Over the past few weeks I have bene looking for the "perfect" nursing program and do not like what I have seen. Most schools have 1 or more of these flaws that prevent me from enrolling:
1. Huge waiting lists
2. Exit exams
3. Unprofessional attitudes
So I have bene giving serious thought to getting a BS in radiologic science with the hopes of furthering my education to become a radiologist assistant. I've been researhing the field over the past week and I think it is something I will like. I already have an unrelated BS so I'm hoping I can complete the degree in less time than it would traditionally take.
No offense, but I don't need a lecture on exams. I have a BS with a 4.0 GPA. I know how to handle exams. I can pass exams easily. But if my school gave me an exit exam on EVERYTHING I learned, I doubt I would have passed.. definitely not the first time.
If you have a 4.0 GPA what the heck are you caterwauling about? Who do you think fails and passes exit exams anyway? (Hint: The 4.0 students do just fine.)
As I said, nursing school is a whole series of exit exams - and yes, if you fail one or two along the way you get to remediate.
A stellar student such as yourself should have no problem, exit exam or no.
There's no need to be rude like that. Based on how gung-ho you are about nursing, it does not sound like you gave it much thought. I wonder how many people here are going to NS merely because they heard on tv that healthcare is "recession proof." I don't like to rush my decisions and prefer to think them over a bit. Are you saying that I should just stop whining and go to a school with a 70% failure rate?
You think THAT was rude? I am just calling it how I see it based upon what you posted, excuses as to why you do not think you'll go to school, just as you assume that I gave nursing school much thought. ROFLMAO. I began to consider nursing when I was a senior in high school, WAY back in 1987. It was not until about 3 years ago I decided I WAS cut out for all of the science classes. Exit exams, waitlists...you name it. I'm willing to deal with it because I realize having to go through a lot of BS for what you want is LIFE. I was not kidding when I said earlier that no matter which career field you go into, you will encounter a lot things you do not like. I was a teacher, an airline customer service supervisor, and worked in claims for worker's compensation. Believe me, I KNOW B.S. If you want to work as a nurse, you will have to take the ULTIMATE exit exam- it's the NCLEX otherwise you won't get to work anywhere.
So yeah, either put up with what you don't like about the schools in your area or go into the Rad. program. Either way, I hope you learn a little more patience than what you appear to have at this point in your life.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I go to a CC and was never wait listed. I got in on my first try because the program is merit based. Admission is based on performance criteria in pre-reqs and an entrance exam. My only exit exam are the finals I take for each of my courses and, of course, passing the NCLEX. My school retains 90% of admitted nursing students and 95% of those pass NCLEX within 90 days of graduation.
I don't know where you live, but it just isn't like that here. There are wait lists and those on it are those who were just a hair away from being accepted, based on GPA, entrance exam and other performance criteria. Most of them get in the next semester when they reapply.
It's kind of hard to call a school and ask when nobody picks up the phone...
MY school is the same way.. I had to GO to the School. I went to all the schools in my area. I just showed up! That's exactly how I got my job as well:-)
BTW, I live in NY.. I am going to a school that everyone told me was waitlisted (including the school themselves) I applied anyway.. got in for the next semester! Also I read you already have a Bachelors with a 4.0. If that's true you definitely should apply! I didn't have any of my sciences done.. do you know why they accepted me? Because I had Calc and physics on my transcripts and decent grades in them and that showed them that I am smart and will be able to handle their program. Schools are interested in their stats. accepting smart people help their pass rate %. Don't rule out schools because of wait lists. If you want it bad enough, you will get it. Just my .2.
Dude, don't buy into the hype about needing 'great grades' or stand out academics to get into NS. I have a 3.1 at a ADN nursing school, set to graduate this December, and can almost assure that I am every bit as capable or more than the '4.0' straight A, calc genius that studied all during school but didn't work a healthcare job or get experience- thus the deer in the headlight stare on the first day of their nursing job. Oh and BTW, Radiology program is sweet, I would absolutely push for that. I am considering being Nuc Med or Rad. RN once I have the 1 year RN experience! gooood luck
polka-dot, RN
1 Article; 375 Posts
Not all exit exams are created equal...the ATIs aren't bad at all. Besides, getting your degree and then failing NCLEX won't do you much good either.