Nursing School Admissions-still Very Difficult, Why

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hello to all at this wonderful forum...I need to vent..I'm filling out my application for school...when I attended an open-house in the spring, I was discouraged by the attitude of the recruiter...I have a 3.4 overall average...my science average is 2.3 [i'm retaking Microbiology this semester to improve my science average]....the only C's & B's I've earned are in the sciences...I was told this indicates I might not be able to handle nursing coursework...I worked very hard to past 2 years getting my pre-req's [made dean's list] and I worked full time...being a nurse is a life long dream of mine...with the shortage,, I just thought there woulde be more positive feed back...I've worked as a cadiac monitor tech...med-surg tech...and as a clinical secretary....I've seen all sides of nursing....am I chasing bubbles??:confused:

Yes schools are very particular about grades especially your science/math because those are the most important. You will need to know it for your nursing courses and the advisor and instructors want you and expect that you have a firm knowledge of science before you start nursing school because in nursing school you will expand that knowledge. I did not have the highest science/math GPA either it was only a 2.9 and I was accepted although I personally wished my science GPA was higher. Everyone should make every effort to obtain the highest GPA before starting nursing school and some people do make complete turn arounds for the better when they start nursing school. It depends on how much determination and motivation an individual has.

I think it depends. Did you get B's in Anatomy and physiology? Did you get B's in Micro? Chemistry is important, yes, but not nearly as important as a&p and micro, as far as relevance to nursing is concerned. You do need a good understanding of these sciences to be a nurse. Making a B in the course demonstrates good understanding. Making a C is borderline. If micro was your weak class, then retaking it is a good idea.

I don't think you're 'chasing bubbles,' per se. I think you have a shot. Look, you made the Dean's List, and hopefully it wasn't by taking a bunch of crip courses. If you took a full course load of moderately difficult courses and still made the dean's list, plus maintained a good GPA, I think you have a decent chance of getting into A school of nursing, maybe not the particular one you're talking about. As far as being able to 'handle' the nursing curriculum, well, the only way to find that out is to do it and see.

Talk to some other schools in the area. Apply to the one you've talked about in this post, as well as a few others. If your dream is to be a nurse, stay determined and keep applying to schools and taking classes. Do not be discouraged because of one conversation with one recruiter from one school. She may just be, well, crabby and nasty and have that attitude with everyone. Hang in there!

Hang in there. It might be that the professor is just hitting burn out.

But, even though there is a shortage, nursing school must still remain to be competitive! The nursing profession needs smart and intuitive nurses, not just warm bodies to fill the roster. Nurses are a little short in this area, but our school still requires a 3.25 GPA to stay here (in nursing classes and sciences), and a 3.0 overall Cummulative. Many colleges have the same requirements. If they dont meet them, they can lose their rank, and possibly even their accreditation status. Lots for the faculty to consider.

But, dont worry too much. As long as you made the dean's list taking "real" classes (ie-not water polo or underwater basketweaving, and other fillers) you should be ok. You can handle whatever you "chose to handle". Meaning that everything is possible if you are willing to put in the time and effort. Hope everything works out for you!

BEST OF LUCK!!!

BrandyBSN

Well girl, Hang in there. I too have to work real hard to get in the Nursing College for fall 2003 and I am determine to maintain at least a 3.8GPA. I have just started my prerequisites and doing good so far but I know that the other subjects can be real difficult.

I am not bad at maths and so I have hopes. Dont worry God will work things out for you. Just keep on working hard.

Good luck!!

I sent you a private message. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me!!

Keep your options open!!!

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