Nursing makes me nuts!!!!

Nursing Students General Students

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I have a question for all of you out there.

Why don't all nursing programs adn/bsn/NP/CNS/CRNA etc have the same requirements for admission? For example, medical school has the same requirements for everyone and a universal, one stop shop admission process for every single program. Literally the same process for every single program that exists from application and prereq requirements, to essay and MCAT, secondary essays, interviews and so on. No surprises. PA program application is just about the same.

Yet every program from associate's to doctorate level for nursing is completely different in every way possible from school to school and program to program.

I have an AAS in nursing and wanted to shoot myself when I was applying for schools in different states and even different schools in the same city with all the different requirements. To me this makes it seem like nursing education from an admission standpoint on all levels is very disorganized. Why is it set up this way and not more streamlined like medical school and PA school admissions?? Since competition is steep and only getting worse, one would think you would apply to more than one program in an application cycle at all nursing degree levels from programs in different cities and different states. Yet, one program or two or five could require 8 different things to qualify for admission whether it be extra classes, experience, entrance testing letters or rec etc. :confused:

Ok. But they don't need you for anything- you need them for an education in the field you chose. Gotta play by their rules- whatever and however many there are. :)

If you think it's "stupid" now, what in the world do you expect in the real world? Maybe rethink this whole thing. Criticizing the process to get the education doesn't bode well for getting through it.

I have a BS in psych and an MS in psych plus the AAS in nursing so I am well versed in college application processes. I am also in my 30's and have thus been in the "real world" for quite some time. I am merely pointing out how stupid it is that the admission process for nursing is not more universal. Classes to get a nursing degree once enrolled in a nursing program and the NCLEX process and test requirements are pretty much the same across the board, yet the admission process varies greatly. It makes no sense and I am trying to illicit intelligent conversation about what I feel is an oddity in higher education. And last time I checked they do need me and my money to keep their programs in existence in the "real world."

People talk about the housing bubble. Check out the increase in tuition relative to inflation over the last two decades. First mortgage crisis, next student loan defaults like mad.

I have a BS in psych and an MS in psych plus the AAS in nursing so I am well versed in college application processes. I am also in my 30's and have thus been in the "real world" for quite some time. I am merely pointing out how stupid it is that the admission process for nursing is not more universal. Classes to get a nursing degree once enrolled in a nursing program and the NCLEX process and test requirements are pretty much the same across the board, yet the admission process varies greatly. It makes no sense and I am trying to illicit intelligent conversation about what I feel is an oddity in higher education. And last time I checked they do need me and my money to keep their programs in existence in the "real world."

People talk about the housing bubble. Check out the increase in tuition relative to inflation over the last two decades. First mortgage crisis, next student loan defaults like mad.

Then do something besides nursing. You won't change this.

Great attitude. Rules are meant to be revisited, examined, and ultimately changed if they no longer make sense in the current landscape. Sometimes it takes someone pointing out there is a problem as the first step to change. So many policies, procedures, and rules have changed over the course of time by people taking this type of stance versus your take of "Well can't change it. Do nothing."

I see this as problem that needs to be looked at and changed at some point.

Great attitude. Rules are meant to be revisited, examined, and ultimately changed if they no longer make sense in the current landscape. Sometimes it takes someone pointing out there is a problem as the first step to change. So many policies, procedures, and rules have changed over the course of time by people taking this type of stance versus your take of "Well can't change it. Do nothing."

I see this as problem that needs to be looked at and changed at some point.

I guess you must be the first- congratulations :)

What does that even mean? I must be the first-congrats?!?! I am sure I am not the first and only person to notice this as an issue. You just seem to be the first and only one on this forum who is exuding such a positive attitude right now-congrats to you as well. From prior posts of yours I've seen this seems to be new territory for you, you know walking around as a seemingly happy person Don't stay out of your comfort zone too long deary

I totally agree with you ksc0723. The application process is so crazy! When I was applying to BSN programs, every school required something totally different! I wish they would make it more uniform, especially in BSN programs. A good structured program should be a model for all nursing schools to follow and produce good nurses. (Good nurses are what we are striving for right?) If they can't be uniform, they should at least attempt to make the program pre-req's similar :) It would definitively take off some of the stress in applying and save it for when you actually get into nursing school. Thanks for bringing up this issue. I know I thought the same thing when I was looking into programs! :) And to Xtxrn, I hate to point out that you are being some-what rude to someone just posting their opinion. Its not nice to say things such as, "Schools don't need you for anything, do something besides nursing you won't change this." Frankly you're being a bully and as nurses we should be encouraging to those who are venting and want to change the status quo. I hope RN programs do become more similar ( at high standards) and its people like Ksc0723 who speak up when they see a problem, that will be the one's who promote good change. :) Just my :twocents:

What does that even mean? I must be the first-congrats?!?! I am sure I am not the first and only person to notice this as an issue. You just seem to be the first and only one on this forum who is exuding such a positive attitude right now-congrats to you as well. From prior posts of yours I've seen this seems to be new territory for you, you know walking around as a seemingly happy person Don't stay out of your comfort zone too long deary

Don't waste anymore of your time arguing with her. Anyone with brain cells can see your point. Your not asking for the admission process to have lower requirements or easily acceptable. It would make alot more sense for them to have a uniform policy. It's ridiculous that you need 20 credits in mathematics in one program and another program you need only 8 credits of math and 16 English credits. it's crazy how they set it up. I have felt your frustration. that is one of the reasons why I am a big fan of accelerated programs. Most just require you to already have a degree in nursing and past a admission test. good luck in your school search!

There are 10+ nursing programs within 45 miles of me, and every single one wants different prereqs! School A wants a psych class only they offer, schools B and C want statistics, but B also wants a PE course. D wants chem and only basic psych, and everyone wants A&P except school E, which makes no sense at all!

Applying for these highly competitive programs is a nightmare, you really have to have your heart set on one, and these are just prereqs, it gets even worse when you consider other requirements.

I'd looove to see standardized prereq requirements. Give me all the essays you want, but make it so I have more than one option as to where I can apply.

Despite the naysayers, this is a goal worth fighting for!!

xtxrn, why so hostile? She is asking a question pre nursing students and nursing instructors have been asking for years. Is it because you misunderstood her question with your first answer.

Thanks to all those who see what I am getting at. I was asking the question to see if others were running into this problem and to see if anyone understood why nursing admissions are set up this way. I appreciate the support and positive feedback :D

Thanks to all those who see what I am getting at. I was asking the question to see if others were running into this problem and to see if anyone understood why nursing admissions are set up this way. I appreciate the support and positive feedback :D

The way the op came across was about paperwork. That's how I saw your post. MANY posts later (and from someone else) there was clarification about the difference in the number of classes needed for admission. That is a completely different thing. And I can see the frustration with that. With paperwork, I feel it's a matter of deciding if it's worth it or not to get into the school in question; with the different classes needed, I see it as a major hassle, since you could have already started at one school while trying to get the classes for the other 3 (or 5 or 10). I get that (I have brain cells that respond to what is in front of me- not trying to mind read :))

I had an opinion also based on what I had to work with in the op. Because I disagreed, based on the info I was working on, it means I'm a bully? :uhoh3:

If people (not just you OP) want to read some sort of nastiness in something, they will always find it. There was no feeling one way or another- just my opinions. Try reading something with a different tone of voice in your head (I will also). It does make a difference.

On message boards, it's so common to assume someone is being snarky, when they are just giving an opinion, or info from their own experience. Not everybody comes at this meaning to be nasty; and rarely are things clarified before making assumptions about the other person. Am I guilty of that? Absolutely. Still doesn't make me lacking brain cells, or my opinion invalid.

OP- I hope you can figure out some way to get the admission requirements done so you can get on with things :)

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