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

llg, PhD, RN · May 27, 2011

I wouldn't comment on her language, style of writing, etc. I would simply explain that your program is for people who have completed degrees in other majors and that you can't tell from her message whether or not she has an actual degree in psychology or not. (She might.)

I would then say that if she does have a degree in another major and would like to apply to your program, she can learn more about the application proces from XYZ web site or whatever. Let the application process do its job of evaluating her qualifications and selecting the best applicants. I wouldn't go out of my way to make her feel bad ... or to encourage. I would just give her the facts and let nature take its course.

Highschoolfuturenurs · May 27, 2011

The caps just make this message worse.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 27, 2011

I totally agree with llg. Stick to the facts w/o critique of the message itself.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

I would not be surprised if the author of the email really has earned a BA with a concentration or major in psychology.

I have encountered many college-educated professionals over the years who did not possess any type of mastery of written English. When I was a factory worker, the engineers would send poorly-written memos and emails. One of my instructors, an RN with a BSN degree, regularly wrote communications that contained sentence fragments, misspelled words, and other errors. My fourth grade teacher used to spell some words incorrectly. My best friend has earned three college degrees and still has issues with grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Our educational system is dumbed-down, and many people slip through the cracks.

Jenni811, RN · May 27, 2011

Um, i would suggest that she take a few writing or English courses.

However; i wouldnt jump to conclusions, we had a girl in our nursing program from puerto rico and English was her 2nd language that was never spoken at home. so her writing skills were, lets say....horrible!!!! but her bedside manners/grades/ambition to be a nurse was wonderful. She is such an amazing person. Her dream was to work with low-income people and being able to provide healthcare to them. And guess what?? she is doing just that!!!!!

She truley is an amazing person, We all loved her so much we would proof read her papers for her before she turned them in.

However; this is very unlikely to be the case . It's kinda funny actually.

Moogie · May 27, 2011

Maybe the prospective student sent this on a cell phone. Some of my AN postings and FB messages are atrocious when I use my iPod.

I don't think you can reject the student's application if he/she has not yet formally applied. This message could be indicative of the student's writing style or it could be an aberration. It shouldn't be weighed into a decision regarding the student's admission.

I agree with llg that you should stick to the facts and politely point out that this is a program for students who already have bachelor's degrees in other fields. If the student isn't qualified, he/she will not be accepted.

tokmom, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

That is pretty bad. However, at least she didn't pepper it with the work 'like'.

I like once sat in on a like interview with this like really nice new grad. She like really wanted to work at our hospital. The manager, didn't like how she like talked, so she never made it to like the second round of interviews. She like had no idea why. :uhoh3:

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

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.

This is almost certainly typed on a smartphone, hence the caps. I wouldn't write the applicant off - she/he did spell psychology correctly, after all. Some of the mistakes can be attributed to typos, and I have read many posts on this forum in which people mistakenly request "advise needed" instead of advice, and others routinely confuse "effect" and "affect".

You could request this person to submit a formal essay on the lines of "Why I want to be a nurse", pointing out that grammar and correct English usage are essential in order to pass exams, and drop in the comment that if he/she does not have access to a PC or laptop, to hand write the essay and fax or post it to you.

Black Jade, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

Our educational system is dumbed-down, and many people slip through the cracks.

How about the way people talk nowadays with "like" and "you know"? I am a non-native English speaker and I learned the language by watching American TV and because I was an avid reader. When I was younger, we were given spelling tests and we were tested on how to use the present, past and future tense and other types of grammar. If I don't know how to spell a word, I make sure to use the dictionary.

Even when I email my friends, I try to write as if I am emailing a formal letter unless I am in a hurry. My concern with all these shortcuts (ie. texts) is that I will one day forget how to spell a certain word which it almost happened before. I try to catch myself even as I am responding to this post as I know my grammar is not that perfect either. I cringe everytime I read a post without the proper punctuation or spelling. It's as if people have become too lazy or too ignorant to even learn how to write.

On another note, I find it attractive when men know how to use proper punctuation, spelling and grammar. :twocents: :)

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 27, 2011

How about the way people talk nowadays with "like" and "you know"? I am a non-native English speaker and I learned the language by watching American TV and because I was an avid reader. When I was younger, we were given spelling tests and we were tested on how to use the present, past and future tense and other types of grammar. If I don't know how to spell a word, I make sure to use the dictionary.
Even when I email my friends, I try to write as if I am emailing a formal letter unless I am in a hurry. My concern with all these shortcuts (ie. texts) is that I will one day forget how to spell a certain word which it almost happened before. I try to catch myself even as I am responding to this post as I know my grammar is not that perfect either. I cringe everytime I read a post without the proper punctuation or spelling. It's as if people have become too lazy or too ignorant to even learn how to write.
On another note, I find it attractive when men know how to use proper punctuation, spelling and grammar. :)

Really?

OK....................new thread here:

Thread title: "Signs that social networking has changed the world around you."

First post: "I find punctuation, spelling and grammar attractive."

I honestly can say, I never thought I would hear someone say that in my lifetime. I feel so old now, the world is changing.

greenfiremajick · May 27, 2011

Can I just say it's in very poor taste to post this? I understand you're horrified and shocked at the illiteracy of the email, but what would others in your position (or those of your superiors) feel about the professionalism of you posting an email from an applicant and essentially putting their inadequacies in the limelight?

Just a thought and I'm really not trying to be hateful here, but in my opinion, your post is just as bad....

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?

P_RN, ADN, RN · May 27, 2011

To me this person does not sound sincere. I would write a brief note telling her you did not understand her request. If she would like to send a more formal inquiry stating the years, school attended and references (yadda-yadda) you would be happy to speak with her at 800-234-5678. Then I'd hide the original under my desk calendar, back of bottom file drawer and probably never need to "read" it again.