Nursing School Selection Process???

Nurses General Nursing

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Soooo its taken me forever to pass the entrance test to nursing school. Most of you know that to be even considered for nursing school you have to pass a entrance test, so I did. The test is 3 parts: Reading/Writing and Math. You have to make a 80 on Reading/Writing....I made a 82. You have to make a 50 on Math...I made a 72. So you would think I did pretty good. Well I submitted the application which included an essay question. And I think that my essay was very good. Plus I've been a CNA for 4years so there goes experience. So I've been waiting on my acceptance or non-acceptance letter for about 2 months, so about a week ago I got my letter.....DENIED!!!! Due to "limited space" per what the letter said. I was so upset to the point of tears. So immediately I jumped into my car a sped to the school to speak personally to the coordinator of the program, to discuss with her the "selection process" and to see where I fell short. She explained to me that they had to cut down at least 7 students, 32 to 25 students because of clinical issues that occured that previous year. Anywho so I asked her how she chose those 25 students....she simply stated "test scores" She said that the 25 highest test scores were choosen, which led me to my next question. I asked her if the only thing they went by were scores then why had I stressed myself out with the extensive application. Why had I stressed myself over the essay. They claimed they read essays, took into consideration experience and volunteer work, passion, and heart for this field...But she simply stated "test scores". I mean most serial killers have excellent IQs. I thought the tests were supposed to make sure you are academically capable of entering the program, I proved that I was, but it still wasn't good enough. I really want to be a nurse. I bet most of the people that got accepted dont want to be nurses or even care about nursing....it just doesn't seem fair, but then again life isnt far. Does this seem right to you all or am I just being overdramatic.

No, that's definitely not mean, that's helpful advice, but the posts with "You are being overdramatic" and other statements that are clearly not helpful just seem unnecessary. I hate to see people get kicked when they are down.

The OP specifically asked if he was being dramatic.

no, that's definitely not mean, that's helpful advice, but the posts with "you are being overdramatic" and other statements that are clearly not helpful just seem unnecessary. i hate to see people get kicked when they are down.

this quote is from the op:

"i really want to be a nurse. i bet most of the people that got accepted dont want to be nurses or even care about nursing....it just doesn't seem fair, but then again life isnt far. does this seem right to you all or am i just being overdramatic?"

why do you have a problem with people answering the question asked by the op? why would the op ask the question if he/she did not understand that there are two possible answers to this question?

i haven't seen one "mean" post in the lot. most are sympathetic, yet honest in their assessments. they gave their opinions to the questions asked.

no one should ever post a question on a widely read message board if the only acceptable answer is the one they want to hear.

Yes, I can see what he asked at the end, but I think you can infer by the post that he was disappointed, crushed, near tears, wanting to know why this bad thing happened, etc, and I just think there are more supportive ways to respond. I don't think people think sometimes that that's a real person with real feelings going through a hard time.

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
Yes, I can see what he asked at the end, but I think you can infer by the post that he was disappointed, crushed, near tears, wanting to know why this bad thing happened, etc, and I just think there are more supportive ways to respond. I don't think people think sometimes that that's a real person with real feelings going through a hard time.

Compassion and realism are not mutually exclusive. While most of us can relate to disappointment, much helpful advice has been given. If the OP came across as bitter and angry during the session with the admin, this could very well hurt his future chances for admission at that school. I view this as others pointing out this fact as well as suggest other ways to improve to help the OP's chances. Other posters took time to post thoughtful ways to improve the odds. If the advice is taken, it can help the OP. How is this kicking someone when they are down? What's wrong with offering sympathy AND realism? As an instructor, if my first interaction with a student was the student saying that others who were admitted don't deserve it because they don't want it as much, my first impression of that student would be negative. Others simply pointed this out.

Specializes in Geriatics.
Yes, I can see what he asked at the end, but I think you can infer by the post that he was disappointed, crushed, near tears, wanting to know why this bad thing happened, etc, and I just think there are more supportive ways to respond. I don't think people think sometimes that that's a real person with real feelings going through a hard time.

I appreciate you speaking up for. I posted this because I truly was very hurt, emotional, and discouraged and I just needed some reassurance. Being that most of the nurses who commented probably helped deliver Jesus, I can understand that the nursing field probably wasn't as competitive as today. Thank You.

Specializes in Geriatics.
"Big person panties" I spit coffee when I read that. But I am glad to hear that I am not a serial killer because I got a high test score, and better yet I can be genuinely interested in nursing and have a high GPA (honestly these forums were starting to get to me with so many posters saying people with good stats don't care about nursing, part of the reason I got high marks was because of my interest in Nursing).

Now that I am done playing.

OP, that's rough news. But I do think you were a little over the top to put the administrator on spot like that. It seems you made it personal, and it's just not like that.

I know you don't want advice, but people are going to give it because we are on here to help. Once you get done with this set back take an objective look at your application package, get that essay looked at by an English teacher, the app committees have to look at so many essays that grammar and structure errors really standout to them. Find a tutor for that test (McGraw-Hill is a great guide as well), see if there is anything you can do to bolster your grades, this is key as the best indicator of future GPA is past GPA and since nursing schools are judged on graduate preferences and NCLEX rates they are going to want to enroll a majority of students that have near perfect stats and a few students that might now have the grades, but have other indicators of success. You have the exp for sure, and if you are this upset then you have the heart as well, so now go get the rest of the package.

I wasn't saying that anyone was a serial killer, I was saying that just because your score is high doesn't mean you will make a better nurse than me. And another thing I didn't make it personal, but I think that's the problem with the selection process its too impersonal. Plus, my essay was looked over by a English professor and by an attorney who was formerly an R.N. so I'm positive that was fine. I agree with you on upping my score I just paid for another test and I hope things work out better next time.

I appreciate you speaking up for. I posted this because I truly was very hurt, emotional, and discouraged and I just needed some reassurance. Being that most of the nurses who commented probably helped deliver Jesus, I can understand that the nursing field probably wasn't as competitive as today. Thank You.

It took at least a 3.7 GPA to get into nursing school when I went for my BSN, even during a huge shortage. The problem was a lack of instructors in universities at that time, not that there was no need for nursing students. It was very, very competitive (and the GPA requirement for the really good ADN program in my city was basically a 4.0). I remember saying to another nursing student the first day of actual nursing school orientation "My God it was hard to get in-don't you feel like you just made cheerleader?" We both laughed, but getting in was just about as hard as anything that came afterwards. So many of us have experienced the angst of trying to get our foot in the door.

I appreciate you speaking up for. I posted this because I truly was very hurt, emotional, and discouraged and I just needed some reassurance. Being that most of the nurses who commented probably helped deliver Jesus, I can understand that the nursing field probably wasn't as competitive as today. Thank You.

OH MY GOSH. you are sooo disrespectful..... seriously..... I can see why older nurses eat their young... there is this lovely rule that says to RESPECT YOUR ELDERS.... between your jumping on the program director and your disrespect right here....i can only imagine what kind of a nurse you will be....but thats right...you are the ONLY one who applied thats truly meant to be a nurse...:rolleyes:

you remind me of a child stomping their feet and calling names when they dont get what they want.

Specializes in Cardiac.
I appreciate you speaking up for. I posted this because I truly was very hurt, emotional, and discouraged and I just needed some reassurance. Being that most of the nurses who commented probably helped deliver Jesus, I can understand that the nursing field probably wasn't as competitive as today. Thank You.

Preserved for posterity. :confused:

I appreciate you speaking up for. I posted this because I truly was very hurt, emotional, and discouraged and I just needed some reassurance. Being that most of the nurses who commented probably helped deliver Jesus, I can understand that the nursing field probably wasn't as competitive as today. Thank You.

Now THIS is the post that could make me sound mean if I responded to it, so I won't. :rolleyes:

Specializes in Geriatics.
OH MY GOSH. you are sooo disrespectful..... seriously..... I can see why older nurses eat their young... there is this lovely rule that says to RESPECT YOUR ELDERS.... between your jumping on the program director and your disrespect right here....i can only imagine what kind of a nurse you will be....but thats right...you are the ONLY one who applied thats truly meant to be a nurse...:rolleyes:

you remind me of a child stomping their feet and calling names when they dont get what they want.

It was a joke....lighten up OMG!

I wasn't saying that anyone was a serial killer, I was saying that just because your score is high doesn't mean you will make a better nurse than me. And another thing I didn't make it personal, but I think that's the problem with the selection process its too impersonal. Plus, my essay was looked over by a English professor and by an attorney who was formerly an R.N. so I'm positive that was fine. I agree with you on upping my score I just paid for another test and I hope things work out better next time.

You were getting a lot of sympathy before, but you may have just blown it with these last two posts!

Any selection process for any competitive position MUST be impersonal or it wouldn't be a fair process.

It took you three times to pass your entrance exam, and when you did, your scores weren't great, so you have already demonstrated that you have more difficulty than some in studying for, processing, and retaining the necessary information on examinations. You scored in the bottom 7 our of 32 applicants. The reality is, someone with your scores isn't someone I would want to be my nurse. Yet you would have had the selection committee choose you over someone else who scored higher.

The entrance exams, as already stated, are indicators of who will do well enough in nursing school to pass ALL of the many exams, including the NCLEX, which will all require a good deal of critical thinking. Nursing school is HARD, and nurses will have lives in their hands, so it's only right that the process of selecting students should be competitive.

You could conceivably buckle down and do the work necessary to gain entrance to this nursing school, or you could do as others suggested and apply to other schools where the entrance standards are lower or are not as competitive. Yes, you can still be a nurse, and MAYBE a good one. But you will need to quit feeling sorry for yourself, respect the process, and study your a** off.

If you do get in, you better be prepared to put your money where your mouth is and prove how good a nurse you can be. I have seen many nurses who managed to get into nursing school and become licensed but just couldn't cut it as bedside nurses. So just because someone CAN get into nursing school doesn't necessarily mean they should.

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