bye, bye safety net

[kats]

Well, I am applying to 2 different RN programs for next January. They both receive 300 qualified applications and only have 40 spots. One puts all qualifying applications into a group and then picks the students by lottery. The other one says that they only go by grades, but they also take letters of reccommendation from professors and also application essays. My gpa is 3.7 so I am not too worried about that, I know my profs will send good letters and I know my application essay is good (partly due to help from some of you all). Unfortunately, all that may not be good enough. I have to wait until December to find out. That is why I had also applied to the surgical technologist program at one of the schools so I would have a back up. I am interested in surgery too so I figured that if nothing else, I could start as a surgical tech and then go back to school later for my RN. I just got a letter in the mail today saying that due to financial cutbacks, the surgical tech program has been cancelled for at least one year, maybe more. Nice, huh? I know that what I really want is to be an RN. I also know that if I don't get into one of the 2 programs I can just keep taking the other classes required for applying to the BSN program. It's just kind of a bummer and I wanted to vent with people who would really understand.

Kimberly

p.s. Let's just hope that the safety net wasn't needed after all and I am worrying for nothing. I just wish I didn't have to wait until December. That seems like cruel and unusual punishment to me, don't you think?

[love4neos]

From what it sounds like, I don't think you are going to have any problems getting in to a school. Schools sometimes say they get 300 or more applicants, but I wouldn't believe that. If there were that many people wanting to go to nursing school, there would be more nursing schools....get it?!! Just say a little prayer, if it's God's will for you to be a nurse, you will get your chance to become a nurse!! Keep your chin up.

[babynursewannab]

I'll agree on one point with love4neos: You appear to have a really good chance of getting in.

Unfortunately, though, the prevalence of nursing schools is not dependant upon the number of interested students. It depends on the availability of faculty. A problem many schools have been running into (which is aiding the shortage and the large number of students being turned away) is the fact that the majority of RN's who have gone through higher education to become teachers get paid a heck of a lot less than if they were in the field. This is where the biggest problem lies. In fact, there are new government funded aid programs to try to lure field nurses into the teaching profession, but it's not working as well as they hoped it would have by now. Believe me, the nursing schools would absolutely adore to admit every single qualified candidate, but for the most part, their hands are tied. It's very, very sad.

kats, good luck. I know it is a long, hard wait. In my experience, though, if something is wanted badly enough...it usually happens. Maybe not when planned...but it happens.

(((hugs)))

[Love-A-Nurse]

originally posted by babynursewannab

i'll agree on one point with love4neos: you appear to have a really good chance of getting in.

unfortunately, though, the prevalence of nursing schools is not dependant upon the number of interested students. it depends on the availability of faculty. a problem many schools have been running into (which is aiding the shortage and the large number of students being turned away) is the fact that the majority of rn's who have gone through higher education to become teachers get paid a heck of a lot less than if they were in the field. this is where the biggest problem lies. in fact, there are new government funded aid programs to try to lure field nurses into the teaching profession, but it's not working as well as they hoped it would have by now. believe me, the nursing schools would absolutely adore to admit every single qualified candidate, but for the most part, their hands are tied. it's very, very sad.

kats, good luck. i know it is a long, hard wait. in my experience, though, if something is wanted badly enough...it usually happens. maybe not when planned...but it happens.

(((hugs)))

alyssa, well said.

kats, i too wish you the best and pray you get accepted.

[2banurse]

I have to echo Stephany and also say Well said, Alyssa. I believe that is the major obstacle in accepting more nursing students...not enough faculty. As being an educator, particularly a nursing educator, is a goal of mine, I am hoping that by the time I get to this point there will be some changes.

Kris