Recruiting Students for ADN program

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Specializes in Oncology, Home Care, Case Management.

Hello All,

New here. I had a question. Recently became an instructor at a hospital-based ADN school. We struggle at times to recruit students. Our recruitment budget is fairly small. Could any of you share some ideas on how to get the word out to prospective students?

Our issue here is that we are a two year school and prospective students need at least a year of pre-requisites to enroll. Career fairs at high schools might not be as helpful here because, generally, we do not have any students coming directly from high school to us. This other issue is that there are other 4 year colleges with nursing programs close by so we "compete" with the 4yr colleges who already have "the whole package" of pre-requisites. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

D.L.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I don't intend this to be mean or anything ... but if the needs for nursing education are being met by other local schools ... and students are choosing to get 4-year BSN's rather than 3-year ADNs ...

Maybe those students are making the best choice for them and your schools should re-design its program to better meet the needs of your community. A 3-year ADN is not a choice that I would recommend to any student. If someone is going to spend that long in school, they should spend the extra year and get the BSN to begin with. Either that, or find an inexpensive 2-year program at a Community College (if available in your area.)

The fact that students are not choosing to go to your program should lead you to question whether your program is a good choice for them. It may not be a "marketing problem" ... but rather a "program problem." Figure out what the pressing needs of the students are and re-design your program to meet those needs. Then the students will come to you. Stop trying to sell them something that is not a good investment (3 years for an ADN).

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I don't intend this to be mean or anything ... but if the needs for nursing education are being met by other local schools ... and students are choosing to get 4-year BSN's rather than 3-year ADNs ...

Maybe those students are making the best choice for them and your schools should re-design its program to better meet the needs of your community. A 3-year ADN is not a choice that I would recommend to any student. If someone is going to spend that long in school, they should spend the extra year and get the BSN to begin with. Either that, or find an inexpensive 2-year program at a Community College (if available in your area.)

The fact that students are not choosing to go to your program should lead you to question whether your program is a good choice for them. It may not be a "marketing problem" ... but rather a "program problem." Figure out what the pressing needs of the students are and re-design your program to meet those needs. Then the students will come to you. Stop trying to sell them something that is not a good investment (3 years for an ADN).

I'm wondering where you're getting that community college nursing programs are "2 year" adn's? No such animal exists anywhere that I'm aware of, they all have pre-reqs, and the average student would be lucky to breeze through all of the pre-reqs even in a year, just due to the way they're usually scheduled.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I'm wondering where you're getting that community college nursing programs are "2 year" adn's? No such animal exists anywhere that I'm aware of, they all have pre-reqs, and the average student would be lucky to breeze through all of the pre-reqs even in a year, just due to the way they're usually scheduled.

My area has a county college. The part time day or full time night are only accepted with completed pre-reqs. However the full time day uses corequisite and is targeted to high school students and other strong academic students. The only prerequisite is certain HS (bio, chem, algebra 2) level courses, decent SAT or college placement/accuplacer scores, and meeting the TEAS score. It's very competitive with a >95% nclex pass rate and >90% retention/graduation rate

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I work in a 5 semester ASN program (so 2.5 years) in a community college. We do not have recruitment issues at all. More applicants than spots every time. The biggest draw is the affordability. Also, we have many agreements with BSN programs, with some even allowing a dual enrollment.

Is this an affordable program?

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Specializes in L&D, Trauma, Ortho, Med/Surg.

Not a teacher, I'm a student. Maybe you need to talk to other successful program admins. In Phoenix, the maricopa community colleges have an extremely successful ADN program that also works with all of the major universities and then some, for a concurrent bachelors. There are people wait-listed every semester. If I were trying to get more people to my program I think I would consider partnering with universities for a concurrent BA.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
I'm wondering where you're getting that community college nursing programs are "2 year" adn's? No such animal exists anywhere that I'm aware of, they all have pre-reqs, and the average student would be lucky to breeze through all of the pre-reqs even in a year, just due to the way they're usually scheduled.

The only prerequisites required at the community college I'm going to are HESI, STNA license and high school transcript. None of those requirements take more than 6 months to complete.

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Specializes in L&D, Trauma, Ortho, Med/Surg.

It seems like that is not the norm in big cities. Except for schools like Brookline/chamberlain.

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Specializes in NICU.

If it is hospital-based, why not recruit PCAs from the hospital that are looking to get their ADN/ASN degree? You can even offer scholarships with a 1-2 yr commitment to continued employment at the hospital as an RN.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I'm wondering where you're getting that community college nursing programs are "2 year" adn's? No such animal exists anywhere that I'm aware of, they all have pre-reqs, and the average student would be lucky to breeze through all of the pre-reqs even in a year, just due to the way they're usually scheduled.

They have them in my area. I guess you are just not familiar with all the schools in the country.

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The only prerequisites required at the community college I'm going to are HESI, STNA license and high school transcript. None of those requirements take more than 6 months to complete.

I agree! Some colleges are working pre reqs into their Adn program courses , so, you could indeed get your Adn in 2 years -pre reqs included. It depends on the state you live in and their requirement.

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Do you have a website that is easily found and shares the merits of your program? Are the requirements to enter reasonable for your area? Is the cost competitive? Is the school accredited? Does the hospital the program is affiliated with have a decent reputation? What is the schools NCLEX pass rate? Rate of students graduating on time? Job placement rate? Does your school have an articulation agreement with any local universities ensuring that your schools credits will transfer? If this is a newer program it could simply be people don't want to take a gamble with something that isn't established yet.

Just from your post a fast blurb could be 'No wait listing! After completing 1 yr of prereqs you can enter our 24mo ADN program to become a nurse. Our program is affiliated XYZ hospital, ensuring you get the hands on training you need to be successful as a nurse!"

I'd love to take a peek at the schools website to offer more specific feedback. I fully believe that with the right spin the program shouldn't have trouble competing. In my state all nursing students have to take 2 years of prereqs. This is a state requirement. Even so the community colleges still turn away hundreds of students every term because there are more applicants than seats.

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