Is this fair? Honest opinions, please.

mindlor · Apr 23, 2012

back in february, the pre-nursing students were sent a notification whether they were accepted into the nursing program or not. 80-90 students were accepted (i don't remember the exact number) and i was one of them. the majority of my 'friends' that were up for evaluation with me were rejected from the program. (you'll see soon why this is important.) after students had been rejected, there were roughly 30-40 students who complained, cried, and ******* to the dean of nursing that they did not deserve to be rejected from the program. i completely understand the whirlwind of emotions that comes with a rejection letter, so in a way i do understand their response, however, they handled it immaturely. one girl even went as far as bringing her mother in to talk to the dean of nursing for her.
now, last week 30-40 students received letters from the dean of nursing saying that they now had been accepted into the program. the president of the school did not like the complaints being filed against the school, so he pretty much made it so anyone that met the criteria, and complained against the school for rejection was now to be in the program. all of these students, including my friends, are super happy and i am happy for them by all means. however, in my opinion this is not fair. would you agree? i mean, you get rejected and it sucks, but you only get in because you file complaints against the school? how can you look yourself in the mirror and truly think i deserved this letter?
some of the students that have now been accepted into the program include those with a 2.8 gpa, and teas scores way below what should be acceptable. i have a meeting with the dean of nursing this week, and i just feel like i have been slapped in the face. my meeting is mostly to get this off my chest. i know nothing can be done, and i don't want anyone to lose their chance. maybe i shouldn't have tried as hard as i have to get in if all i had to do was complain about it. i have a 3.9 gpa, every science class i have taken i have earned an 'a,' and my teas scores were high 80s-90s. i'm not the only student that is extremely upset with the circumstances and now all my friends are mad at me because i disagree with the way they got into the program (this is why my earlier statement is important).
do you agree? is this fair? what would you do?

you were accepted. the plight of others should be none of your concern. go about your business and become a great nurse. it makes little sense to worry about things that you cannot control.....

mangopeach · Apr 23, 2012

I agree with the above. I would not even let this occupy space in my mind. You are in. Focus on you.

If your school has a good program, it will be rigorous and stressful, you have more than enough on your plate to worry about.

Maybe those that have been accepted will not make it, but that should not be your concern. You only worry about you. Those that can't hack it in nursing school, eventually fail out. However, if I had a friend that got accepted, even though her GPA was not as strong as mine. I would be happy for her, truly happy, meaning I would not be grumbling about it not being fair. If they were accepted and you were not, then I would see why you would be concerned, however you were accepted. Let it go. If they can't hack it, they will fail out, I'm sure the school knows this. They've been given the opportunity, its up to them to rise to the occasion. You just worry about you.

I would not be meeting with the Dean about this. Be Careful! The decision has already been made and I think you should leave it alone.

rubato, ASN, RN · Apr 23, 2012

My one and only concern would be whether there will now be enough staffing to handle these extra students. If my nursing school experience were to suffer for this, then I would be bothered by it. Extremely bothered by it. Otherwise, let them handle their own business. If these students are struggling before even getting in, they'll be weeded out quickly and probably won't affect you.

ImKosher · Apr 23, 2012

I don't think it's fair. But what can you or I do? Just make sure you are ready cause it sounds like you may get some surprises. I agree with the above, the major issue with nursing school is staffing. Good luck, you worry about you.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 23, 2012

I have a meeting with the Dean of Nursing this week, and I just feel like I have been slapped in the face. My meeting is mostly to get this off my chest.

Cancel your meeting with the Dean of Nursing. She's not your psychotherapist, and it makes you look bad before you've even started the program.

nyteshade, BSN · Apr 23, 2012

No it probably isn't fair OP, but I second everyone else.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2012

Do I agree with people who whine and complain getting their way? No.

Is it fair? Well, fair generally means that someone has to be wronged in some way. Since the students who are already accepted into the program are not affected by the new admissions, then I can't really say it's unfair. It's life. People who threaten to file complaints usually get more attention than those who follow the rules. If the school wants to admit them (and remember that more students equals more money) then that's the school decision.

What would I do? Absolutely nothing. It's not your business who the school accepts into the program or why. DO NOT talk to the Dean about this. How the school is run is not your concern and going to complain about this makes you no different than the other students who whined about not being accepted. Go to class, do as well as you can, become the best nurse you can be. That's your job. If these students really don't have the qualification to be in the program then they won't make it though. Just worry about yourself.

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2012

What will you accomplish by meeting with the dean? Point out poor decision-making? Cancel it, pretend you never heard any of this drama, and focus on your own goals.

allnurses Guide · Apr 23, 2012

Welcome to nursing school, where the world stops being "fair".

Do NOT go vent to the dean. Nursing school is highly political. You'll be marked before you even get started. If people who were accepted after the fact are students with low GPA and low standards they won't survive it anyway. But you don't need to be worrying about anyone but yourself. Nursing school is hard enough without taking on the "fairness" of life. You'll hear a lot of whining about things not being "fair" in nursing school. Make up your mind now not to join in the cacophony.

ecf1972 · Apr 23, 2012

I agree with everyone else. Don't meet with the Dean, it will not be accepted kindly. The Dean is not there for you to "get things off your chest". The world of nursing is a small one. You do not want to be seen as a complainer or a troublemaker, especially before you even set your foot in the door to your first class. Believe me, each semester weeds out those that are not cut out for the program. That being said, the program is difficult enough that you need to worry only about you and making it through the program yourself. Don't give anyone a reason to look at you any differently than a hard working dedicated student that wants to be the best nurse they can be.

Lexirunner · Apr 23, 2012

I definitely agree with not talking to the dean about this... Just focus on you! Things have a way of working themselves out. I'm in an ADN program, and they let in people who would NEVER get into a four year school (just based on grades and test scores). Basically if you get C's in everything and get the minimum PAX score (only a 50), then you're in the same pool and considered equal with people who got straight A's and got really high scores.

This bothered me for the LONGEST time. People got into the program before me who barely passed their classes, when I was getting A's. At some point, I just accepted that that's how the program is run. All I could do was my best when it was my time. Now I'm finishing up my first semester, and I've honestly only had time to think about succeeding for myself. Once you get started, you'll find your priorities, and things like that won't matter anymore.