Frustrations! Getting into school...

[mom2cka]

I'm curious to find out if any of you have run across this...

I'm applying for an RN program in northern Minnesota/Wisconsin... so far, I'm waiting to hear from 2 schools, but I heard back from a Wisconsin Community College today, regarding a 2 year RN program, and their first opening was in June of 2007!!! No wonder there's a nursing shortage...have you run across this? How did you either get through the wait or get into the program ahead of the waiting period? Any advice? Unfortunately, there are only 3 schools (2 community and 1 private) that even offer nursing programs (LPN or RN) that would be less than a 1 hour drive...

Thanks!

Ann

[caliotter3]

My friend lives in a big city and found a program with spaces going unfilled. But of course the reason is probably the high (something way over $500 a semester hour) tuition this private college charges. Who can afford that? No wonder they have unfilled spaces.

[Vsummer1]

If I were to drive "down the hill" to the big city, the wait would be YEARS. I had to wait one semester. In fact, one person checked here and decided to attend here rather than down there. And this program is supposed to be one of the top in the State (who made this statement I cannot be sure...) but our NCLEX pass rate is very high. Small college syndrome works here -- since our classes are transferable to the Universities, they really are big on the fact that they may be small but are NOT inferior. Our grads are hired at UCLA as RN's so I guess something is being done right!

D/t the shortage they accepted more students in the program this semester than ever before, at 59. They pulled in some of the retired instructors to come in and work part time in skills lab so they could get us through the first 6 weeks. There simply was not enough time to get us all checked off on everything everyone needed. According to the fire marshall, we don't even have a lecture hall large enough to accomodate us all, so they lecture in the skills lab with microphones.

[Mkue]

Originally posted by caliotter3

My friend lives in a big city and found a program with spaces going unfilled. But of course the reason is probably the high (something way over $500 a semester hour) tuition this private college charges. Who can afford that? No wonder they have unfilled spaces.

I did a lot of my pre-reqs at a private college, very expensive for those who do not get grants, scholarships, etc. I think they had spots open in their BSN program but they don't offer a 2 yr. degree.

[LIL_BIT]

I'm surprised I attend a comunity college in Texas and for the associates program they actually accept people without having finished their prereq's. A girl in one of my classes is finishing the prereq's while already in attenedance for her nursing classes.

[Mkue]

Hi LIL_BIT and Welcome, that's a cute name.

I've heard of being able to take Microbiology while in a nursing program.

[dianthe1013]

My school offers an ADN program only, with no waiting list. If you do not make the cut for one semester, you must reapply for the next...and the next...and the next.

The GPA requirements are not stringent at all. You must have a 2.0 on general education courses, and a 2.5 on nursing prereqs. If you meet the GPA requirements, then you are ranked according to your score on the NLN pre-admission exam (PAX). Higher scores get in first. If you have not finished your prereqs, most may be completed with conditional acceptance to the program...provided you have the scores.

In theory, you could have a rock-bottom GPA and ace the PAX and have no problem getting in. The converse, however, is NOT true. There is a minimum composite and subscore requirement...and it's a killer. :)

Donna :)

[Mkue]

Originally posted by dianthe1013

My school offers an ADN program only, with no waiting list. If you do not make the cut for one semester, you must reapply for the next...and the next...and the next.

The GPA requirements are not stringent at all. You must have a 2.0 on general education courses, and a 2.5 on nursing prereqs. If you meet the GPA requirements, then you are ranked according to your score on the NLN pre-admission exam (PAX). Higher scores get in first. If you have not finished your prereqs, most may be completed with conditional acceptance to the program...provided you have the scores.

In theory, you could have a rock-bottom GPA and ace the PAX and have no problem getting in. The converse, however, is NOT true. There is a minimum composite and subscore requirement...and it's a killer. :)

Donna :)

Hi Donna ! Wow no waiting list !

[nurs4kids]

Donna,

I'm in Bham.."Hi" btw..

My husband's seriously considering nsg school. Where are you going?? I thought all the local schools had strict gpa requirements AND waiting lists..

I was talking to someone from Wallace today, she wasn't sure about the waiting list..said they have a huge class..

is that where you're going too??

Tracy

[Love-A-Nurse]

hi tracy. i am in b'ham too. i didn't know schools here had a waiting list but i didn't check information regarding all of them either.

jeff state only or willl have only a generic program (i believe this was the last semester for lpns to take the upward mobility route) now so that may constitue a waiting list for them in the near future.

i do think the disadvantage of the schools i know of, only admit once a year because of instructors, etc.

all the best to your husband.