space in RN programs

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site and was just wondering what it's like all over the U.S. regarding nursing programs. I'm in California and it is so impacted... I can't believe it. Most of the schools in my area have between 500-700 applicants for 20-40 spaces per semester. I finished my RN prereqs and have been applying for almost a year now. I am currently finishing the last week of my CNA training which I am very excited about. I'm trying to stay positive through all of this. I never imagined that it would take me this long to figure out "what I want to be when I grow up" ;) and then be passionate, driven and dedicated to something that I may not get the chance to do. I may be willing to move someday if I'll have a better chance in another area. Good luck to everyone with your nursing goals! Thanks

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Specializes in ICU.

Don't give up! Are u applying to more then just one program? Have u thought about taking the BSN route? I am still taking my pre-req. and hoping to get into the nursing program in "Fall 08".

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm originally from California, so I am fully aware of all of the impacted nursing programs in that state. I now live in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and the competition to get admitted into RN programs is rather fierce here, too. However, the nice thing about living here is the fact that the rural schools have more lenient admissions policies. Therefore, you have a good chance of getting admitted to a school out in the "boonies" if you have completed their requirements and are willing to endure a daily commute to the countryside.

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Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

Rumor has it that in my neck of the woods if you are already on the list, you will start in Summer of '09. Very depressing. So I will (hopefully) be starting the LPN program in the Fall and whenever a spot opens up for the RN program, I will get in then. I can't keep waiting and I can't afford to keep waiting either.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Yes, I'm applying to 4 different programs. Next semester I'll apply to the same 4 again as well as 3 LVN programs. Hopefully with 7 apps I'll get in somewhere! Good luck to you for Fall 08!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

You are fortunate that you are even able to apply several times. The community colleges in NYC allow one to apply for candidacy twice. After the second time, you are not allowed to apply again at that school. Don't know about the private sector colleges. Good luck.

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Specializes in Telemetry.
You are fortunate that you are even able to apply several times. The community colleges in NYC allow one to apply for candidacy twice. After the second time, you are not allowed to apply again at that school. Don't know about the private sector colleges. Good luck.

Wow... that bites! Thanks for the perspective. Good luck to you in NY! I am thankful that I can apply till the cows come home here. Just hoping I don't have to ;)

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yes i am also in ny, the nursing game is near impossible to get into... i suggesstion if u drive to commute to nj.. its less fierce and chances are better... i just finished my cna class and start my lpn program in march... also lpn to rn in jersey is easier and u have a better chance in ny to get into an rn program if ur an lpn.... I have a question to all cna's in new york city area and northern new jersey... who's paying the most for cna's?

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i wanted to suggest 'challenging the lvn', i know a couple of friends of mine who had 51 months of 'nursing experience' ie. as a cna for example who couldn't get into programs but by only investing in a pharmacology class they were able to sit for the board and apply to more programs (the lvn to rn options available in many programs) this way their chances of getting in improved as well as being able to complete it in half the time (you get credit for half the rn program). in california this is an option (i should know since i teach the pharmacology course!) i know of many out of state 'health care workers' that choose to get the lvn license in ca and then apply for licensing in their own state (if their state doesn't offer it 'directly')

just another idea i wanted to throw out there, either way don't give up--just hang in there

anna

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Specializes in Telemetry.
i wanted to suggest 'challenging the lvn', i know a couple of friends of mine who had 51 months of 'nursing experience' ie. as a cna for example who couldn't get into programs but by only investing in a pharmacology class they were able to sit for the board and apply to more programs (the lvn to rn options available in many programs) this way their chances of getting in improved as well as being able to complete it in half the time (you get credit for half the rn program). in california this is an option (i should know since i teach the pharmacology course!) i know of many out of state 'health care workers' that choose to get the lvn license in ca and then apply for licensing in their own state (if their state doesn't offer it 'directly')

just another idea i wanted to throw out there, either way don't give up--just hang in there

anna

wow, thanks for the idea. i would really need to work for a while before i did this (and take pharmacology too) seeing as i just finished my cna training. i'd be missing out on a lot of clinical experience this way and i really want to learn as much as i can and be great at it. do you think the rn upward mobility would be harder for someone who went this route? that would be great if lvns could teach special courses to cna's for challenging the board so they have all the foundation they need to do well and we could get more people through programs. thanks again for the info!

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Wow, thanks for the idea. I would really need to work for a while before I did this (and take Pharmacology too) seeing as I just finished my CNA training. I'd be missing out on a lot of clinical experience this way and I really want to learn as much as I can and be great at it. Do you think the RN upward mobility would be harder for someone who went this route? That would be great if LVNs could teach special courses to CNA's for challenging the board so they have all the foundation they need to do well and we could get more people through programs. Thanks again for the info!

I don't think it would be any harder-- the LVN's who i've talked to that are in the LVN to RN program tell me how grateful they are that they did this and can work less because they get paid higher as LVN's than CNAs not to mention being able to get into a program since it is so competetive.

it depends the person you are--the longer i've been in nursing the more i'm convinced that there are some CNA's/ LVN's or RNs that are good and some that are bad--and i could tell you in never has anything to do with where they went to school or if they were licensed as whatever before, it just depends on the person. I just know i wish i had known about it way before and would of reached my goals a lot sooner than i did,

Anna NP

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