Hello All - I am searching for an honest opinion!!
I am currently in the process of applying for a few nursing programs around the Kansas City area! I have a BA and an MBA (neither related to nursing).
Upon applying to these programs, I worry that my gpa for my BA (3.2) may hinder my ability to get in! My MBA gpa is 4.0. Anyway, im hoping to get an interview with the schools I apply for, just because I think I can explain my desire to become a nurse a lot easier in person than on paper! But I am a little worried about going in for an interview!
I am an African American female, and I'm really not sure if that could potentially be a disadvantage. Just want to hear opinions. I am asking because one school I looked up was the University of Kansas nursing program. I would love to attend this one as I have heard it was a great school, but even just looking at the photos online of their nursing program, I don't see much diversity at all. It can sometimes be a bit discouraging.
I really think finding a program that values diversity not only with race but gender, previous schooling background, work experience, etc. would be beneficial! Any ideas on this? Thoughts? Advice on schools?
I am side-eyeing the hell out of some of these comments as many don't seem to realize that the number one group that has benefited from affirmative action is white women. And let's not kid ourselves into thinking the playing field is truly leveled for minorities because it isn't.
Anyway, I had no problem getting into nursing with my 3.9+ gpa, multiple volunteer experiences and my kick-ass essays. And I am black. I would be pisses if someone assumed I only got into nursing school, graduated MC, and passed the boards on my first try with 75 questions due to my ethnicity.
Your black friend doesn't speak for all minorities. And I am getting a feel that some people on this thread believe that discrimination against people of color doesn't happen anymore.
Unless you have been a person a color and lived as one, you can't really say it doesn't exist. And even so, people of color are diverse and have varied experiences so one cannot speak for all.
Nah, a good (civil, respectful) debate is the grassroots of AN :)
Well, I suppose I could see your parents/grandparents discrimination and raise you one: I personally have experienced bigotry, it didn't stop with my grandparents or parents. I am white....but I am also Jewish, and that's where it gets murky. No Affirmative Action in place for us
Discrimination is discrimination. And regardless of the fact that there NEEDED to be an equalizer in place at one time (a time that is PASSED, imho), there no longer is such a need. I completely agree with you that there DID need to be something that made it easier for minority applicants to gain placement in schools and jobs. But when we've reached the point where the preferential treatment has outlived its usefulness, we need to return the playing field back to level ground again.
At one time, being non-white meant less of a chance. Then (and now, still, as AA hasn't been repealed) it means that being non-white is an advantage. At what point do you suppose those who are in favor of Affirmative Action will be willing to say that this kind of discrimination is wrong?
I have a friend, black (NOT African American, but black) who hates Affirmative Action with a passion. He tells me that since the assumption is that he got into college, medical school because he's black he's also less intelligent, less qualified. Fact of the matter is he's a pretty darned good physician, BUT....he lives under a cloud of "you probably got your place in the class because of AA".
I wonder at what point people who favor AA will realize that it's not worth living under that cloud of doubt?
Anyway, debate is good. It makes you think. And if you're headed to nursing school, LOL, you've got LOTS of that ahead!
Typically the photos are stock photos, at least that's what my school used. Your RACE (why did you put that in caps?) won't be an issue. And having a stellar GPA in another field doesn't always correlate to nursing school. It's a whole different breed of school all together. Best of luck.
Typically the photos are stock photos, at least that's what my school used. Your RACE (why did you put that in caps?) won't be an issue. And having a stellar GPA in another field doesn't always correlate to nursing school. It's a whole different breed of school all together. Best of luck.
The race in all caps is a great way to get the discussion going. Think of it as good marketing. The OP hasn't been inflammatory at all, nor has anyone else, for that matter. It's been an intelligent, respectful discussion.
2) You have an undergrad degree and graduate degree
If any educational institution won't accept you based on race despite the fact you have completed those degrees and you live in Kansas City, I would say that they are on a path to going broke. Even if they were prejudice, I can't see them turning you away with your credentials.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
In my state, the race is asked on applications for everything from college apps to welfare.
I understand that this is to allow the fed govmt to assure that minorities aren't being discriminated against.
I don't necessarily believe that this racial identification is taken into account by the admission boards.
That being said: unless your school is on a pure merit system, there may be no way to know whether the app committee took your race into account when making their decision.
As for me, and the reason I find this post relevant, is I am the only black or AA person in my RN program.
It bothers me a bit to notice that there are so few blacks/AAs in my class...
Not sure if it matters tho. It's just a personal observation of mine.
I am side-eyeing the hell out of some of these comments as many don't seem to realize that the number one group that has benefited from affirmative action is white women. And let's not kid ourselves into thinking the playing field is truly leveled for minorities because it isn't.
Anyway, I had no problem getting into nursing with my 3.9+ gpa, multiple volunteer experiences and my kick-ass essays. And I am black. I would be pisses if someone assumed I only got into nursing school, graduated MC, and passed the boards on my first try with 75 questions due to my ethnicity.
That was the point. HE didn't appreciate it either. But you can't say no one is going to THINK that....because....AA is the elephant in the middle of the room.
I am white and my daughter lists herself as white. When she was in the 3rd grade she was tested for the gifted program..she missed the cut off by 2 points (cut-off is Genius at 130). Having a friend whom teaches gifted classes in our county, she informed us if she would have been a minority my daughter would have easily made it into the program as children of ethnic background have a cut off as much as 10-15 points lower. These are facts and it is very sad, especially when people continue to claim discrimination and also that me and my family have not experienced discrimination based on color or lack thereof.
She was tested again a few years later and scored above the genuis cut-off, but it gets old hearing about lack of opportunity for minorities. You can't walk in others peoples shoes thinking your the only one that gets discriminated against. Realize EVERYONE gets discriminated against. It happens everyday to ALL races.
* This is only one of several things throughout my life on constant.
Your black friend doesn't speak for all minorities. And I am getting a feel that some people on this thread believe that discrimination against people of color doesn't happen anymore.
Unless you have been a person a color and lived as one, you can't really say it doesn't exist. And even so, people of color are diverse and have varied experiences so one cannot speak for all.
Right....he can't speak for ALL. But neither can you. I'm not saying racism doesn't exist....and as I already said, it's NOT just against those who are "people of color". I got the joy of anti-semitism first hand, many times. So....I can speak out for me, like you can speak for you....and my friend can speak for himself (or, in this case, THROUGH me).
The point is that while there are bigots everywhere, and there ARE people who will be discriminated against, I don't see why a white male has to have less of a shot at a school placement because XX number of seats must go to black (or other color of person) female. Again, schools are open about their % of minority enrollment....but it's not as if they reserve seats for non-minorities. They seem to get filled after XX% of minority enrollment is guaranteed. What the college admissions counselors know full-well is that the candidates are NOT typically equal, but an advantage, an edge...."preference points" can be awarded to the applicant who is NOT up to the same par as another, but IS the "right" race to fill the spot.
Look, it's a hot issue, and maybe it's NOT going to stay a polite debate; if you are biting your tongue now and "looking sideways" at posts now...it doesn't bode well for future ones.
Gets back to the same thing, though: why is preferential placement ok when it's this group...but not that? Why preferential placement at all? Why NOT allow grades, essays, volunteerism, etc (like you did!) to BE the deciding factor...so we all know those who do achieve have deserved to achieve....rather than allow 'preference points' for minorities "just because"? You don't want anyone thinking you didn't deserve what you rightfully achieved....but how is it you don't know some of them already are?
KU is an affirmative action school. Not all state schools have AA action plans anymore, but they still do. Therefore your race should be a help, not a hindrance. Good luck. Apply to several schools. As long as the school has accreditation the best school is the one that accepts you, though it doesn't hurt to have a favorite in case you have to choose.
For those stating discrimination no longer exists, I wish that was the case. I can't speak for being non white since I look white and that's usually enough, but I've experienced discrimination for something as simple as being poor or my weight, all the way up to religion and "marrying outside my race" because my ex husband was obviously Native American. There is a huge disconnect, at least here in the states, where we just don't get it. We don't experience it. There's a reason we have so many different protected classes.
Right....he can't speak for ALL. But neither can you. I'm not saying racism doesn't exist....and as I already said, it's NOT just against those who are "people of color". I got the joy of anti-semitism first hand, many times. So....I can speak out for me, like you can speak for you....and my friend can speak for himself (or, in this case, THROUGH me).
The point is that while there are bigots everywhere, and there ARE people who will be discriminated against, I don't see why a white male has to have less of a shot at a school placement because XX number of seats must go to black (or other color of person) female. Again, schools are open about their % of minority enrollment....but it's not as if they reserve seats for non-minorities. They seem to get filled after XX% of minority enrollment is guaranteed. What the college admissions counselors know full-well is that the candidates are NOT typically equal, but an advantage, an edge...."preference points" can be awarded to the applicant who is NOT up to the same par as another, but IS the "right" race to fill the spot.
Look, it's a hot issue, and maybe it's NOT going to stay a polite debate; if you are biting your tongue now and "looking sideways" at posts now...it doesn't bode well for future ones.
Gets back to the same thing, though: why is preferential placement ok when it's this group...but not that? Why preferential placement at all? Why NOT allow grades, essays, volunteerism, etc (like you did!) to BE the deciding factor...so we all know those who do achieve have deserved to achieve....rather than allow 'preference points' for minorities "just because"? You don't want anyone thinking you didn't deserve what you rightfully achieved....but how is it you don't know some of them already are?
And as long as you live in America someone will always think that. That's a big part of the problem. No matter how smart and accomplished you are some idiot will always think you are there because of AA or the like. Even if AA was abolished tomorrow they'll say "oh, she must have gone to school before the cutoff". Nature of the beast.
ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP
1 Article; 2,594 Posts
I am side-eyeing the hell out of some of these comments as many don't seem to realize that the number one group that has benefited from affirmative action is white women. And let's not kid ourselves into thinking the playing field is truly leveled for minorities because it isn't.
Anyway, I had no problem getting into nursing with my 3.9+ gpa, multiple volunteer experiences and my kick-ass essays. And I am black. I would be pisses if someone assumed I only got into nursing school, graduated MC, and passed the boards on my first try with 75 questions due to my ethnicity.