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Recently my son was turned down(2nd time) for clinical in LPN nursing for the Nursing. He has fulfilled all the requirements to be eligible for nursing clinical. He has a Associates Degree from the college. He has and does work fulltime in the medical profession for the last 3 years as a CNA. His letters of recommendations for the clinical are from The Dean Of the Liberal Arts Department, A prominent attorney in the this area, as well as his supervisor where he works , several nurses and Team leader from previous jobs . He carries a B average. He has had support from the colleges student services support for his Attention Deficit Disorder and is consider a success story by them. He is also part Korean.

The head of the nursing said to me "she grave doubts he would make it through clinical if he worked" that was 2 years go. So he spent his summer writing care plans for this Dean on his own time trying to improve his chance of being accepted the 2nd time. At the conclusion of this the Dean of the nursing school even told him his care plans were good. However he recently took Anatomy II over ,even though received a C on the first grade, and received a B. Than he replied for clinical and received a letter turning him down for clinical before his grade was even posted. The letter said to the effect "that he was not a good candidate to succeed" despite a college degree and working 3 years in the medical field as well as some very strong recommendation sources ie Dean of Liberal Arts, Prominent Attorney, Other Nurses and Supervisor from his medical job.

I encouraged him to speak to the Dean of the campus. At which he explained why he thought it didn't seem fair and he was concerned. The Dean told him that because the Dean was a Dean of the Nursing College she was not his subordinate and he could really do anything about her decisions although he understood why my son was concerned.

He went back and ask again the Dean of the Nursing School why and she said to first "it isn't personal" and 2nd "based on statistics he didn't have a good chance at succeeding"

I am unclear what that means? I assume there is specific criteria for being eligible for an accredited nursing school? I don't think it would be based on arbitrary nor capricious guidelines or opinion of one person? I am confused by this especially since he has met all the criteria of the colleges requirements.

So any advice you could give would be so appreciated. We are not a wealthy family and have used grants as well as personal financial resources to advance him. I am single parent and worked in manufacturing for 15 years until recent lay offs so we are running out of resources to make this very hard young man have this chance.

1. If the Ass Dean of the College is not the supervisor of the Dean of the nursing school college who is her supervisor?

2. Are there Federal and State requirements to be a Nursing School that is part of a college?

3. I am sure this school Federal and State monies are they than subject to federal and State rules?

Being that he has fulfilled his requirements and has a college degree and has such good recommendations and has fullfilled the GPA

requirements for clinical than I cannot understand why he is not being allowed into clinical?

Those were some of the questions. I apologize for being long winded but I tried to remember everything. I appreciate your time in this. He of course is very discouraged. Plus this particular Dean also is on the board of the only other Nursing school in this town so I am a little concerned. Anything you could suggest would be very appreciated . Thank you again.

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May I ask if do you know if other males are in the program?

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You ask some excellent questions, which I am sorry to be unable to answer. I would like to know, too, just as you do, who is the Dean's boss.

However, I do hope you will persist and get the truth out of the N. School Dean.

It might be necessary for your son to do battle with these people himself. It probably does not speak well for him that you are apparently involved in discussions with decision makers on his behalf. As a parent, I do understand your pain. But it is really something he should be doing himself.

It might also be necessary for him to change schools and make a fresh start - in another town where no one knows him - maybe where he will not be the only Korean student.

I do hope he will be able to get the truth out of this Dean (of the N. school). Citing statistics seems evasive.

Is your son admitted to the Nursing school or trying to be admitted? It seems unusual that a student who works as hard and as persistently as he has would be having such a tough time getting into clinicals. I do wish him the best of luck.

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Trying to be admitted. I agree with you that me saying to much would probaly not be helpfull. I had hoped though by the time he got home from work maybe I would have some suggestions for him. I agree with you also this statistics is not a reasonable answer. I guess I expected it to be at least a reason why. I can't think holding him working against him when he has already proven he can succeed and work, fair. I can't understand who the supervisor is. I don't even know the chain command to refer him to since the Ass. Dean of the whole college was not forthcoming about what the chain of command is. But I think in order to turn someone down there must some guenuine reason and not just arbitary? This is very confusing and he is very young and he has worked so hard! If work is it , well it seems to me other nurses worked to get through nursing school. ONe of his nursing instructors who is an RN said she did. So that answer is not logical to me. I would think holding a full academic load and working full time and achieving a degree would prove he could succeed. None of it makes sense to me? I don't even know the right questions to ask to understand what is the deal here?:o

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Alleyb,

He said "their were only 2 others " at that time and one of them was ask to washed out(I think that is the termonology) . He said " that male went up and was pretty vocal to the Dean of the nursing school" . But what a good question. I think the ratio of male to female acceptees is very low for the males.

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Alleyb.

I believe out of that whole class of clinicals there was only 3 males. It was a predominately female clinicals class.

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i dont know what else he can do to increase his chance of admission. i thought clinical experience are more important then the grades because lot of students fail clinicals and nursing schools require about 3 month of experience in hospital. it seems like this school is not likely to accept him into the program. i would suggest maybe he can work in the hospital setting like in er or icu and i would suggest him to apply to different schools. he shouldnt have problems getting grants or loans.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Can he apply to another school? Can he take more science courses? Chemistry? He needs to get A's if possible. If he has been turned down, ask about the others who are being accepted--they may have exemplary GPAs. It's SO VERY, extremely competitive nowadays.

I really doubt being male or being part Korean has anything to do with it.

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MS.RN,

I think he has applied to a 4 year program but the cost is so prohibited and we are not the only struggling in todays economy. He has met the GPA for the clinicals or I am guessing they would sighted that as the reason why he was not accepted in the letter. He works in the medical profession as a CNA and has for 3 years. He works with Alzheimer patients. The RN's who he works with are 2 of his letters of recommendation for Clinincals.

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jopacurn,

he has been retaking classes to bring his gpa up. but they are expensive and we like most have been hit by the economic times we are currently in. out of pocket expense become prohibitive to taking classes over also. who knows how things will go but if he has met the requirements than it is undue duress to refuse him and if he hasn't this accreditated college ,only reasonable , should tell him why. how can he improve on something if the college won't say what the problem is. besides aren't you guys have procedures and policy in place. i mean otherwise they could base the decesiions on any kind of nonsense. i mean arbitary or capricous ? they can't welll your hair is to curly and thats good enough? it must be a legitamate accrediate school right?

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To be perfectly honest to get into a nursing program in my area Bs just aren't good enough. I know that seems crazy but that's just the way it is. They want a 4.0 or very, very, very close to a 4.0. Especially when there are plenty of 4.0 students out who have also been CNAs and have exceptional recommendation letters etc. the one with the 4.0 will get in. They especially want to see an A in classes like chem and A and P.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

He may have met the minimum GPA but if they have A students they'll take them over B students. Just meeting the GPA requirement is seldom enough

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