Getting Discouraged about ASN Programs!!

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Here is my situation:

I have been attending a community college on and off for three years in Florida. I just moved to Delaware, and I am looking to enroll in an RN (ASN) program. I am getting very, very discouraged because I don't understand why a) the waiting lists are so long b)why a transfer student is given lower priority and c) if you need nurses so badly why wouldn't you have more openings for school? (I know, probably not enough teachers..)

I have called literally about five schools in the state and some of those are even Bachelor's programs, and I'm either going to have to wait almost 1.5-2 years just to start the program, or I can't enroll for some reason (one school said they absolutely don't take transfers into the RN program)

Are there ANY alternatives? I don't understand. I am smart, have a good GPA and genuinely am passionately about Nursing/the medical field.

Sorry this kind of is a vent session, just very frustrated and stuck..

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I guess that's just the way it goes. At my school, they don't do waiting lists but it takes a while to get in because of the admissions requirements. They don't take any transfer students either. If you are from out of state, it is nearly impossible to get in because (I'm told) that studies have shown that students at CC are more likely to practice in that area when they are FROM that area so they want everyone in my program to be from our county or the 2 neighboring counties.

These days, nurses aren't needed badly. You can see on this forum how many are looking for jobs, to no avail.

I have to say, I wouldn't have thought that your out of state transfer status would matter at a university offering a BSN but maybe things are different in Delaware. I guess an alternative would be a for-profit school. They say they'll take anyone BUT I would NOT recommend that route.

Good luck, though, in finding something that works for you!!

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I also live in Delaware and I'm experiencing the same thing. The wait list is absolutely ridiculous and the schools want you to take unnecessary classes while you wait. I have begun to look in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey for schools.

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If you have 1/2 of your ASN program done (half of your nursing classes done, not just prereqs) then you can finish with Excelsior. This is an online program. They do not have a waiting list, they can be a bit slow but at least you would be able to get started right away. Check out the Distance learning forum for more information. (https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/). I was 1/2 done with an ASN when I transfered, it took me about a year from my first phone call to them to my grad date.

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

1. There is no great need for nurses. The labor market is massively oversaturated with new graduate RNs because everyone THINKS that nursing is a guaranteed career. Example: 2 year waiting lists for schools whose current graduates can't find jobs.

2. Transfer student preference at PUBLIC schools: these schools are beholden to their funders, the local community, and thus want local people who have been paying into the system and who will likely work locally and give back to the community.

3. Transfer student preference at PRIVATE schools: these schools are beholden to their funders, the paying students, and thus there needs to be a level of reward for having spent all the time, effort, and money at the institution if the student can otherwise qualify. It also shows dedication to that institution and their culture.

Honestly, the wait lists are 1.5-2.5 years all around the nation. It isn't ridiculous. There are more applicants than slots and more graduates than jobs. It is simple economics. Either get in line or work your butt off to be competitive and qualify for a merit based entry school. Being competitive means paying your dues or shining too brightly to be ignored despite not paying your dues.

My merit based BSN program has only 4% transfer students (~2% of transfer applicants were accepted). I am one of them. I had to work hard enough to stand out and it took me longer than 2 years. I hope I can do the same and land a job once I'm through school since I'll be competing with about 12 other RN classes all graduating at the same time.

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Thanks for all your replies! Today I went and registered for my pre-reqs at the local community college. I figured no matter where I get accepted to for the nursing program, I have to get these out of the way.

Thinking positively! :)

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