I started today out with such a good feeling that I was on my way. The plan was to go to class this morning and then take the math portion of the Compass Placement Test again. The first time I took it I scored 63 which landed me in Math 050, basically beginners algebra. No big deal. Made an A in Math 050. Found out last week that I still needed to score a decent number on the Compass Placement Test and my A in Math 050 wasn't going to get me into the nursing program.
It wasn't even a thought in my mind that I would score low. I had a good grasp on pre-algebra or so I thought. I took the test; it wasn't ANYTHING that I expected. Word problem after word problem using ratios and percentages. Word problems aren't my forte; I can figure them out generally, but I couldn't today when I needed to. I let the fact that the test wasn't giving me the problems that I EXPECTED get to me and I shut down. I scored lower this time than I did the first time I took the test.
I don't know where to go from here. I can't retake the test. I only have 2 chances and I failed them both. There is no way I can get into the nursing program at Ozarks Technical Community College. I have NO IDEA what to do now. I don't know if I can try to get accepted at another nursing school... do they look at Compass scores? This is all stuff that I have to figure out and fast. Should I continue to pursue nursing? Should I look into another field? I have no other way to describe how I feel right now except to use a horrible cliche. The wind has been taken out of my sails.
I have a lot of praying, searching, and figuring out to do.
Bad day.
UPDATE: I didn't want to type up a seprate blog post for this update. I am one of those people that needs a freak out period. If something I don't expect throws off my plans, I inevitably freak out. It's horrible, but necessary. After the freak out, I always have a calm period where I begin to let rational thought seep back in. I know that this wasn't the end of the road for my schooling, it's just the end of the road for OTC once I get my per-requisites out of the way. I know I am not meant to go to nursing school at OTC. I do feel I am supposed to go to nursing school, but that's in the future. I will cross that bridge when I get there probably during the summer. God has this.
I am so sorry that this has happened Amy. I know it must seem like a huge frustration and maybe even a failure that things didn't work out as planned. But, remember, where one door is closed another is opened. Just keep in mind that it's not the end of your road, and explore your options. You may be able to pursue the nursing career through an alternate path. If you can't, then it may be a heavenly intervention to help guide you to something else. Who knows what that might be... but God knows your heart and he knows what will truly make you happy. Just trust that he is taking care of you Amy. You will figure it out and all will be well. I hope your day gets better girl.
ReplyDeleteThanks, yes, I am considering that maybe the Lord is directing me to another field. I just have to pray pray pray and then research and I know God will direct my path. Today I am full of dismay and doubt but that will turn around and my fight or flight always kicks in strong.
DeleteAmy, perhaps you can look into the HIT ( Health Information Technology) program? There is a huge market for it. I was excepted in the program last semester. Sorry to hear about your bad day. Just figured I would suggest it, a lot of people don't know a lot about it. Good luck at whatever you decide and don't give up no matter what!!
ReplyDeleteI will look into that, thank you!!!
DeleteI'm so sorry! That is really strange though, I failed my math placement test and when i took the beginners non-credit math course they took that as a passing test score. Also, my school lets even nursing students retake the placement tests as many times as they want. I go to a state school, maybe state school are different than technical schools? Try looking at other universities in your area. It might be a little more money but if you explain your predicament they might help you out. A lot of schools want students who have ambition and motivation and THEY will help you get there. Try calling different nursing programs at state schools around you and see what their requirements are. I really hope this helps! Good luck and don't give up on your dreams just because something didn't go so well. KEEP AT IT! You go girl! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you! I too was surprised that my A in the non-credit Math 050 didn't qualify as my passing score! I really shouldn't have taken the test today. I just thought I could pass no problem. It was the most heartbreaking frustrating thing. I will be looking into some other career options as well. I KNOW that I need to be in school and I love school and I will succeed at whatever I study to be, I know it. I'm just baffled about this turn of events. I feel stupid.
DeleteAmy, I had math problems as well. Look into Cox Hospital Nursing school, I have been told they are excellent and one of the best nursing schools around. You will be wonderful at whatever you decide to do. Praying for you
ReplyDeleteThank you, I think I am going to finish this semester and next and then try and get into Cox nursing school. If I can't get in there, I will look into Respiratory Therapy and other career fields.
DeleteMy precious Punkin, This week I've been reading a chapter inBond of Brothers about dealing with sorrow. It has so much to deal with what you are going through. One of the greatest battles we face, is dealing with our own inadequacies or failures. When we embark upon a path that we feel suited for, or even qualified for, and that path become blocked or clouded, it is easy to slip into dispair. When we are confronted with our our own failures, it is important to realize that even our best and most perfect view of ourselves is always less than God's view of us. It's a matter of perspective. Yes, there are always sorrows for which there aren't words enough to describe our pain, but those sorrows eventually subside and we'll find the reason for what we went through. The perfect prayer for those times is simply; 'your will be done." When we do that, we show Him we respect his judgment over our own, and that we are willing to give him control over that area of our lives. He is not wasteful or capricious. Sit back, breathe, let go of the sense of failure, and embrace the inevitability of success. I would finish this semester in style and then pursue the other options available to you. As always, I am so proud of you. Wish I was there to hug you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Daddy.
DeleteI hate it when you have a plan and something unexpected comes along. I have no idea how the system works in the USA but I hope there's away around this for you. x
ReplyDeleteAmy, If you really want to do nursing don't let anything stop you. Perhaps they have a waiver but there are always loop holes in every system. Just dig and keep looking and don't give up. The good thing about the medical field is that there are a lot of many areas of discipline you can focus on. Keep your options open and try to attend as many career workshops as you can to find out what is out there. There is a really neat website called http://www.onetonline.org/. In this website you can find many careers and read up on the skill level that is required as well as research if that particular industry is projected to grow in the future. If you ever want to ask me anything feel free. I may not have the answers to everything but I have a lot of resources I can share with you. Sorry to hear about your day but don't let this small bump fool you. Best wishes.
ReplyDelete-Ruthy
Hey lovely lady.
ReplyDeleteI know it doesn't seem like it right now but trust God - he's got a plan, it might not be our plan or the way we'd do things but it's there somewhere. Just ask God to give you the guidance - is Nursing the way forward or is the path a different way. Look into what can be done with what you've got (or what you need to be able to get there), as one door closes a window opens right? It might not be clear today and it might not be clear tomorrow but just trust and pray :) He's got it all in hand.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" Says the Lord "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" (Or something like that - it might be a little paraphrased but you get the point right?)
Oh no! I hope you decide on what to do soon. Career dilemmas are no fun at all x
ReplyDeleteYou will make a wonderful nurse, no matter what your score was. Try MSU. Yet have a good program... And they did practicums where I used to work. Failing one test should not determine your capabilities... So don't let it stop you. No way. Aaaaaaaaand..... San Antonio has great schools and great nursing opportunities! I just had to throw my plug in there. ;)
ReplyDeleteI did horribly on my GRE and GRE subject test for Psychology. So it's going to affect my master's degree options. We will BOTH make it through.
Miss you!
I am going to put you in my prayer list pronto..
ReplyDeleteGod has never been on board with MY plans. LOL
ReplyDeleteBut in the end, all the things that I thought were the end of my life as I knew it, ended up being even better!!!
It is hard to sit back and let the Good Lord take the wheel, but HE knows so much more than we do, HE sees more, and he knows the outcome.
Remember your faith and WHO it is in.
I'm glad I got to read this with the update! So true! Gods got this and he will show you the next step! Keep pressing on lady! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I always have a freak out moment too! I have to freak out then think it out!