nursing school issues

This is my first time doing a discussion on here. I am a pre nursing student right now. I need to finish a few lab classes then I can get into the actual nursing program. I am in need of some help because I reall do not understand my schools nursing policy.

You can apply for the nursing program but it does not mean you are accepted into the program. You file goes to a board and they decided who can enter the program.

I do not get this. Everyone is saying that we need nurses. But yet they only select the ones they want. I can understand that most of it depends and grades and so on. But some students could have average grades and possibly wait years to get the training to get the degree needed.

Has anyone elses school done things this way?

Does anyone have any suggestions on things I could do to make my application stand out above everyone elses? Any help is appreciated.