Found out some very disturbing information today!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I was chatting with another student from one of my classes today and she told me something very disturbing about the school that we are attending and the nursing program. She told me that getting into the nursing program for us is going to be very hard because of all the politics that go on at this school. It seems that certain groups of people get first choice and then others are doing unmentionable favors for the selection commitee to get accepted. She informed me that grades dont matter, the only thing that does matter is how far you are willing to lower your standards to do these certain favors. I am so disgusted at the remote possibility that this could be true that I am now thinking about a university instead. The school that I am attending is convenient and cheap. I dont know if I will be able to afford the tuition at a university and dont know what I should do. My question is: Is there any kind of laws governing how a college conducts their admissions policies? I dont think this is fair by any means, and I know that we should be weary of things we hear from others but this person is very credible. Thank you all for any suggestions you can offer. :angryfire

Nearly every school has a waiting list for their nursing program, be it LPN, ADN, or BSN. Most, if not all, also have some sort of stringent selection process that isn't based purely on GPA. I was told after completing my pre-req's with a 4.0 that the wait could possibly be up to one year before I was admitted into the program. However, this is the same thing everyone was told who was interviewing for a slot in the upcoming class. I was given a number (52) for a class that would take 40; so my hopes of getting in were dashed. Needless to say, that number was just that, a number used for tracking purposes. I was notified within a week that I had been accepted, while some with lower numbers were denied entry. A lot of different variables are considered in the selection process and GPA is just one of those variables. Nursing school is HARD! Not so much the material you are learning as much as the pace. When the selection committe is interviewing potential students they are looking to find the students who will most likely be able to handle the full scope and go on to graduate. My best advice for anyone trying to get in to nursing school is to keep up your GPA, do some volunteer work, or somehow be an active participant in your community. Leadership ability is a big deal. College entrance interviews are just like job interviews, you have got to be able to sell yourself. Don't get me wrong, GPA is very important, as you need a decent one to get accepted into the nursing program, but it isn't and shouldn't be the only determining factor. As far as the rumors about "favors" go, I'd take that with a grain of salt. I highly doubt it's true. Students who don't get accepted into the program often times refuse to take responsibility for their poor interview or application that is lacking in the extracurricular and start making up excuses to make themselves feel better. After high school, you can't just slide by on grades.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I have found that the rumor mill is always up, running and open for business.

We had a particularly vicious rumor circulating at the end of my first semester that our school had lost its accreditation. It had even the instructors scrambling for the truth. The poor 4th semester students who were about to graduate must have had something close to an MI. Even more damaging is that the rumor started circulating in the HR departments of local facilities. Of course there was no truth to the rumor but SOMEONE started it. My guess is that it was a disgruntled student who just didn't make the cut somewhere in the process.

About the GPA being the sole criteria for selection, I agree that that's a pretty narrow way to select students. I like the point system our school uses. It gives credit for GPA, residency status, preadmission exam scores which get a lot of weight in the points department, work experience, etc. It's pretty simple, if you don't make the point cutoff, you don't get in. No waiting list. Just reapply. Generally if one doesn't get in on the second try, it aint gonna happen.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.

Never believe what you here. For instance, yesterday we got into class. I always arrive early because I have to drop the kids off at the school day care before class. When I got there the rumor was we had a quiz. Everyone was freaking because over half the class had failed the test last week. So everyone was busy quizzing each other and all worked up. The teacher came in and started lecturing. At the end of the class some of the girls asked "What about our quiz, the other instructor said we were going to have a quiz?" Todays lecture teacher had no idea what they were talking about.

Now as far as the pulling out of a hat. Here is what happens at our school. We do not sign up for our courses. They put us in our course. There are choices as far as clinicals but that is when the hat thing happens. We are allowed to say this is my first choice, second choice and third. But if more then 8 people want one place then they will draw to see who gets to go there.

Good luck, and please don't believe what others said unless you actually have physical hard proof that it is true. :)

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"Only believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear."

ITA, and ohh so true.

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rumors about weird stuff runs rampant here too, just think positively, keep that 4.0 and don't worry about the other bullcrap. I think people really try to discourage others from applying because it boosts their own chances of acceptance.

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I wouldn't have believed that one for a minute. I have heard alot of bologna at school also, nothing like that of course, but there are students that think they have it all figured out. They are beginning their pre nursing courses and think they know it all. I have heard so many different things at my school from people just starting their pre req's. If I have a question, I go to the counselor and ask or call the nursing department. Wouldn't they get a kick out of that if you called them and asked about that rumor, heheh.

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rumors about weird stuff runs rampant here too, just think positively, keep that 4.0 and don't worry about the other bullcrap. I think people really try to discourage others from applying because it boosts their own chances of acceptance.

You are so right on with that. I haven't met a whole lot but one in particular who looks at everyone going into nursing as a potential threat. I don't feel that way, I am there to get an education and hopefully all A's. I don't fret about what other's are making on their grades. I wish everyone well in school. I wonder why some peole are like that though, very cut throat about competition. Who knows aye?

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I mean, I wouldn't think that nursing has a hi lez appeal :)

I would go to someone in the nursing program and mention that this rumor is going around. That way, they can deny it -- and, if it were true, then I imagine the hanky-panky would have to be a lot more discrete.

We had so many rumors that the admissions person finally put up an 'faq' on the school website. Thank God! The rumors went from students from foreign countries having preference, to men being treated preferentially, and that students with "better grades" were going to be taken over people with relatively lower grades. (People have to have a 'B' average in required classes to qualify to apply, but after that, grades don't matter. Some of us 4.0-ers wished there were!)

NurseFirst

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I wouldnt fret the rumor. There are just so many rumors that fly around schools, especially in the nursing program. Just do what the others have said and take it like a grain of salt. No need to worry about it.

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I wouldn't have believed that one for a minute. I have heard alot of bologna at school also, nothing like that of course, but there are students that think they have it all figured out. They are beginning their pre nursing courses and think they know it all. I have heard so many different things at my school from people just starting their pre req's. If I have a question, I go to the counselor and ask or call the nursing department. Wouldn't they get a kick out of that if you called them and asked about that rumor, heheh.

Gosh I remember being told something and it turned out to be untrue. I tend to go by my own investigations and NOT by what others have told me. Especially someone who doesnt have a clue. LOL

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Thanks for all the replies. I am not going to listen to anyone anymore. If I have a question I will go to the right people. Why do people have to be so mean. Sometimes people are mean and dont even realize it, I just dont get it. I just want to get through nursing and do what I love, care for people. Anyhoo, thanks again.

Michelle

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Thanks for all the replies. I am not going to listen to anyone anymore. If I have a question I will go to the right people. Why do people have to be so mean. Sometimes people are mean and dont even realize it, I just dont get it. I just want to get through nursing and do what I love, care for people. Anyhoo, thanks again.

Michelle

I'm glad you've reached that decision..... this semester we have had a person spread rumors about one of our professors.

This person told other classes about tantrums, yelling, people walking out of class because he was so crazy. The rumor teller forgot that several of us were actually in the class she was lying about. ABSOLUTELY NONE of the things she was saying ever occured! I've been there for every class, both before and after lectures and labs. When we reminded her that we were in fact there, she was so caught up in the lie that she insisted it happen.

Unfortunately, this person tells stories in such a believable manner and tone of voice that had I not been there, I may have believed her.

I do like to know anything about a particular prof's teaching style, or tests... other stuff I don't pay any attention to. Gossip is not usually completely factual.

Hugs!

MaryRose

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