"But nurses are in demand, how can it be hard to get into nursing school"?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Anyone else getting this response from out-of-the-know relatives/co-workers/neighbors? I feel like they think I'm lying when I say the program I applied to has almost 450 applications for 25 spots. They look at me like I'm making it up!:eek:

Anyone else getting this response from out-of-the-know relatives/co-workers/neighbors? I feel like they think I'm lying when I say the program I applied to has almost 450 applications for 25 spots. They look at me like I'm making it up!:eek:

Same here...last week I ran into a neighbor and she asked "are you STILL in school?" ( I've been working on prerequs for a couple of years and will be finished in May, then off to praying to get accepted into nursing school) most people have no clue what it takes and that you need to do prerequisites before applying to nursing school...doing the prerequisites is one thing and getting INTO and COMPLETING nursing school is another, most don't understand that you have to APPLY to nursing school, that you can't just go to nursing school....some people just don't get it!!!!!!! So don't feel bad, I get the same look :eek: all the time.

Keep going, give it your all and good luck to you in the future, remember you have friends here.

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just smile and consider the source, hopefully you will land a spot in a good accredited school

about the nurses shortage i

if they think it is bad now just wait about 10 or 15 when a large number of baby boomer nurses cross the aisle from giving care to needing care, there will probably not be a significant increase in physical facilities,classrooms, lab etc so where will the increase in nurses come from

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I met an RN the other day - just finishing up her BSN bridge at the school I'm applying to - who attended nursing school immediately out of high school, was 17 when she started, and 19 at graduation. She actually asked me essentially that same question, and was very surprised that the school she is attending requires such a high GPA (3.7 ish for upper division, 3.4 for 2nd degree) for acceptance. Now, she takes her bridge classes online and doesn't need to be familiar with USF, but she was also surprised that we have prereqs now, because she didn't in 1981. She works in HIV/AIDS research, and maybe doesn't come in contact with a lot of students...it was weird to me that she was so unfamiliar with the current sprocess.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am not a big proponent of government infringing on education. However, realistically, you must pay more in order to entice MSN and doctorate level candidates. I would like to teach clinicals but I already work 55-60 plus hours per week and can't take on another job. And...I still owe >25k in student loans and I just can't take a pay cut.

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Specializes in Psych.

I always give the short answer, "A nursing shortage means fewer nurses teaching." So far everyone has comprehended that on the first try.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilities, LTC.
I would like to teach clinicals but I already work 55-60 plus hours per week and can't take on another job. And...I still owe >25k in student loans and I just can't take a pay cut.

And that's another part of the problem! Why would anyone want to go to school another 2-4 years to become a teacher to make the same amount of money (or less) than a practicing nurse? I've seen a few nursing instructor salaries & they are just ridiculously low.

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Specializes in RN-BC, CCRN, TCRN, CEN.

They just did a News story on our local news about that. It is said to be the most in demand job by 2015. They said the shortage would be over 340,000 and there are over 100,000 students that get denied each year because of lack of instructors.

Jeremy

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the "family, friends" who tell me I am adding the pressure to myself because I "feel" I have to get A's . I repeatedly explain over and over that I don't "Feel" I have to get A's I HAVE to get A's for the program I am applying too, I am not some over achieving psycho killing myself for A's I just want to get into the program and its how they choose, and there are 300+ other people trying to do the samething for 12 spots so ya I am giving myself too much pressure.

oh don't even get me started hehehee.

Yeah, if one more person says "A C is a degree" I'm gonna lose it! A C doesn't even get you in the running to have a chance for a degree!

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I'm running into the same problem. My family is full of nurses and doctors, though almost all are retired. Everytime I start talking about getting worried about not getting in, they cut me off and say, "Nonsense! How can you be worried about not getting in?"

God bless 'em, they just don't understand it isn't like it was 40 years ago. You don't just show up at the school and sign up.

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

seasoned nurses at my hospital don't even understand the fierce competition to get into school nowadays.

I get the "when are you going to finish" question all the time. I have been taking pre-req's (part-time) since Fall 2003. Hopefully, I will be in a transitional program in May. A light at the end of the tunnel- hope it's not a train ;)

Considering a RN-BSN after this :idea:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

For the OP, get a thick skin, because these will be the same folks who will have NO CLUE about what you're doing once you're in school...it is not the same as taking a history or English course, or even an A & P class...you won't find a lot of understanding except among classmates and folks on these boards!! It's almost like an "inside joke" where you have to be there...:roll

I had a pretty intense test last week and my husband was rolling his eyes at the amount of studying and stressing I was doing over the weekend....he said, "You always get good grades"...but he wasn't connecting the dots -- perhaps there is some correlation between the amount of studying I do AND the fact that I get decent grades? It's not a gimme.....

Hang in there and don't let those that can't understand get to you....just enjoy the ride!!

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People have no idea how hard it is to get into nusring school. I wasn't even prepared for just how competitive it is and I am the one applying. lol It gives you a newfound respect for the nursing profession and all the education and expertise they have. I don't think they get the respect they deserve.

One school has 850 applicants for 40 spots and they take their own first. It's beyond a long shot. Thankfully I am lucky enough to have another school that goes by a waiting list.

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