Nursing School Wait Lists

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Hi All!

First I have to say I am so turned off by how, seemingly, difficult it is to get into Nursing! Why all the obstacles?

I am only in my second semester of prerequisites while working full time. I had hoped I could go to school full time next semester. But Ive discovered I have 4 semesters of Biology to take (and only 2 other classes) and they must all be taken sequentially. OK, fine, another year+. But then I discover the wait list. You must complete the prereqs before you can get on the wait list... and the wait list is 2-3 years! O M G. (and this is just for the AAS RN)

So! Im trying to look for schools all around the country with shorter wait lists. I cant seem to find anything that lists the duration for all or a group of schools. Does this mean I must call each and every school individually? :angryfire

I know you all have dealt with this. How is this extreme wait time acceptable? I understand there is a shortage of teachers, but it would seem the medical community would try to get more nurses in - maybe by pointing potentials towards other schools.

I guess Im frustrated by being forced to wait with no incentive to do so. If I were actually learning something over those 2-3 years it would be different.

Any ideas?

Im even willing to move to another state just to get the ball rolling.

Thanks a million!

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I live in Pennsylvania and I did not have a wait list. I am starting Fall 2008 in a two year hospital diploma based RN program.

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Oh, I also wanted to add that while you are checking out other states and their programs ask about their prerequisites. Most programs have different prerequisite requirements. For my program science wise you need Chemistry, A & P I, A & P II, and Microbiology. I know of another program nearby that doesn't require Chemistry but requires General Biology. Good Luck!

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hi - I know, the wait lists are terrible in some places. I go to school in Pennsylvania (near Philly), and there was no wait list. But, it is a private 4-year university (BSN program) and pretty expensive. So when you apply here, you do not need to have pre-req's done before getting accepted. You are accepted into the nursing program or not based on your GPA (high school or other college, depending). Then once you are accepted you take your pre-reqs before you can do clinicals. You do not have to reapply for clinicals, you are already in, you just have to pass everything with a C or better. I have a previous degree in another field, so a number of my classes/credits transferred in (except the sciences, because they were too old). That said, I am only going part time because I have small children and can only manage 2 classes max per semester. I probably won't graduate till 2012.

I think another reason why it is so difficult to get into nursing school these days is because there is such limited clinical space.

You might have to call each school individually to find out what their requirements are, but at least then you'll have some idea. If you do decide to wait it out in your area, you could always try to take some extra nursing related classes that may not be required, volunteer at a hospital if you have time, or even try to get your CNA for some hands-on experience.

Best of luck!

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I saw this posted yesterday-go to discovernursing.com for programs w/out waitlists! The requirements might vary, too.

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I go to Harper College in Palatine, IL. and there is no wait list here! all you have to do is qualify with your results from the NLN and then you are in for the next semester!

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I am a student in Pa and did not have to deal with a wait list either, like Mommycakers program, I also start my clinicals in the fall of 08. I did have to go through the whole pre-req, NLN, wait and worry nightmare, but I was accepted into a program at the community college I go to for the clinicals. I know of other programs in our area that have long wait times and I know that if you don't get the grades, high NLN scores, or take your classes in the right order at the right time you can end up waiting an entire year before you can apply again at my school. I feel really bad for the students that have to go through that, because this is hard enough.

I think your best bet is to apply to as many programs as possible once you get to that point where you are going to be finishing up your pre-reqs within a year or nine months. Schools all have different deadlines, requirements, etc... So you really have to handle them on an individual bases. Don't be afraid to ask questions, be tenacious in your efforts, and don't be too snobby ( not that you would be) about what school you want to go to, just get in somewhere that is descent, and accredited so you can be on your way.

Good Luck, I know it really hard, but don't give up.

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I have found that it is easier to get into private schools...you may pay through the nose but at least you do not have to wait and for the most part they are not as competitive nor do they require as many pre-req's (my experience anyways). Best of luck to you.

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Hi All!

First I have to say I am so turned off by how, seemingly, difficult it is to get into Nursing! Why all the obstacles?

I am only in my second semester of prerequisites while working full time. I had hoped I could go to school full time next semester. But Ive discovered I have 4 semesters of Biology to take (and only 2 other classes) and they must all be taken sequentially. OK, fine, another year+. But then I discover the wait list. You must complete the prereqs before you can get on the wait list... and the wait list is 2-3 years! O M G. (and this is just for the AAS RN)

So! Im trying to look for schools all around the country with shorter wait lists. I cant seem to find anything that lists the duration for all or a group of schools. Does this mean I must call each and every school individually? :angryfire

I know you all have dealt with this. How is this extreme wait time acceptable? I understand there is a shortage of teachers, but it would seem the medical community would try to get more nurses in - maybe by pointing potentials towards other schools.

I guess Im frustrated by being forced to wait with no incentive to do so. If I were actually learning something over those 2-3 years it would be different.

Any ideas?

Im even willing to move to another state just to get the ball rolling.

Thanks a million!

I read your post and I could ditto just about all of what you wrote! I am finished with my wait list pre-reqs and I am now waiting on my waitlist number, according the ccc general application site this "could take as long as 6 months." :icon_roll

The reason that the lists are so long in CO has a lot to do with the lack of qualified teachers as well as the lack of approved clinical sights. The CCs try to send students to the best available clinical sights but they cannot flood a hospital with student nurses due to the shortage of qualified nurses. (This is how it was explained to me a few weeks ago) So, we are kinda in a loop...not enough teachers=not enough qualified nurses=not enough approved/appropriately staffed clinical sights= LONG, LONG waitlists.

There are a few schools in CO that do not have as long a wait as the CCs in the Denver metro area. Also, look into DSON (Denver School of Nursing.) The tuition is almost twice as much as the CC system but there is no waitlist. I am not sure whether they are accredited or not.

Once you finish all of your waitlist pre-reqs you can also take some of the CCConline courses that are required for nursing school. I think that pathophysiology, nutrition and math for clinical calculations are all offered and can be taken while waiting if you choose not to move out of state.

Good luck what ever you decide.

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Specializes in Psych.

Regis is another local option. When I was taking A&P I (in Fall 2005), my teacher said her niece was attending Regis' nursing program and had gone straight in with no wait. They are good about accepting CC credits and have some nice scholarships available if you are part of the 2 year honor society.

I have been completing BSN prereqs while waiting for my ACC number to come up. Now it looks like I will start in the fall. I was really bummed because I still have 4 classes to go on my CU prereq list, but after checking out Regis' online RN-BSN program and finding that it only needs 1 more class, I've decided to go to the CC and roll the credits over when my kids are older.

A friend of a friend moved to Wyoming for her nursing education. No waiting up there, either.

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If you go to the site discovernursing you can click on your state and click on the list of programs without a waitlist.

Good Luck

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Specializes in Psych, Emergency, Med/Surg.

Yes, as others have said, it's a catch 22. There is a terrible shortage of nurses nationwide but along with this comes clinical instructor and site shortages.

Many students choose to gain another degree(since you have already finished alot of core courses) while waiting to get into their program.

Hang in there!!! I've also heard of students getting in right away, it just depends.;)

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