Has Covid-19 affected your nursing program decisions?

[nickles]

I am seeing more and more programs and universities shifting their fall curriculum to fully online platforms and adopting new policies to adapt to the current situation. One of the nursing programs I applied to for fall 2020 is instead accepting students for Spring 2021 because their current students will be repeating their current semester due to the pandemic. I am wondering if the current situation has affected anyone's decision on which nursing program they'll pick or when they'll start?

[Bobognnp]

I haven’t heard back from some programs. I’m hoping that they’ll be accepting new student in the Fall because I’ll go depending. I applied to some schools in cities and I’m thinking it may not be that much better or safer by fall so I may defer enrollment. But some schools I applied were in more rural areas so it may be better.

[nickles]

3 minutes ago, Bobognnp said:

I haven’t heard back from some programs. I’m hoping that they’ll be accepting new student in the Fall because I’ll go depending. I applied to some schools in cities and I’m thinking it may not be that much better or safer by fall so I may defer enrollment. But some schools I applied were in more rural areas so it may be better.

I see. That's a good option to have if the program allows you to defer acceptance to the next semester.

I was selected for a program in Spring 21 and listed as an alternate for another program in the fall. Originally I was going to try to get into the fall program so I could start sooner and because I would be a little closer to family. But because of the situation I think I may go with the Spring program. There are pros and cons to both for me so I am trying to make a decision.

Thanks for your input!! ?

[Taylor13, CNA]

I think that my decision will definitely be affected. I applied to thirteen programs in my state even though I was set on one and now I am so glad I did because my top choice decided to go online only for Fall 2020. If any other program accepts me that is going hybrid or in-person then I will definitely go there instead. I don't feel comfortable entering such an intense program online and I feel like I worked really hard to get to this point, so I don't want my education to be cut short. My number one school is even doing the skills labs online which just doesn't feel right. I feel like they could at least break the class into small groups for the skills because hands on experience is so important. Also, there is no way I would be comfortable trying skills that I learned through a video or a virtual stimulation without seeing them in person a few times.

[nickles]

On 5/18/2020 at 4:23 AM, AlissaTaylor13 said:

I would be skeptical of a completely online program also. While virtual simulation can be helpful I don't think it should be the primary means of learning. As nurses we will need to be hands on, thus our education/learning should be also. But the situation is still developing and I think most programs are just trying to make the most of a bad situation while protecting students and patients.

Thanks for your input and I hope you hear back from your other programs soon! ?