Nursing shortage! Nursing program waiting lists!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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.

The CC where I am attending accepts 120 students each fall and spring semester. The criteria for getting in (according to the nursing meeting that I attended last month) is based on GPA. The NET scores are used as a tie breaker in case two people have the same GPA for the last slot. The only thing that sucks is they do thier class selection on a lottery (they do not use the lottery for admitting purpases). The first semester of nursing they draw names out of the 120 students admitted for that semester and that is the order you can register for classes. This is actually better than what I had heard last semester where I was told that if a class fills up after you registered for it and someone wants in that class then they pool all the names and pick from that. After the first semester lottery pool, your number will be based on your GPA. So the higher GPA you have in your nursing classes the closer to the top of the list you are to picking classes. However, the director of nursing also said that they will work with people to trade locations/clinicals with other students to accommadate. Seems reasonable to me. All the other cc's around only take in a small number of students each year and some have long waiting lists. I will get my ADN from here and move on to my BSN with a University that I found that will take up to 62 credits from a cc and also gives you 30 credits for your RN License. Cant beat that! Its all online with only one clinical requirement which they place you in based on your location and assign you a proctor. Its also accredited with the NLN and CCNE!

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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.

I know your frustration!

I am in my last semester of pre-req's now, physiology and microbiology. I will be eligible for the lottery for the Spring 06 semester at CC at 46 yrs old.

What irritates me about the whole lottery system is that it doesn't take into account the GPA at all. I've encountered a number of people who barely scrape by with a C in pre-req's ( physiology, chemistry, microbio, math - not the fluff stuff) who will take up a slot in the lottery. Some of these people know they only have to have a C to make it in and do not LEARN the concepts, only what will get them thru the test..... some can't understand it enough to do better than a C. The ADN program loses about half the students the first year because they can't make the grades. This allows the qualified LVN's to enter the 2nd year and earn their ADN. Which is wonderful, but it seems like more LVN's or qualified students could get thru the ADN program by eliminating the "any warm body with a 2.0 GPA" gains entry status.

I think this is a tremendous waste of resources - both in educators time, CA tax dollars ( we have an automatic CA subsidy here), and for the loss of qualified students who decide to turn to another career instead of waiting.

So I am using the system to my advantage..... I am applying to the ADN program lottery and/or will be camping out on campus overnight to assure myself a spot in the LVN program as it's first come first served. Whichever route I can get thru first.

Either way, I know that I am well prepared educationally to go into either program with my GPA of 3.6 .

Consider all your options.

Hugs!

MaryRose

PS..... yes I realize there are exceptions to the low GPA rule, especially for returning older students who had probs in younger years. This could be accounted for by counting the current GPA in the pre-req's.

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Hi!! I am Venezuelan, trying to get in to Nursing as a second career. I came to USA because of my husband and recently moved to Atlanta, GA.

There is to many info where to look and I would like to know how "feasible" is to get in to a Nursing program in Atlanta (Georgia State University, Clayton College & State University, Perimeter College, Emory University etc). I am 32 years old and I do not want to plan my next 3 years based on false expectations.

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!anyone who can guide me to where to go and what will be a realistic option to get into the filed.

Please send me a PM.

THANKS!! :)

Anamary

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Hi!! I am Venezuelan, trying to get in to Nursing as a second career. I came to USA because of my husband and recently moved to Atlanta, GA.

There is to many info where to look and I would like to know how "feasible" is to get in to a Nursing program in Atlanta (Georgia State University, Clayton College & State University, Perimeter College, Emory University etc). I am 32 years old and I do not want to plan my next 3 years based on false expectations.

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!anyone who can guide me to where to go and what will be a realistic option to get into the filed.

THANKS!! :)

Anamary

I would go to the colleges in your area and talk with a counselors. They should be able to inform you best as some areas have long waiting periods and others do not. This is also where you can find out what pre-requisite courses you must have which can vary from school to school as well.

Best Wishes!

MaryRose

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Thank you very much!!!

I am doing that but I did not asked anything about those WAITING LIST!!!I did not know how high is the demand now. I would like to ask you (MaryRose)knowing that you are a Gold member in this site, is there really any advantage in becoming BSN rather than a ADN. Again, i am really concern about the time frame for this new step i will take...I recently got married and We are thinking in having a baby at the end of next year ....???

I Have a Associate Degree in Hotel Management and because the diferences in this two field I have to take most of the pre-courses before star the Nursing program.. no matter where i decide to go. So it will take me extra time and I do not want to start in the filed in my 40.. :crying2:

I will apreciate your comments on this matter...

GRACIAS!!!

THANK YOU!!!

Anamary

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Thank you very much!!!

I am doing that but I did not asked anything about those WAITING LIST!!!I did not know how high is the demand now. I would like to ask you (MaryRose)knowing that you are a Gold member in this site, is there really any advantage in becoming BSN rather than a ADN. Again, i am really concern about the time frame for this new step i will take...I recently got married and We are thinking in having a baby at the end of next year ....???

I Have a Associate Degree in Hotel Management and because the diferences in this two field I have to take most of the pre-courses before star the Nursing program.. no matter where i decide to go. So it will take me extra time and I do not want to start in the filed in my 40.. :crying2:

I will apreciate your comments on this matter...

GRACIAS!!!

THANK YOU!!!

Anamary

Hi Anamary,

I am a mere student as yourself, Premium Member just means that I paid the membership fee here.

Every situation is different. I started pre-req's after my youngest son finished college and I was 44. I will begin a program next Spring at age 46..... it works well for me. I think I personally am a better student being older as I was not nearly as tenacious about study when I was younger (personal experience only).

Some people here have started a family while in nursing school and succeeded very well. Looking back on those years, I can't see how I could have done it! lol

I would explore all the options available to you and choose the program that best suits where you are in life.

Best Wishes!

MaryRose

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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!

Thanks I'll check into it.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

It's just as bad in Denver--I've been on the waiting list at one of our CC from summer of 2003--and I've again been informed that I'm not even eligible to be an alternate for this coming fall (they have two entrances per year--one in fall and the other in spring).

I was fortunate enough to have a previous bachelor's degree in another field. This opened up the opportunity to apply for the Nursing Doctorate (soon to become the Doctor of Nursing Practice) program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Many of my classmates plan on dropping the program after we obtain our BSN next spring. Is this option open to you where you are?

All of us here have been told that there are two reasons for the bottleneck--one is shortage of instructors and the other is shortage of clinical placement sites. We have several nursing programs in the area (both CC and traditional), and they're all fighting for clincial spots. Very unfortunate.

Don't give up!!!! I know it's hard, but it will be worth it once you get in!

chickdude1

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.
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My daughter is on the wait list for the second year at several schools in Oregon, including private schools. She has finished all of her pre-reqs and has a high GPA. She is very discouraged. It doesn't make sense that with an advanced degree that is necessary to teach, you make less money than a new grad with an associates degree in a hospital. Is it any wonder that our nursing shortage is growing??? Mary

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I have a brother who lives in the same county and i was thiing of moving out their to Wayne,Michigan but, I heard alot of bad new about Wayne county such as break-ins in the houses and people getting robbed and all other soughts of things and I was wonder to ask you if this is true also my brother live in florida street is that close to you????? and is Wayne County part of detroit couse I heard that area is baddddddddddddddd...]QUOTE=foxfire65]Was wondering what county you were in? I am in Wayne Co., Michigan. It is similar here, except the cc I am in supposedly admits 240 students per year, but it is on a lottery also and they say you must have A's and B's in pre reqs to get in. Although I have heard they allow some C students in. I am thinking of transferring to another cc or university.

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I am up here in Oregon. This is the first time I've posted, so please be kind:). I was just accepted into the OHSU Nursing Program. I was one out of twenty seven chosen. Thank goodness I've maintained my grades, and participated in volunteer activities. I do agree with you that the waiting lists seem to be a problem. However, the shortage has created an unusual situation. The recruitment of retired nurses and such has left the teaching pool a little dry. There have to be enough instructors to teach and there aren't. I am a mom of three and 30 years old and I was hoping they took that into consideration when looking at my application. Those of us that are non-traditional students don't have time to waste. I wish you the best of luck.

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.
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I love this forum, I am still considering getting back into the medical field and focusing attention on nursing and this forum has some of the best suggestions and information. :)

Very sensible advice. Sometimes, the "more expensive" private school is actually cheaper in the long run because of the financial assistance available and because of the ability to graduate faster and get out in the workforce sooner. You can use the money you earn in those "extra earning years" to pay back any student loans.

The trick is: to be disciplined enough to not spend those first paychecks on rewards for yourself for graduation. I've seen lots of people spend lots of money on "fun stuff" in that first year or two after school and end up with big debts 5 years later. They say, "I deserve this" for all the hard work they did in school -- but they forget about the burden of the long-term debt. They would be better off continuing to live like a "poor struggling student" for another year or two and pay off the debt.

llg

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