How do I respond to a poorly written request to be a nursing student?

[BrentRN, PhD]

I am a faculty member who monitors a web page for additional information or comments. I usually just have to point someone to web page or answer a simple question. Today I got the following question from someone trying to get into our second degree program. I have pasted the message just as it came. The nursing school name has been deleted for their protection:

I PREVIOSLY ATTEDED NURSING SCHOOL AT **************, HOWEVER, DO TO PERSONAL PROBLEMS I WITHDREW AND SWITCHED TO PSYCHOLOGY. HOEVER MY PASSION TO BECOME A NURSE HAS PLUMETED OVER THE LAST YEAR. I CURRENTLY WORK AS A CNA AND LOVE WHAT I DO... WOULD MY PRIOR ATTENDACE TO NURSING SCHOOL AND SWITCHING TO PSYCHOLOGY EFFECT MY CHANCES OF GETTING ACCEPTED TO YOUR ABSN PROGRAM? i AM HIGLY MOTIVATED MORE THAN I EVER TO BECOME A NURSE.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at such a poorly written e-mail. I would like to know if she ever had to write anything in English at her previous program.

My question is: I would never want someone who is this illiterate to even enter my program. I could just tell her she isn't qualified (and from her description she doesn't have a bachelors degree yet and would be ineligible). Should I comment on her lack of professional writing skills, just comment on her qualifications, or both?

[Teleflurry, DNP]

Both. Can you imagine that person formally writing nursing papers? Is English a second language? What a pickle. Perhaps further investigation into the student and their qualifications will yield better results than that email.

Ps : plummeted?! Lol.

[newyorkgroove]

This must be from a foreign student. I would have to investigate this further. Probably suggest remedial English.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Here is what I would do:

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for you interest in our school. Upon reviewing your application, we feel that you do not meet our qualifications.

If you have any questions regarding your application, I would be happy to answer them for you. My direct number is XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Yours,

Mr. X

If this applicant is truly "motivated more than ever to be a nurse", then he/she will follow up. If they do choose to call you, THEN you can let them know in a phone conversation what hurdles they may face in the program-the poor grammar being one of the hurdles.

If they don't choose to follow up, file the app in the circular file!

[cloa513]

It could just be sloppily written as a good deal of blogs, forum posts etc. are written. How about just send it back to the student and ask him/her to rewrite it well. Don't say how but leave it up to the student- if its vastly improved the second time then it was web grammar. Were you able to confirm any details of this student e.g. this student really was able to enter psychology etc.? So its

also possible the person is delusional. Suggest to her that she has alternative options.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Well, since his/her interest has plummeted, you won't need to worry.

[GeorgiaK]

You need to write an honest response. It sounds like this potential student sent an email via texting while on break or driving. If the student seriously wants to become a professional nurse, then the student needs to act professional. Perhaps the potential nursing student should be encouraged to take an additional writing class.

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

I guess she did not send an attached copy of her unofficial transcript with the email. I agree with canesdukegirl, the letter sample she provided is perfect. If she calls, you can get the information you need in regards to ESL as well as degrees obtained and give class suggestions. Good Luck to you!

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

It could just be sloppily written as a good deal of blogs, forum posts etc. are written. How about just send it back to the student and ask him/her to rewrite it well. Don't say how but leave it up to the student- if its vastly improved the second time then it was web grammar. Were you able to confirm any details of this student e.g. this student really was able to enter psychology etc.? So its

also possible the person is delusional. Suggest to her that she has alternative options.

That was my first reaction. There is one language to use when asking a friend if they want to go to dinner, and another to use when addressing the faculty of a school you wish to attend................even if it is intended to be an informal inquiry. Unfortunately, this person doesn't think so. The email sent to TC seems overly informal, the way one would talk when asking their friend if they want to go to dinner.

Honestly, what I would do is respond by asking for a letter describing why they want to go into nursing and why they think your school is the best choice for them to do so. Word it in a way that they know you are looking for their formal views on the topics. Call it an entrance essay if you wish even. Their response should reveal enough for you to make an informed decision about what is going on.

[SAMISA09]

The student seems international. But either way she must have taken TOEFL or something to get in college. I would suggest taking English classes first and then think about nursing school. I wouldn't discourage her.

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

I agree with eriksoln.

On a side note regarding the informal nature of the message, I've noticed that my fellow nursing students don't feel the need to act professional while in school. I am baffled by this phenomenon, but it seems pretty standard nowadays. Written assignments are often executed this poorly, and turned in. What gives?

[mariahlily]

have to agree with the above comments on one particular point: explain to the writer that their writing is hard to understand, and this needs to be improved in order to become a nurse. if this person is truly motivated, they would jump on any advice you give them. there are plenty of students who have moved heaven and earth to get into nursing school. if the writer won't listen to you (or sends you an angry response) then they're not nursing material.