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).
Hmm - I wonder if this was a commercial (for profit) school? I doubt that a traditional (usually under funded) program would be able to come up with the additional resources & instructors that would be needed to maintain accreditation standards. I know of a couple commercial schools that whose mantra's seem to be "if you've got the money, we've got the degree". Their only concern is to collect the (unrefundable) tuition money & they are not concerned with completion rates.
Maybe these 30 or 40 students were recognized for advocating for themselves? The staff recognized this as a nursing responsibility and awarded the students for applying real nursing principles.
Maybe these 30 or 40 students were recognized for advocating for themselves? The staff recognized this as a nursing responsibility and awarded the students for applying real nursing principles.
If I said "I really, seriously doubt that" it would be an understatement.
Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.
When I was in PN school we had an open book test. Some of the students complained that another student cheated...... hummmmmm how exactly do you "CHEAT" during an open book test? We could use any resource, even another student, any book in the room, etc. LOL
Honestly, if these students did that poorly on their pre-nursing classes they are not going to do better in their nursing classes. They will either fail out, or step up their game.
I also believe you should cancel your meeting. I completely understand where you are coming from, but its going to make you look bad. The nursing school I am in accepts pretty much everyone into the program, this way they make a lot of money. Then more than half end up failing out before graduation. Our class stared out with 130, and we are below 60 now.
I am still here. Just taking in all the information and thoughts. For a few people, I do not really want to talk to the Dean to complain. I want an answer if it's going to affect my nursing schooling. I am happy for my friends. Hey, once you get into the program it's no longer every man for themselves. Lol. I seriously doubt that they recognized the people who complained as advocating for themselves. I'm not 100% sure whether I am going to talk to the Dean or not. I have spoken with RNs that I use to work (I worked as a CNA) with who make me confused because they say I should so the Dean is aware of the situation among the students. "Advocating for my peers." I do get how I came off in my initial post as just wanting to start trouble about it. My apologies that wasn't the intent. I was upset over the situation. My friends who didn't get in made me feel like I should have been guilty because I did get in and all of a sudden I'm suppose to be okay. Nursing school should be something where all students can support each other. We have a divided class. I'm appalled at the bullying that is going on between Nursing students over this situation and I feel something needs to be addressed. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm rambling?
Let it go OP. You got into the program...be happy. Worrying about how someone else got into the program is not your concern. Nursing school has a way of weeding people out even once they're accepted into the program. However, if you go to the dean's office to complain...it only makes you look bad and you will have made some new enemies. Let it go...move on.
BC: I'm quite sure your Dean is well "aware of the situation among the students". He or she would have to be a special kind of clueless, in light of what appears to be quite an uproar (you did say this affected 30-40 students).
My honest opinion is that you should take some time to sit back and view this from a little bit further away; this is all so new and fresh that it's smacking you right in the face, as you sit in the center of the storm. Take a few steps back from that storm, so that you might be a bit more objective--it will only do you good in that reacting too quickly could very well do you harm.
I agree that it appears that some bullied their way into slots that weren't there in the first place. That said, NOTHING you say is going to change that, the decision is made, they're not going back on that. I would hope that in the coming months before the new term starts that more staffing is found, more clinical space is found for these extra students, so it doesn't impact you in any way. Yet another reason to wait for a bit before opening your mouth, imho.
No, it isn't fair. You will soon find, however, that a lot of things about nursing school are very unfair, and very politically motivated. If these people did get in, they will not remain in the program for long. To be brutally honest, some people just aren't smart enough for nursing school, and a 2.8 prerequisite GPA just isn't going to cut it. If you can't do the prerequisite work, then you certainly can't do the work required to pass the nursing program. My prediction is that you will lose those 30-40 within the first semester.
I was in a special nursing program where all participants were chosen for the program and a scholarship. A complaint, (or many complaints, I don't know), was lodged about the demographics of those chosen for the program. So, we were required to sit around for a period of six or eight weeks at the beginning of the nursing portion of the program, waiting, and waiting. Many of the nursing faculty were sent out on a mission to find people to add to our program. They came back and we wasted more time while these people were incorporated into the program. Did I think that was fair? No. Reverse discrimination at its finest. Did I enjoy having my time wasted when I could have been learning nursing? No. But the new additions to the program had to be accommodated. I also noticed that in at least one instance, one of those people was allowed to break the rules, but I guess that was also par for the course. Handle some people with kid gloves, in order to fend off complaints. All of this was a reflection of the times and an example that in reality, life is not "fair".
OP, I understand your frustration. You worked hard and earned your way into the program. Other students complained their way in. No, it doesn't seem right, but that's life. You might find yourself in similar situations in the future. A less qualified applicant may get a job that you applied for because they are related to someone in the hospital. Not really fair, but it's not your decision and there's nothing you can do about it. Going to the manager isn't going to change anything, just like going to the Dean isn't going to get you anywhere and may even damage your reputation from the get go.
Think of it this way: You applied to the program. You were accepted. You're going to go and get the most out of it that you can. If you forget about the issue with the other students, absolutely nothing has changed for you. You're still in the same position you were in before.
Here's another way to think about it: If the school had decided to expand the program and accept 30 more qualified students, how would you feel? Would you still feel like your education would be compromised and you need to talk to the Dean? No, you wouldn't. You're only upset because you feel they were let in unfairly- but that's not your call. Talking to the Dean about it is not a good idea. It will not make you look like an advocate. It will make you look like a complainer.
As far as the bullying and division goes- you haven't even started the program yet. Classes haven't started, so how can there be bullying? What you're referring to is happening between you and your friends. When you start classes, there will be many other students you can associate with. Again, the solution is to worry about yourself. Don't get caught up in the drama and the petty bullying. Hold yourself above it. Focus on school and make friends with the other students who do the same.
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HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
Hmm - I wonder if this was a commercial (for profit) school? I doubt that a traditional (usually under funded) program would be able to come up with the additional resources & instructors that would be needed to maintain accreditation standards. I know of a couple commercial schools that whose mantra's seem to be "if you've got the money, we've got the degree". Their only concern is to collect the (unrefundable) tuition money & they are not concerned with completion rates.