Possible solution for those not getting in ASN/ADN programs?

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I've seen a lot of heartbreak on this board of nurses not being able to get in to ADN/ASN programs, or being put on a huge waiting list.

I'm not sure about other areas but here in Arkansas there seems to ALWAYS be openings for fasttrack programs (LPN to RN, usually they are a little less then a year in length) I get an advertisement once a week from some random fasttrack program within a 100 mile radius of where I live basically stating when the program starts and I had better apply by X date. I think the SBON sells their mailing list :(

Anyways I feel it is perfectly feasible to attend an LPN program (1 year) then fasttrack afterwords, if your area is anything like mine the schools are practically begging for fasttrackers, yet they have mile long waiting lists for those attending the full program. You also get the benefit of getting more clinical in since LPN programs are usually more hands on oriented.

Anyways just an idea I thought I would throw out there :) I'm currently working on my ASN through excelsior, going back to nursing school sends thoughts of horror running through my head, once was enough for me ! :p

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Good idea... but same problem, lack of instructors. Had 150 applicants for LPN program at our cc... only 20 slots. State of NC just doesn't pay. (Don't get me wrong, I love my job and am very appreciative of every penny of my salary, but I could quit today and tomorrow be working in the hospital, making $11,000 more/year). I am a BSN nurse. MSN nurses out in private practice can make $30,000/year more. In essence, faculty nursing positions in NC have become BSN jobs. Even so, it is getting difficult to find anyone with a BSN who wants to teach (ADN or LPN) and take such a huge paycut.

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by VickyRN

Good idea... but same problem, lack of instructors. Had 150 applicants for LPN program at our cc... only 20 slots. State of NC just doesn't pay. (Don't get me wrong, I love my job and am very appreciative of every penny of my salary, but I could quit today and tomorrow be working in the hospital, making $11,000 more/year).

Exactly. Simply put, the nursing shortage is affecting all areas of nursing, not just the bedside.

It is disheartening because I am a BSN, working as a Nurse Educator in staff development in the hospital setting. I am 1 year away from having my MSN. The pay cut I took to be in this role is truly, truly discouraging. Working in the academic setting would be even less pay. :o

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Payscale based on education was always a topic of humour for me and a couple Masters level social workers I befriended at an old job. I basically made about 10% more then them with my 1 year of education as an LPN.

They obviously need to make the faculty/nurse instructor jobs more attractive, the nursing shortage isn't going to get any better as more and more baby boomers are needing healthcare in their senior years. Why aren't universities/CC's doing this? Is the money not there? There is obviously a very desperate need for more bedside type nurses, yet the institutions that train them are routinley sending away 300 applicants that meet the colleges admission criteria...whats wrong with this picture ?

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A heads up to those in the metropolitan NYC area ---

St Vincents Medical Center Nursing School on Staten Island in NYC just held an open house to recruit students for their 2 yr associates degree program. So if anyone is in the area, give them a call. Theyre expanding the program & adding seats that need to be filled.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
They obviously need to make the faculty/nurse instructor jobs more attractive, the nursing shortage isn't going to get any better as more and more baby boomers are needing healthcare in their senior years. Why aren't universities/CC's doing this? Is the money not there? There is obviously a very desperate need for more bedside type nurses, yet the institutions that train them are routinley sending away 300 applicants that meet the colleges admission criteria...whats wrong with this picture ?

The State of NC is having a severe budget crisis. Cut, cut, cut. The "good old boys" in the state legislature don't consider the community college system a very high priority (even though WE are the ones who are taking people with NO jobs and turning these folk into tax-paying, economically productive citizens). The cc system is just not "squeaky" enough (unlike the public schools, etc, etc.). Now maybe if people inundated the legislators with letters, emails, phone calls, etc., they just might "see the light."

I personally think it is a crying shame (with all of our jobs heading south thanks to NAFTA :( ) that good-paying RN jobs in the area are being filled by travelers, foreigners, etc. (not that I have anything against travelers or foreigners) when we have local people lined out the door BEGGING for a chance to become an RN.

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