How many times did you apply to the Nursing Program?

[lunakat]

I just saw a news article yesterday about how California is implementing the nurse to patient ratio. Yippee! But my local news station did a story on the nursing shortage that really bummed me out. The local colleges offer nursing programs but the programs is short handed. Even though there is a nursing shortage they are putting students on a wait list to get into the local programs. They interviewed a girl who is still trying to get into Fresno City College but has been turned down because there is not enough room. They say that for each semester 300 who qualify apply and only 80 are accepted because of the lack of space. They say it can take 2 years to get in! I met a girl who has finished all her prereqs and applied at different college but was turned down because they base it on your GPA, meaning those who are higher get in first. They told her they couldn't even guarantee she would ever get in. This really bummed me out. So my question is how many times did you apply before you got in?

[FarmgrrlRN]

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

get your pre-req's knocked out if you want to get into nursing school. simple as that.

I guess I am one of lucky ones... competition here is fierce to get into the local BSN program...I was wait listed there

BUT, I also applied at our local ADN program and was accepted on my first try...all because my pre-req's were completed. The usual ones: Micro, A&P I & II, and English composition. The ADN program has three tiers for preference. The top one requires all 4 be completed for 100 spots. If they have over 100 qualified then they look at your GPA. I was #69 and I had a 2.76 (I failed two classes 7 years ago due to extreme immaturity and they kept it on my record! ... but I'm re-taking those classes to get me up over a 3.0).

[shayraquelle]

I was lucky and was accepted the first time I applied. At my school, you have to have a 2.7 and a passing score on the NET. My GPA was a 3.4, but I scored in top 5% on the NET. They also take in consideration how many credit hours of prereqs were taken at the school and not transferred- and if u already had a degree in anything!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I've been an RN for 5 years and I got in on the first try . . .BUT it was the first year our nursing school had used a lottery system.

I remember feeling happy that I got in but sad that I didn't get in on merit. It was all just a "toss of the dice". Not great on the self-esteem.

There is no lottery system now . .thank goodness.

steph

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

It doesn't matter if you have a 4.0 if there just aren't enough nursing instructors for the students. That's the problem at my cc. We turned down 7 out of 8 students who applied for the 2005 class (about to enter this fall). It is a shame. Had good applicants. Just not enough instructors (no one, not even BSN nurses answering our want-ads). A lot of prospective students are now waiting 2 or 3 years to get into our program. The state of NC is not helping much. The latest budget was "insult to injury" in terms of cc faculty salaries. (See my thread under Nursing Activism). This is what is REALLY happening behind the scenes.