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).
Is this a university program? ADN program? For- profit school?
Sounds like a very weird way to run a nursing school. Anyone bringing her mother to fight her battles for her at my university would have been shown the door pretty quickly. And unqualified students would not have been able to complain their way in because space was limited due to staffing ratios which were tightly adhered to. The GPA requirement to get into the nursing program was very high, 3.7-3.8 or so. So tough that on the first day of nursing school, I looked at the woman next to me and said "Don't you feel like you just made cheerleader?" We laughed about that and ended up becoming study partners.
I agree with others that going to the Dean is a fruitless endeavor.
My only issue would be how the school is going to supply extra staff for the extra 40 students that they decided to just let in last minute. Unless 40 students dropped out before your friends were accepted, I don't see how it would be possible to accommodate them and give everybody the education that they deserve.
That said, I wouldn't go to the dean and complain. It's nothing you can really change and it'll just make you look petty.
"Don't you feel like you just made cheerleader?"
Not to get off topic, but this is exactly how I felt when I got in, and after asking others, it's how they felt too! Applying to nursing school reminded me so much of trying out for cheerleader and getting in felt like finally making cheerleader.
Sorry, it's just nice to know that somebody else felt this way!
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Life unfortunately isn't fair. Who the school accepts or reject is none of your concern. The school probably thinks they won't make it or won't pass their boards. Concentrate on you and to be the best nurse you can be!
Generation Y at work. This is the generation that got awards for 8th place in soccer so they would feel nice about it. They may feel entitled. Starting nursing school and finishing are another thing. Let time take care of it. Just worry about you
Don't go to the dean. It's none of your business and by complaining about it your saying you dont agree with he decision. My concern is; what happens when these people fail? Are they going to whine their way through the program. This story is a prime example of the Entitlement Generation, everyone is given a participation trophy and now that it's real life they still expect what everyone else is getting even though the don't deserve it.
No, it's not all all fair, but you're in, move on, and don't make anything else of it. These individuals will struggle anyway, and if they can't buck up, they will not make it. I know that sounds mean, but if you have to whine to get in, it's going to be a difficult program.
Little sidebar: if I was the program director I would fight tooth and nail to do anything I can to prevent having to accept the person who brought their mom with them. If they cannot either prove for themselves that they deserve to be in or improve their academic profile to get it, then they, most of all, do not deserve to be there.
OP, how do you know that the situation is as you describe? Maybe admissions were limited due to limited faculty, and then they hired another instructor so they could increase admissions. I just can't imagine another student being privy to the kind of information in your post (at least I can say for certain that I am sure this is not 100% of the story).
As others have stated, do not speak to the dean about this. It is really none of your business and you are only going to end up making a name for yourself in a very bad way. It is far better to fly under the radar and worry about your OWN grades and education that to focus your time and energy on others.
*Smirk* I used to toss my 5th place ribbons for Gymnastics....Ithought...who cares about 5th freakin place??? I didn't do well enough for at least 3rd so forget it and keep trying.
Life isn't fair honey. Drop it. Do your best. Let Nature take its course....because it will.
I agree with the above posters. You don't want to be labeled as a trouble maker. Additionally, the dean might already be p/o'd about it, and doesn't want to talk about it anymore. She might get angry that you're just ONE MORE person who's complaining to her about something she has no power over.
Do you KNOW that all of the people who complained got in, or did you hear it and figure that because you knew a bunch of people now got it that it must be true? If it is true, it kind of sucks, but you still got in. If you go to the dean with anything less than iron clad fact, you aren't going to look good.
If it's too late to cancel the meeting, come up with another excuse to be there, such as wanting to ask a question or personally thanking him/her for giving you a chance to be a great nurse.
I don't see anything "unfair" about it -- unless those of you accepted previously are somehow hurt by the decision. The fact that the school increased its capacity to accept more students doesn't necessarily mean that the educational services they promised to deliver to you are compromised. Give it a chance to work out -- be nice. If you find that they are not living up to promises they made you to deliver certain education, follow-up on THAT, not on the fact that they have given a chance to others.
Definitely do NOT make a fuss at this point -- and cancel that meeting with the Dean. Until you are hurt in some way, you do NOT have a legitimate complaint. Complaining about something that hasn't hurt anyone will only make you seem mean and petty -- and label you as a trouble-maker and undesirable student. You don't want that.
Generation Y at work. This is the generation that got awards for 8th place in soccer so they would feel nice about it. They may feel entitled. Starting nursing school and finishing are another thing. Let time take care of it. Just worry about you
This is a complete sidebar
I always thought that the above was a funny paradox of thought,
Generation Y (those born in the early 1980's, as early as 1976 by some sources) have been notoriously stereotyped as entitled, spoiled etc etc
Most comments are made by Generation X people (AKA Baby boomers) regarding Generation Y.
However, if Generation X raised Generation Y to have 8th place ribbons, passing grades for everyone regardless of abilities, provided lax parenting etc etc...
Who is more responsible for the final outcome?
For the record, as a Generation Y-er, I am disgusted by spoiled, entitled attitudes regardless of generation, and there is no reason for it at all.
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Horseshoe, BSN, RN
5,879 Posts
Is this a university program? ADN program? For- profit school?
Sounds like a very weird way to run a nursing school. Anyone bringing her mother to fight her battles for her at my university would have been shown the door pretty quickly. And unqualified students would not have been able to complain their way in because space was limited due to staffing ratios which were tightly adhered to. The GPA requirement to get into the nursing program was very high, 3.7-3.8 or so. So tough that on the first day of nursing school, I looked at the woman next to me and said "Don't you feel like you just made cheerleader?" We laughed about that and ended up becoming study partners.
I agree with others that going to the Dean is a fruitless endeavor.