wait list for the R.N. program

iliel · Jul 30, 2003

As I'm sure you'll read here, lots of people have this problem. CC's are prob the most impacted of all nursing school due to it's cost. You have to look at it this way, for every C you recieved in a class, someone else may have gotten an A or B, thus putting them higher on the list. I know it sucks, I'm sure you worked really hard. My only advice is don't give up. You may want to re-take some of thoes classes again.

As for the shortage of nurses, there is also a shortage of teachers. I recently asked everyone here to post how many open spots the school has and how many people were applying. You should have seen the numbers! it's competitive.

I wish you nothing but luck! I think your advisor should have been more honest with you.

Oh, and welcome to the BB!!!!!

Wren · Jul 30, 2003

3KidsMomma

I am sorry for the way this didn't work out for you. It may be too late to do anything about this year but you never know. One thing to keep in mind is what my grandma always said "you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar". Since I never really wanted to catch flies I ignored her. But seriously, be as professional and calm and NICE as you can possibly be given your disappointment. Make them really, really sorry that such a lovely person like you didn't get in. If there is some wiggle room in the waiting list, you want to have a left a positive impression (not relief that they don't have to put up with you!)

Then, see if there is a nursing level class that you can take (you may have to get special permission for this) for instance, take pharmacology or pathophysiology or really any of the non-clinical but nursing type classs. Do a terrific job and make sure the instructor knows you are capable of doing a top notch work. When you apply next year, be sure you have a letter of recommendation from that instructor.

Good luck and I hope you don't give up....nursing is worth the wait! :nurse:

JenRNof2005 · Jul 31, 2003

Don't give up hope! I completed most of my prereq's, I had a great GPA, I applied early, and I was STILL placed on a waiting list. But guess what, some people dropped out, or didn't accept so I got in anyway!

Nightcrawler, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2003

I understand how you feel. I applied to my program last fall, to start in January of this year. I knew 20 other people that applied, and 2, other than myself that got in!

So once again I knew at least 25 people who applied again for admission this fall. Many of these were people who didn't get in the time before, and who had just been waiting. I only know one person in the new class, and she is someone who had applied for the first time.

Out of curiosity I asked one of the instructors how many people had applied. They said 185! For a program that accepts 30 people!!!!!! :eek:

The program says that they do admissions based upon a lottery system, with no thought or priority given to gpa, or admission letters. There is no interview. But I highly doubt that they tell the truth about that. I have seen a suspicious number of people with previous degrees. I see a amazing number of people who have already worked in healthcare as CNA's. I see a high number of adult students (of which I am one), and I see a lot of people who are highly motivated to get high grades. I think what they do is comb through the stacks of applications, choose those that they want based on applications and gpa, and then do a lottery for whatever spots are left.

This wouldn't bother me except they need to be up front about it. The way they are doing it now leaves no room for them to be regulated. Because they are not following their own rules, there is no way to hold them accountable for their decisions. It is not as if, by doing things the way they are that there is any higher of a retention rate in the classes. At the end of first semester we had already lost 1/3 of our class. Most of these are people who failed a class, and will have to petition to be added to the next, thereby taking up a spot that could be used by someone that is patiently waiting for the opportunity.

It would be better if they were to do several things. 1. Set out a set of standards for admission that do not allow those with C averages to think that they have a equal chance with those who get A's and B's---this just isn't fair. People are waiting months for a letter that they really don't have a shot at getting. Also, if people know that they need a 3.5 to get into a program they will work harder to get it. 2. Stick by the admission standards. When you play around with the rules, you often are disappointed with the results.

Don't get me wrong, I think that the program that I am in is great. The NCLEX pass rate is well over 80%. I feel extremely lucky to get in.

For those of you who have to wait to get into a program, I would suggest that you take whatever classes you can for general ed. If you are waiting to get into a ADN program, go ahead and get your associates in Health Science, or another related degree. The requirements are usually very close to the prereq's that you have already taken. This will also look good to your program because they will know that you don't have any other classes to take your time away from nursing work. You can also go into the division office and ask if there is anything that you can do to improve your chances. They may not tell you, but it can never hurt. Good luck. Do not give up. Know that you are not alone.:kiss :kiss

AmyLiz · Jul 31, 2003

Another idea for any ADN students waiting to get into the program...look into taking classes that will transfer to a BSN degree or BSN completer program. That is my plan. Once I am finished with the pre-req's & co-req's, if I am still on the wait list, I plan on taking classes that I can transfer to the BSN completion program that I plan on entering after I earn my ADN. Things like Organic and/or Biochemistry, specific nutrition classes, statistics, etc...some of those classes aren't necessarily required for ADN programs. If you can get a head start on them while still in an ADN program, you may be able to complete the BSN sooner.

Just a thought.

Wait lists seem to be a necessary evil in CC's. I'll be on one as soon as I take the pre-admission exam next month & they say that it's about a year's wait. Ugh. :eek:

Hang in there!

neonatalRN · Jul 31, 2003

At my school there were about 800 applicants (300-400 who were actually qualified) for only 80 spots. With competition like that, the average GPA they accepted was about 3.5. It is also a community college. Plus, they consider the GPA in the science classes to be the most important. Could you retake any of your science classes to try to get a better grade?

Heidi

essarge · Jul 31, 2003

Just a suggestion.....Most ADN programs take three years to complete (with pre req's). I will complete my BSN in three years but attended full time including the summer. If BSN is your ultimate goal, check out those programs also if you are willing to go over the summer months to complete it.

shirleyTX · Jul 31, 2003

hEY IF there is anyway for you to check into a BSN program, you should do it. the university of texas takes @ 180-200 every year. They receive around 500 app. but the sooner you apply the sooner you get your letter. From posts I've read on here it seems that their are always statements about how competetive C.c. programs are to get into. I applied to UT and got in with no problem... It just seems easier then fighting for limited spots at a C.c.

Cynthiann · Jul 31, 2003

Originally posted by AnnasmomRNtobe
Plus, they consider the GPA in the science classes to be the most important. Could you retake any of your science classes to try to get a better grade?

Heidi

This is exactly what I was thinking. From what I've seen the majority of schools weigh very heavily on science pre-reqs. Since you got all C's that's probably what really hurt your chances. I strongly suggest retaking these classes and you should have an excellent chance next time around.

zebnkee · Jul 31, 2003

Unfortunately your situation is typical in my school too. There are 99 spots and over 500 applied. This year our school was awarded a grant to accept 13 more students and hire two more teachers.....there is a great shortage of too.

I agree with others that you might want to improve your grades in some pre-reqs in order to improve your chances for 2004. Don't give up. Nursing is worth the wait. :)

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jul 31, 2003

I would have to agree with some of the others. Re-take those classes you got a C in. More than likely since you have already been through the class a higher grade will be easier for you. There are a lot of people out there who have A's and B's in those classes, you need to be able to do the same in order to be more competive I bet.

Hopefully that will help raise your GPA as well to more than a 3.0 (even though that is a good GPA I know around here you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive) Science classes are pretty important.

Its so competitive out there you need to do whatever it is you can to make yourself competitive (gee how many times have I said the word competitve?.....lol). I know it sucks and is frusterating for you but you CAN do it!!

Marilyn