Accepted to Christian U- but I'm not Christian...

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 7, 2013

IMO, you don't need to be a "good Christian" or even a Christian to get through nursing school.

However, you need to be fully aware of what you are getting into BEFORE you sign on the dotted line. The fact is that it IS a Christian school. No, you don't have to attend worship or sign up for Bible club or whatever if you are not interested. But at the same time, IMO you can't expect special provisions to be made for you because you are not religious. It sounds like God and Christianity may be big themes in the nursing program as well as in the school itself. And only you can decide if you are OK with that.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

suzw · Jun 8, 2013

Actually they do require students to attend chapel 2-3 times/ week, but I can get a waiver if I'm in clinicals or if I can convince them I need to care for my young child during chapel time. I certainly don't expect them to make special provisions for me, but I do wonder if they will expect me to profess my Christian faith, or if they will be harder on me if they feel I'm not "Christian enough".

I do think Christianity is integrated into the program itself, as the first semester has a class called "Integration of Faith in Nursing" although that is just a 1 credit class.

Thanks for your reply. Have you attended a Christian nursing school, or know anyone who has? This one just seems so much more conservative than other major private schools in my area (west coast).

Aussierules1985 · Jun 12, 2013

Being a Christian School graduate, I understand the dilemma. I am a Christian, but the schools are somewhat serious about doing the classes they have approved by curriculum for graduating.

I personally went to this school because it gave me the attention I needed to graduate, the other options were a much larger school, or lower prestige schools.

Only you can decide in the end what's best for you, nursing in a Christian facility doesn't mean less somewhere else (IMO), but often these schools have a good nursing program because of the ideals of nursing (caring etc).

Good luck!

PS yeah I wish I could have avoided chapel... at my place they let some people write papers instead if they were "busy."

suzw · Jun 12, 2013

So in your school was being a good Christian important for doing well in the program? Was faith important once you started the program, or did it then become all about the nursing?

Aussierules1985 · Jun 13, 2013

It seems like forever ago, but mostly there was limited cheesy ceremonies to the start. There was a summer missions trip which was clearly implied to be a missions trip for credit. But really all it was IMO is a couple discussions and a paper or two. Being a male generally I think they expect a little less discussion from us.

To the point though, as long as you can deeply care for your patients because you have a passion for the field (in any way scientifically or personal desire to care for others especially those in need), you shouldn't have any problem. Even the papers were not about religion (you could import it if you want to), but caring.

For your two questions both no, they didn't ask, they did say how they feel in certain situations, but generally they're very serious about the program.

Aussierules1985 · Jun 13, 2013

BTW.. good luck out there. I can only imagine the trials you go through, its always a huge decision in picking schools. I am kinda surprised you had to take 5 courses (little high), but if you get along there... i'd stick it out! Long as you can tolerate it!

Tell me how it goes!

suzw · Jun 13, 2013

Yeah, it's CRAZY how much additional course work they want, especially considering I have a pre-nursing transfer degree. None of the bigger private schools in my area have that requirement. The courses are stuff like Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Interp, Life of Christ- those are fairly short course but still a lot of work. Plus the Christian Thought class, which is longer and a ton of work. Oh, and there is an overseas mission trip (country TBD), which concerns me because I don't want to leave my 3 year old (will be 4 then I guess) for a month. Might be able to get something closer to home though, not sure.

I'm just hoping I can be honest about my faith and not have to hide anything.

Are you in the U.S.?

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2013

If you have nothing against religion, then this will be a great learning experience. You'll learn more about how Christians worship and their beliefs, which may also help you in real life situations as a Nurse. (I myself have already been to a mosque, a synagogue, traditional christian church, catholic church, and taken a religious studies class. Knowledge never hurts.) However, if you are really worried about attending this school, and you have to take 5 extra classes (I'm assuming you also have to pay for those classes) then you may want to reapply to your top choice schools rather than settling for this current school.

suzw · Jun 13, 2013

Agree that learning about other religions can be a good thing, though I do think this many classes is over the top. FWIW, I do think I could get into one of my top choices, apparently I was very close at 2 of them- but I can't afford to wait another year...

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2013

Then the answer is obvious. Take the religious classes and look at it as a learning experience to enhance your knowledge of the bible. As you progress into your nursing classes and you possess a greater knowledge of the bible than most, think how the moral lessons from Christianity transfer so easily (or not so easily) to your nursing knowledge.

It's all about learning. One thing does concern me. You keep asking what will happen if you are "not christian enough". The college won't kick you out. There are no levels to Christianity. The only person who was truly the epitome of Christianity died for our sins on the cross. All those worshiping are just trying to act and live as Jesus would have. Often they fail.

Also, I might recommend reading "Sinners in the hands of an Angry God" to get a really good reference concerning how much religion has changed in America in two and half centuries. (short essay)

Either way, I wish you the best of luck in your journey and whatever you decide!

suzw · May 27, 2016

jist found this thread in my bookmarks folder, I had forgotten about it. In case anyone else is still getting notifications on it, just letting you know that I did choose the community college. That Christian school was just too much. Shortly after writing this, I was accepted into the community college. Around this time, I found that the CC has a higher NCLEX pass rate (around 96%) than the Christian university. I then talked to someone on the state education board who highly recommended the CC, said he works with them all the time, and knew nothing about the Christian university. So I accepted their admissions offer and started that fall.

I went on to get my ADN at that school, graduated with honors, and am now working as an RN at a SNF while I finish up my RN to BSN at the UW, which is the school I wanted to get into in the first place. One more quarter.

So it all worked out. The CC was a better fit, and I got a great education. It's taking a little longer to get the BSN but I was able to start working as a RN in the same time frame. If anyone is still around, thanks for all your help!