am, but I was there at 8:00 am, with my laptop, and the saved confirmation emails of my application and recommendations (save important files y'all!). I made sure that I had proof that this incidence was the school's mistake and not mine. Eventually, an adviser showed up and I told them the issue in my calmest, and quietest voice. They had a look of sympathy and decided to look into the issue. While they did that, they told me that I would have to wait an hour until they called me on the phone. I sat down waiting patiently, then my phone rang. They said that one of my recommendations was not found...and it happen to be from my old boss. They said that they will try to see if the recommendation could be found, but in the mean time, I should contact that person who did my recommendation to see if they had a copy and could resend it. My old boss moved to a different university. Now, I was hopeless. How can I contact someone who is not even in walking distance from me? The only contact I had of them was their old school email which was probably inactive by now.

Once again, I remained calm. I needed to be strong. I needed to have a clear head. I remember before my old boss left, they told me the school where they were moving to. I used my common sense and went to that school's website, found the directory, and (by the grace of God), I found their office number there! I immediately called it, and they picked up! I told them the entire situation, and they said that they actually saved a copy of the recommendation! They kindly agreed to resend it too. On top of that good news, the nursing adviser eventually called back and said that the recommendation was found! I was in awe. I knew that I did everything right with my application, and that this had to be some mishap.

I decided to share this story because you, or someone you know may have had an unfortunate event with their application that resulted in something good, or something bad. BUT, I promise you that sometimes, things may occur for the best of us. If I had not checked my application that Thursday night, and fixed the problem on Friday, I could of risked getting a denial letter sooner or later. Do not lose hope in these types of situations. If you know you worked hard, spent many semesters, time, and dedication to pre-nursing, and created a beautiful and worthy application, then all favors will work just fine for you.

-futurenursehappiness

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