wait list for the R.N. program

[3kidsmomma]

:o

I am very upset, disappointed and angry. I did everything as told by my counselor and school guidelines. I completed my pre-req's passed all my classes with A's and B's except for my Science's which I received all C's. My GPA is above a 2.0 it is a 3.0. and I still was not excepted. They sent me a letter stating that they have reached the maximum capacity for the 2003 Nursing program and that I will put on a wait list. I am number 12 and my counselor told me it will not happen this year. Therefore, I have to wait another year and they are changing the requirements all the time at my school as far as getting into it. My counselor has told me that they went by ranking. 1st by pre-req's, 2nd letter grades, and 3rd by GPA. As I indicated to her I have passed everything, passed with both good and decent grades and have a 3.00 GPA and can't seem to understand what the problem is. She stated that their were people who scored higher, but as I told her. I was advised that all your pre-req's need to be completed and as long as you had a gpa of 2.00 you were eligible. I don't understand. I have more then enough plus some additional classes. She still gave me the run- around as well as the enrollement specialist of the Nursing program and the nursing director at school. But the best part is that she told me I can apply for the 2004 program but I am not guaranteed even though I am on the waiting List. We'll if that is the case I could be waiting years and will never become a R.N. I feel short changed and am very upset!!. I am even thinking about changing my major. I just can't understand with such a big shortage of nurses why is it so hard to get into this program, especially since it is only a community college?? Has anybody ever gone through this

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Incidentally I saw an ad for adjunct (?) profs at a local CC in a neighborhood paper. It listed all the departments that needed instructors, then next to nursing it said "Critical Need!"

They better come up with something better than a "Critical Need" want-ad. The average MSN nurse can make at least $20,000 MORE yearly out in practice than in teaching in an ADN program. I have a BSN and lost $10,000/year from leaving a staff nurse position to teaching.

[nekhismom]

When i applied to nursing school, i didn't need any pre-reqs, only gen. ed. classes. I was told i would be wait-listed, but I was permitted to take the RN entrance HESI exam for the program. LOTS of people failed, I can't remember how many right now, but I got in. Come to find out, our school had a 2 year waiting list ( A CC), but many couldn't make the grades on pre-reqs or pass the HESI entrance exam. Also, the year i was accepted, they dropped some of the pre-reqs like Calculus. So, it just so happened that I was in the right place at the right time. Now, our school once again has a 2 year waiting list, and the school is on probation because they only graduated one nurse in the fall semester. There were only 3 people in that class, and 2 of them didn't pass the HESI for that semester, so they didn't get to atttend the graduation. Lots of people don't get in, then lots of people fail and waste spots for others. Number 12 isn't the worst spot to be, but I know it is still frustrating!!!

[lunakat]

Believe me I know how you feel. I am not sure if I will get into the spring program. However, I already have a back up plan. If I don't get in for spring, I will have to reapply for fall. So While I wait to get in, I am going to take CNA classes to pass the time (gotta do something while I wait). Then depending how long I am going to have to wait to get into the RN program I may take the LVN and then go through the LVN to RN program. Good Luck to you though.

[flemmac]

For God's sake don't give up. The same thing happened to me.. passed all of my pre-reqs with an A or B and had a 3.0, well I applied and was put on a waiting list. They go by a points scale. Wouldn't you know they just started it right before it was time for me to submit my application. Some people said they would never get seated and changed over to LPN thinking it would be quicker to get seated that way, but my husband told me to stay right where I was.

The points scale is like 3 pts. for a A, 2 pts for a B, 1 pt for a C, but if you have a previous degree in anything then you get like 7 pts and I don't have a previous degree so other people got seated before me, but YOU NEVER WILL BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED

I was called two weeks later after the letters were sent out and they asked me if I still wanted a seat.. Because of the shortage they started a new class at one of their satellite locations instead of being at the main campus (this college has about 5 locations)..

WHO KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN

I SAID ALL OF THAT TO SAY THIS... WITH GOD ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.. THE COUNSELOR EVEN TOLD ME THAT I WAS WAY DOWN ON THE WAIT LIST AND SHE DON'T SEE HOW I GOT IN.. I TOLD HER IT WASN'T FOR HER TO UNDERSTAND... GOD GAVE ME THAT SEAT AND HE WORKED IT OUT..

GRADUATING NEXT MAY 2004

HANG IN THERE!

[RNIAM, BSN, RN]

Hi. I also think it would be a good idea to re-take your science classes. I know how hard that is to hear. There will always be way more people getting B's and A's over C's. If that college is the only one you can attend then increasing your grades in those science courses can only help.

You might want to look at other schools as well. Now that the word is out that nursing is the place to be. The spot will fill more quickly.

Good luck and I hope you get in next year!

[geekgolightly, BSN, RN]

re-take the courses. dont sit and wait on the sidelines. i know it seems unfair, but if they cant fit everyone in, they have to be selective.