Student Glut or Lack of Teachers?

Nursing Students General Students

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I am male trying to get accepted into numerous LVN or RN programs in a large city in Texas.

I am constantly hearing about "waiting lists" due to "gluts" of students.

I have met the prerequisites for two different schools LVN programs (passed the tests) however, while one campus accepted my application and said the "numbers look good" for me to be accepted to that campus, the other campus (same school system) stated that while they would accept my application my chances were "slim" on being accepted into the program based on the "glut". ie 200 qualifieds applied and only 60 seats available.

I would like to hear information regarding gluts of students, lack of teachers, and the board possibly purposely limiting the amount of teachers to keep pay up.

The RN programs have better ratios, however all of this has caused this potential male nurse to become very worried. I won't go into the day to day hair pulling experience I have had so far but will say the schools seem to be in a state of chaos.

Any other advice / feedback on getting started is appreciated.

NJS :)

I was shocked to learn at my orientation that 350 people had applied to the ADN program at my community college for only 50 slots. The people on the waiting list were told that they usually never get beyond #3 from pulling people into the program that are on the list. The nursing instructors did mention that funds were the number one reason more students could not get in - there is not enough money to hire more nursing instructors.

You need to figure out how your school "scores" it's applications. My school gives points for prerequisite classes taken, GPA, NET score, Admission test scores, high school GPA, etc. So the more you have the higher the chance you'll get accepted. If 2 people have exactly the same points for the last slot available, then the candidate with the higher college GPA gets the spot. Some colleges do lottery style selection, which I think is totally unfair because that means people with lower GPAs could get in before the ones with higher GPAs. Be patient and keep on applying. In the meantime you could be knocking off all of those non-nursing courses. Good luck to you :)

My ADN program also screened around 300+ students for 55 spots. As it is, people who had "C" average transcripts and were on the waiting list wound up being accepted.

Hi Ann, thanks for the advice :)

The nursing instructors did mention that funds were the number one reason more students could not get in - there is not enough money to hire more nursing instructors.

Not enough funds? I signed up for two prerequisite classes for the RN progam at two different schools as I could not take them concurrently at the first school. There are no in district schools for my area Cost $680.00 dollars. Called today to see if the books were in and get cost. A&I book $115.00 dollars, A&I lab book $50.00 dollars, BIOL 2401 book $78.00, BIOL lab book $25.00.

Total for two prerequisites : $948.00

My wife has been an RN for 19 years and said she believes that the board controls the amount of teachers in order to keep pay up for nurses.

Be patient and keep on applying.

I am trying very hard. But I must say that when I read about the compassion needed for being a good nurse and then meet with directors that great me as a potential student for the first time by loudly stating "What do you want !" it is only becomes more difficult. I met with another that was so stressed out she was literally on the verge of tears and treated me worse than a burger king order taker would. For the most part everyone I have come into contact with at both schools acts in this fashion and seem very unhappy. It makes me wonder why they as holders of MSN degrees choose to work there?

Now we know a little more about the cause of the nursing shoratage.

GOOD LUCK

NJS

welcome njs.. i brought this topic up a few weeks ago. several of my nursing friends are trying to get into rn programs and there are waiting lists for 1-2 years.. :stone

one 2 year program that i know of got in trouble several years ago because of their passing rates, now i think they only accept 4.0 students.. at least that's what i'm hearing. i didn't even want to apply there as i had an advisor tell me that they won't look at a student unless they get a 21 or above on the act !!..lol.. i have never taken an act and i don't plan on it.

the tuition at this community college is really cheap so that is why so many people want to get in.. they are the cheapest around.. i think they should open up a new branch !

and since the nursing program is full, they advise students to sign up for dental assit, medical assist, radiology.. etc.. yah, that will really help the nursing shortage.. send the wanna be nursing students into another program so as not to lose their money !

good luck i hope you find a program soon !;)

There does seem to be an extreme shortage of teachers all over the country. Every place I checked out you usually have to apply 1 year in advance to have the possibility of getting in. What doesn't make sense to me is that schools say they can't afford to hire more teachers but with they amount of people wanting to get into nursing programs how is that a problem? Unless they just can't find anyone to work for a low teacher's salary.

Thanks for the welcome mkue :)

by mkue

One 2 year program that I know of got in trouble several years ago because of their passing rates, now I think they only accept 4.0 students.. at least that's what I'm hearing.

Unfortunately one of the schools I am trying to get in was on probation last year for the same reason. Perhaps this explains why it is so difficult to get in this year. Perhaps not.

When I took the NET test there the test administers made it very clear that calculators were not allowed, both verbally and written in large letters across the board. However, at one point I kept hearing a very loud beeping noise that could be heard through out the class room. When I looked over my shoulder the student directly behind and to the left was leaning under the desk and clearly using a calculator. :chair: Even though it appears that the use of calculators by this school, which had been on probation, had been out lawed the test administer just sat , and stared blankly while listening to the beeping. She never said a word.

by Cynthiann

What doesn't make sense to me is that schools say they can't afford to hire more teachers but with they amount of people wanting to get into nursing programs how is that a problem? Unless they just can't find anyone to work for a low teacher's salary.

According to the U.S. Dept. of labor there are 35,870 Nursing Instructors and Teachers. Annual salaries range from $29,200 to $71,430 with $47,650 being the meadian amount. This data is available from stats.bls.gov/oes/2000/oes251072.htm

With that said, perhaps to be an instructor you either love the work or cant get a job anywhere else.

NJS

When I went to an info session before I had applied There Were over 150 ladies at the session and it was the first of three sessions. The course was accepting 26 students!!!!! My husband encouraged my to apply and I was accepted! I think that a part of it has to do with my mature student status. They prefer students who have life experience's as well as a head for learning. It's easier for me to learn now because I really crave the learning, where as when I was in school I had to learn. Also younger kids party more and don't take things as seriously. So don't count your chickens (or lack there of) before they've hatched. People drop out the last sec and many other factors change things. I know it's hard not knowing.

Sarah

Hi Sarah, thanks for the encouraging post :)

I know that if I do what it takes then I will get accepted. I may not get into my first choice but will get accepted somewhere. I realize that the effort I put forth is a large determining factor. As E.K. once said "Nothing is impossible, it just hasn't been done yet".

It has been a relief to find out that I am far from alone in this type of experience and motivated me to work harder.

Thanks everyone!

NJS

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