Are fewer students applying to nursing programs?

[WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN]

I was just wondering if anybody had observed that fewer people were applying to nursing programs in their area. At one of the schools I was going to apply to (I didn't wind up applying, even though I took the TEAS test and went to orientations etc) I saw that they have extended their application deadline, provided second priority application, and are admitting students who haven't finished all pre-reqs (this was unheard of just one semester before). I don't know if this is because of the CNA requirement the school has imposed on applicants or because there is now a decreased interest in nursing than a year ago.

[grownuprosie]

I think it has alot to do with the CNA requirement rather than decreased interest. A school in my area surprised all of the applicants with a CNA requirement a few months before applications were due. That year there were significantly less applicants. (Mostly just the ones working as CNA's anyway.) A year later, once aspiring students were no longer blindsided by the requirement, applicants went back up. The wait for a local CNA course went up too!

[OnMyWay23]

We don't need to have our CNA at the college I am waiting to hear from for their BSN program. Enrollment is down there which is highly unusual as they never have a problem filling seats. Right now they are still taking applications for Fall 2012 until they fill the seats. All the hospitals here want their graduates. I guess that is the trend at most of the nursing schools in this area as well. Not sure why.