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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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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Sorry to hear your son is having problems. I have moved this to the student forum where hopefully some students can come along and give their ideas

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Thank you I really apprecaite that. I am having a little trouble navigating and hope this isn't to much trouble.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thank you I really apprecaite that. I am having a little trouble navigating and hope this isn't to much trouble.

No trouble at all. Being unfamiliar in the US way of life (nursing school) I am unable to offer any information however you may want to consider moving away if it can make things a bit easier

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Silverdragon,

I appreciate what you are saying but I am not a position to move right now & economy and all being what it is. Gosh I hope that is not the only answer.

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If I were your son, or yourself, or both, I would go to the Dean of the Nursing Program and explain to them that you don't know what it means that he is not a good "statistic" to go for clinicals and then I would ask what he could do to further himself so that he can get accepted. The next step would be the President of the school or the Provost (depending on the type of school it is).

I am not exactly clear what you mean by he isn't getting into clinicals? Is it nursing school that he is not getting into? Nursing school, especially depending on where you live, is so competitive that sometimes you will not be accepted without a 4.0 average. I know that in my area, a C is not considered competitive enough and most schools will not accept you (unless you are willing to pay for a private school). A B average is good but in some areas, especially California from what I hear (I'm not sure where you are), it just isn't enough...sadly as I'm sure your son has worked very hard. Good luck and the first step I would take it to go back to the Dean to get EXACTLY what she is looking for.

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Calebmommy,

It is nursing clinicals. He has a B average. He is in Illinois. What is a Provost?

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I know that at my college, getting into the program is really competitive. Many of the people have prior bachelor degrees or some even higher. Many students have been waiting years to get in. What I've seen many of those students who have been unable to get in is that they've gone to different schools. Look around and see if maybe he'll have better luck elsewhere.

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I know it's frustrating, it sounds like your son has been working very hard. I think the problem might be that most nursing programs I know of are really competitive right now. I know that for the programs in this area, a B average wouldn't be competitive enough to gain access. A B is the minimum requirements for the program, but there can be 400+ people who are trying to all get into the program and only 80 seats. If the top 100 people have A's....then the folks with B's don't get a shot.

Could he retake some of his classes to improve his GPA? Some schools accept a second grade if you take the class over and some don't....he'd have to check with his school.

Unfortunately though, the Dean pretty much gets to decide who to let in the program and who she doesn't let in to the program. I don't think that there's anyone who'll be able to talk to that will make the Dean change her mind.

I wish you and your son the best of luck.

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Specializes in NICU.

George, you sound like a very caring parent who is more than willing to go to bat for your child. Good for you :).

Nursing schools are very competitive and admission is difficult, even with a high grade point average. Schools will give you the minimum GPA requirement, but applicants almost always have a much higher GPA than that.

I just have a couple of suggestions. One, try a community college. A lot of them are open enrollment as long as the applicant has met the minimum requirements. There are usually waiting lists, but at least there is a spot waiting at the end :).

Another thought is that nursing has a strong bent for autonomy. It will probably look better to the Dean of Nursing if your son talks to the Dean by himself. It will show he is taking initiative and is responsible--not that he isn't a responsible boy, nursing school just has it's quirks ;).

I would also probably not mention ADD; it's something he can work with in school and as a nurse, but it may concern the Dean. A lot of nurses do have ADD and compensate just fine--it's pretty common, I think.

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Your son wasn't accepted in the nursing school because the admissions committee chose more qualified applicants. All nursing schools do this. There are too many applicants for too few spots, so the most qualified will always get the seats. Your son needs to apply to different nursing schools or improve his qualifications.

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Hi George!

I am in Illinois. Do you mind telling me what school you are speaking of?

I attend UIC College of Nursing. 800 people applied for 90 spots last year. Nursing school is very, very competetive. My advice would be to have your son apply elsewhere. There are many nursing schools in Illlinois to choose from.

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