Nursing shortage! Nursing program waiting lists!

Achoo!, LPN · Apr 6, 2005

I amin Wisconsin, and our wait is 2-4 years at the technical colleges.

Maxs · Apr 7, 2005

Have you tried going out of state? I know you all have families, but if it's going to take two years to wait, why not become an RN withen that two years at another state. I know it sounds rediculous, but that's the only solution I can think of. I wish I can help more, I will do more researches and see what I can find. Anyhow, I know of one school that gets only around 40 applicants and 35 are admitted, but it's in illinois. Also you should check into those midwest states such as Missouri and etc, they're less competive than most states. I hope you all find the solution to your journeys.

Maxs

Kelly2004 · Apr 7, 2005

Have you tried going out of state? I know you all have families, but if it's going to take two years to wait, why not become an RN withen that two years at another state. I know it sounds rediculous, but that's the only solution I can think of. I wish I can help more, I will do more researches and see what I can find. Anyhow, I know of one school that gets only around 40 applicants and 35 are admitted, but it's in illinois. Also you should check into those midwest states such as Missouri and etc, they're less competive than most states. I hope you all find the solution to your journeys.
Maxs

I am in Missouri, specifically St. Louis and we have the same problem here as everywhere else. The CC where I am taking my prereqs has a two year wait. The next closest CC is full already for fall and only accepts applicants now for fall 06, which is still an option for me. The private schools do tend to be a little quicker then the public ones, however, the public ones often have two starts to their nursing programs, meaning one in the fall and one in January (they take 60 students each time, but still have a two year waiting list) where the private 4 year institutions only accept new students once a year in the fall and in very limited numbers. The program that I have applied to has over 400 applicants for 20 spots. There is a school in a small community approx an hour away and I have often wondered if their enrollment was as competitive as it is in the big metro areas.:)

jrun97503 · Apr 8, 2005

I am working on completion of my pre reqs for the ADN program at my local CC. I am a little concerned over the fact that upon my app. I will be placed into a random selection pool. One-third of the class will be alternates from the previous year .Two-thirds will be new apps. I knew what I was walking into, however I just don't understand why. There is a nursing shortage and such high demand for nurses. Why don't we have more programs to educate those who are ready, willing and able. I live in CA. Are other states in the same boat? I'm a mom of three . 33 years old. I work PT and attend classes. Just curious about what others have to say about this issue.

Melpip,

I have noticed this problem as well. Right now I am getting my prereqs done right now for the LPN course and then I will move on later on to get my ADN and so on up the chain until I get my Masters in Nursing. However, my CC is very tight. Each year they only accept 33 students into the nursing program here which is only two years. The LPN program is about the same. However, my CC is supposed to be one of if not the best in the valley where I live. I could go to SOU that is about an hour away, but I would rather get the better one myself, so I know what you are going through.

Dave

Nrs_angie, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

My school only accepts 40 students each year. When I first got accepted, I was told that I was on a waiting list until the following year. Our list was on a first come first serve basis. I cant believe the story from one of the other posts where the school takes 1/3 from the last year's list and 2/3's are new applicants. That is really unfair. Fortunately for me, a few people dropped out and I was admitted the fall after I was accepted. But since they told me I wouldnt be in until the following year... I never applied for any financial assistance. I had to run around at the last minute trying to get loans. It was a disappointment... but now after reading all the stories about how difficult it is in some other states... I am so glad I got in when I did.

Nrs_angie, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

There are several really great programs in Pennsylvania where I live. They are usually on a waiting list too, but alot of people drop out for fear of the challenge. Thats how I got in right away...

Have you tried going out of state? I know you all have families, but if it's going to take two years to wait, why not become an RN withen that two years at another state. I know it sounds rediculous, but that's the only solution I can think of. I wish I can help more, I will do more researches and see what I can find. Anyhow, I know of one school that gets only around 40 applicants and 35 are admitted, but it's in illinois. Also you should check into those midwest states such as Missouri and etc, they're less competive than most states. I hope you all find the solution to your journeys.
Maxs

heatherp · Apr 9, 2005

My school only accepts 40 students each year. When I first got accepted, I was told that I was on a waiting list until the following year. Our list was on a first come first serve basis. I cant believe the story from one of the other posts where the school takes 1/3 from the last year's list and 2/3's are new applicants. That is really unfair.

Our school (a CC) just added spots to make it either 80 or 100 (i'm hearing different stories). It is all a lottery system (new this year). They some sort of formula they use to give you a #, if your # is higher than their cutoff, you get a spot in the lottery. If you do not make it in the first year, you get 2 spots in the lottery the next year. I personally don't like this way of doing it, but I guess they think it's fair. I heard that this year you only had to have a 2.4 to get into the lottery!

The masters program that is my first choice is TOTALLY different! There are only 14-16 spots though. I have to write an essay, have 2 letters of reccomendation, and my transcripts. They then choose 30 people for an interview, then 1/2 of them get in.

rayniedae · Apr 14, 2005

Try applying at Sierra College. I am currently in my 2nd semester and I live in Sacramento (Natomas area). The drive is quick, the parking is great, I love the program, and I got accepted on the first try! It's a smaller program located off of the main campus.

Give it a try! Good luck!

kblaisdell · Apr 19, 2005

The University of Southern Nevada, a private college located in Henderson Nevada (10 miles south of Las Vegas) has full-time and part-time Nursing Programs offering a BSN with no waiting list. If you want to take a look at the requirements, the website is http://www.usn.edu.

It's an incredible school with a high tech campus. USN was the first school in Nevada to offer a PharmD degree in pharmacy and offers an MBA focused on health care professionals, as well.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2005

There was a waiting list where I went to school, but it generally wasn't that long. Of course that was a long time ago. It was first-come first on the list. I got in the same year I applied but wasn't ready and gave up my spot and went the next year, to get more co-reqs done.

I was lucky it was cheap, I paid as I went, working full time and graduated without debt, and spent my first paychecks on me, me, me. LOL Wish I could say the same about my RN to BSN program.

But to address the original posters concern, it is indeed ironic that so many people are lining up to be nurses, hospitals are short of nurses, and there aren't enough spots and programs, so we look to foreign countries to fill the void in the meantime.

melissasmom · Apr 20, 2005

Hi there- New to the boards and I love this site. I am hoping to get into HFCC (in Dearborn, Mi) nursing program. I will be taking my last pre-req next semester and then will have to get on their waiting list. Anyone here go to Henry Ford or have any idea how long of a wait there is? I am expecting it to be at least a year, but hoping it won't be any longer. Thanks :)

rhapsodyRN · Apr 21, 2005

in michigan where i live the cc closest is the only one with a nursing program for at least 90 miles so needless to say there is a long waiting list...about 3 years and 1 1/2 years to get into the pre-nursing program and once you are in that you have to maintain a 3.0 gpa and preferably straight a's in all pre-reqs. :angryfire

you don't happen to live in grand rapids do you? :) last time i checked grcc's waiting list was up to 4 years, and that's only after you have completed your prereqs. absolutely insane. at least in lansing we can apply regardless of where we are at in our studies and just keep trying until we have enough points.