, All you needed to get into Nursing school was a application & and "average joe.."

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 21, 2006

It's the way it is, and has been for a while now, and not just in public universities/colleges. Mainly, it boils down to two problematic issues that converge to make it so hard to be accepted:

1. Too few instructors/professors, meaning fewer slots for incoming students (the pay for these professionals is pitifully low, considering their vast experience and education, also many are retiring from teaching, or going back to patient care nursing, where the "money" is).

2. Too many applicants applying for what slots DO exist....(the economy and dot-com bust are very contributory---you have LOTS of 2nd and 3rd and beyond-career nursing students nowadays competing to get in).

These two issues together translate to the need for higher and more stringent requirements for entry to nursing school. (including rise in GPA requirements)

In 1995 when I was accepted, (after being rejected in 1994), one had to have all his/her prerequisite coursework done----and needed a pretty high GPA on all these classes, esp the pre-nursing ones, to even be CONSIDERED a viable candidate for nursing school. We also had to take the ACT and the score requirements were quite high, too.

Couple all that with a mini-essay and interview I had to do, discussing my future goals and aspirations as a nurse, and that made for stiff and unnerving entry requirements ; more than 100 applied, only 20 got in.

Things have only gotten tougher in 10 years, since. Unless and until more instructors and professors can be recruited in, and facilities available for clinical experiences ready, this is how it will be.

Good luck to you in achieving your dreams/goals in the nursing career field. Just keep plugging away, and if possible, do not put all your eggs on one basket. By that I mean, apply to as many schools of nursing as you can to increase your chances of being accepted by one of them.

RNsoon! · Oct 21, 2006

Hi,

Thank you sooooo much for responding in such a positive manner!

weetziebat · Oct 21, 2006

i can already imagine what responses i'll get....but anyway...i and im sure, alot of other people who are pursuing a degree in nursing are tired of some of the remarks that are made on this site regarding nursing school! it's already stressful for many of us who are trying to get into a program and to hear such things like " when will this end," "15 people dropped out of my nursing class last semester!!,"etc makes it even more stressful for us! nursing school is not easy , but im sure it's not "hell." i have known many people who applied and got accepted into nursing school with a 2.7.uhmmmm, thats "pretty average joe" to me and hey, they're pretty good nurses now.

seems like you've changed your tune. welcome to reality.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 21, 2006

You are welcome. You see, most of us really DO wish to encourage and/or mentor new and future nurses here. But we also wish to infuse reality as we do this, as it does not pay to set up folks for failure. We really NEED you to succeed!!!!!! Believe me.

RNsoon! · Oct 21, 2006

Well you grow and learn everyday! lol

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 21, 2006

You are welcome. You see, most of us really DO wish to encourage and/or mentor new and future nurses here. But we also wish to infuse reality as we do this, as it does not pay to set up folks for failure. We really NEED you to succeed!!!!!! Believe me.

You aren't kidding, Deb. There's about 76 million of us baby boomers who are going to need care as we grow old........we don't have a single nurse to waste! :idea:

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 22, 2006

Exactly right, Marla.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Oct 22, 2006

You aren't kidding, Deb. There's about 76 million of us baby boomers who are going to need care as we grow old........we don't have a single nurse to waste!

What's all this talk on other threads about shipping healtcare overseas and making nurses independent contractors's? I read that on another thread on here.

Does anyone really think that this will really happen?

I got into nursing for many reasons, and the job security was one of the big ones. :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

peds4now, RN · Oct 22, 2006

at my school all you have to do is complete the prereqs and get on the 1-1.5 year wait list! No GPA requirement except pass the prereqs. That's probably why we lose so many students, especially in the first class. Many of the people didn't have college-level reading comp skills (or high school for that matter). I just finished the first half of my third semester and we lost 5 more people (out of 40). I think we've lost about 15 so far (replaced of course by people who flunked out before us). I think there needs to be higher entrance standards (of course, I'm happy they didn't apply to me!!!!)

SharonH, RN · Oct 22, 2006

....Gpa....Now, you can't get into a public school's nursing program unless you have a 3.78 or above! How frustrating! Anyone else upset about this sudden change in the nursing admission at the public schools?!Vent away...............Opinions/inputs from Nurses are welcome aswell...

Good! I am glad to hear that they have raised standards. Nursing school is difficult, a lot more difficult that those who think it is not a big deal to be a nurse think. When they used to admit almost anyone, this led to people dropping out because the program was a lot harder than they expected and they simply could not do it. This way, everyone is saved time and money and nursing gets top caliber members.

wildmountainchild · Oct 22, 2006

There is another post on the board about "grade freaks" and the negative connotations thereof. I see it completely differently with how entrance requirements are. Be a grade freak! I am, and it got me into 3 out of the 5 programs I applied to the first time around (and I've got top grades). Because I was, and continue to be a freak about making good grades, I actually got to choose where I went to nursing school instead of just having to take what I could get.

I'm glad it was tough. Nursing school has been tough, and the weak won't make it.

I also find it interesting how some ADN programs have such a high drop out rate. It is such a waste of nursing school space to allow people into your program who are unlikely to succeed. It may sound harsh, but if you drop out too late for someone to take your space that opportunity to "create" a nurse is lost. The profession can't afford that right now (well, our patients can't anyway).

My advice for getting into nursing school......apply to as many programs as possible. Near, far, hither, tither......you get the point. You have to be willing to commute or relocate if you want to get it done in a timely manner.

Wheew....apparently I had a lot to say.