The competition....

[ComeTogether]

This is probably going to come across as harsh and mean, but sometimes I look around either on here or at colleagues also working on their nursing pre-reqs, and I think "THIS is my competition?!?!"

Does this happen to anyone else? The thing that bugs me is likely, a lot of the "competition" will be accepted before me, because they were able to not work full time and attend classes. They may be book smart, but have no common sense....

I'm really not trying to be mean I'm just curious if anyone else experiences this or did once experience it and is now enrolled in a nursing program......

I've been a CNA for 5 years, 3 of them in a hospital setting, and I know this is what I want to do for a living. I feel like I have a better understanding than most of what nursing is really like, although I know it will be even more so when I'm actually employed as a Nurse. That being said, the school I go to won't consider my years as a CNA when I apply for the RN program. They base acceptance on nothing but GPA and high TEAS scores.... I hate it.

Here I am, with a willingness to learn and grow and darn near certain Nursing is what God put me here to do. I have worked along side awesome Docs and Nurses who want to teach me and sometimes even take extra time to show me skills because of the interest I show. And it counts for nothing. Ugh! It makes me so angry.....

Then there is the new high school grad who is able to stay home with Mom and Dad and focus of their studies resulting in a great GPA. They aren't really sure what they want to do in life, but maybe Mom is a RN, so they decide to apply for nursing.....and they get in.

And there's me, with the above experience but not the greatest GPA because my Husband and full time Job require so much from me that my studies have suffered, But I am absolutely sure of what I want to do and I am really good at what I currently do. There is no doubt in my mind I'll make a good nurse someday....

Anyways, Just a vent. I really think more than GPA should be considered for nursing school, and maybe some schools do take healthcare experience into consideration, I don't know. I just can't help but feel defeated when I think about it.....

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I cant write anything without it coming across and too mean. I am the exact person you describe as your competition. So yeah. Not getting into this one.

[Nspirit]

I have to agree with elektrisk564. I'm not new to nursing. I've been an LPN for 18 years and currently in a bridge program. Now, I'm not as sharp as I used to be as far as studying but I don't feel slighted at all over high school students living off their parents while in school. My daughter is in college and living off me and any who does have that luxury, God bless them! When I went to school to become an LPN I had 4 children, my youngest was 5 months and a husband. It was tough, but there were people in my class who did not have the struggles I had. I wasn't concerned about that. My concern was getting through the program and I did with a GPA of 3.7! Right now I have a GPA of 3.4 still not bad. I work as needed so there's not much stress. Glycerine82, you need to focus on your education and not worry about others. Do your best with the tools you have. Also, may be one of these 18 year olds can be a help to you as far as studying.

[monkeybug]

But, like the OP said, I am frequently surprised by the lack of knowledge of a nurses role that many pre-nursing students have. Just a few weeks ago I was talking to my A&P classmates about nursing, and the general consensus was that they would NEVER be a CNA or do the things a CNA has to do, they just want to walk around casually drinking coffee and charting while making "big bucks"....boy are they in for a surprise.

I am glad to have a stepmom who is a nurse and tells me how it is, plus my experience as a CNA (which was several years ago).

I cringed in horror one day at work, as I listened to a student from my former nursing school embarrass herself and everyone affiliated with the school. One of the staff nurses offered to let her do a Foley, and she explained that she didn't need to know how to do one, because she was going to be a manager.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

Thanks everyone.

I just want to point out when I say that my CNA experience should count, I don't mean because I know how to wipe bums or do ADLS. I mean because I work in a hospital, I see the patient loads the nurses have, I watch them talk to doctors and I see what all goes on. No, I have no idea what its like to be in their shoes but I see what I see and I still want to do it. That's what I mean.

I feel like a lot of students (no, not everyone and probably not the people who post on AN) don't know what they're getting into. Don't have a passion for it and have a totally different view of how it will be. I feel like a good number of nursing students are horrified when they get out of school and join the "real world". Does that make sense?

I do think CNA experience is valuable, but that is another topic all together.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

But, like the OP said, I am frequently surprised by the lack of knowledge of a nurses role that many pre-nursing students have. Just a few weeks ago I was talking to my A&P classmates about nursing, and the general consensus was that they would NEVER be a CNA or do the things a CNA has to do, they just want to walk around casually drinking coffee and charting while making "big bucks"....boy are they in for a surprise.

I am glad to have a stepmom who is a nurse and tells me how it is, plus my experience as a CNA (which was several years ago).

Thats kind of what I mean. I hate that students with that mentality are accepted before me. Im totally jumping the gun here because I haven't even applied yet, I just added up my points and I know I don't have many, LOL.

I would be a CNA forever if my body would hold out and I made OK money. I love it, truly.

I know its petty of me, but it irks me, LOL.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

A guidance counselor once explained to me that the sciences GPA was used for admissions because it was a good predictor of whether or not someone would make it though the program. Getting accepted into a program is actually the easy part ...although it may not seem that way now.

And while you may be a great CNA, there is a huge difference between a CNA and an RN. CNA tasks are covered in the first few weeks of school and then things move along very quickly. It's good to have confidence in yourself, but try not to let it become arrogance. You probably don't know anywhere near as much as you think you know. You'll learn, though!

I went to school in my 30's after getting pretty close to rock bottom. I lived in a dumpy place in an unsafe neighborhood, got my electricity and water turned off regularly because I couldn't pay the bills, and had to walk or ride the bus everywhere I went- including school. I made it into a competitive entry program, though ...and I am very proud of that fact.

I had classmates who were young and beautiful and had the best of everything. I was (and still am) very happy for them. Hopefully, they will never have to struggle the way I did because they made better choices than I did ...and might have even been a tiny bit luckier than I was, too!

Thank you for your words. I know its going to be hard, and I know I am going to need help. I'll get tutors if I have to. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, I just want it that bad, ya know?

I too am in my 30's and I wouldn't say I'm rock bottom because I'm not but ends barely meet. In a way I think that is almost good though. We've never had money, so we wont notice much of a difference when I cut my hours for nursing school.

I just think although it will be incredibly hard, I'll still enjoy it and I think some things such as clinical s will come easier for me due to my CNA history.

You made some valid points though. It's so hard communicating over the internet with out mannerisms and tones of voice.

[ScarletCeylonRN]

I cant write anything without it coming across and too mean. I am the exact person you describe as your competition. So yeah. Not getting into this one.

As was I!

I will just say that you need to be careful with this line of thought. In nursing school and out in the field you're going to encounter people from a wide variety of backgrounds, so you will need to be careful with how you treat your coworkers-- young and inexperienced or otherwise. Try to steer away from pegging your difficulties on the students that you feel are less deserving and focus your efforts on bolstering your own strength as a candidate.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

I cant write anything without it coming across and too mean. I am the exact person you describe as your competition. So yeah. Not getting into this one.

LOL Not trying to offend. Just venting.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

I understand what you're saying, and I don't disagree. However, as one of those girls who started college right out of high school, lives off of her parents' income, and has zero healthcare experience, I am thankful that nursing school ​doesn't consider the things you mentioned. I feel like I'm not taken seriously in most situations because I'm young and inexperienced. I know I don't have as much life experience and common sense a you, and I definitely don't deserve this opportunity as much as you do. But, I just want a chance, one chance to prove myself. We can probably both agree on that.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am not knocking you or anyone else that doesn't have to work or lives at home.

I had that option once, too. I didn't know what I wanted to do then and chose nothing. I don't regret it because it wasn't for a few years later that I found out I was good at being a caregiver.

I simply think that you're high GPA is worth just as much as my not so high GPA and my experience, especially since I readily admit I will need help in the program. I'm not ashamed to admit that and I don't' think that I'll be any worse off as a Nurse because of it, you know??

And I get it, I guess whats a 4.0 good for if it doesn't get you to the top of the list....I understand that view point too.

That's all. Not trying to knock anyone......really. Good for you and I hope you breeze through school and have a wonderful career ahead of you.

G

[ComeTogether, LPN]

As was I!

I will just say that you need to be careful with this line of thought. In nursing school and out in the field you're going to encounter people from a wide variety of backgrounds, so you will need to be careful with how you treat your coworkers-- young and inexperienced or otherwise. Try to steer away from pegging your difficulties on the students that you feel are less deserving and focus your efforts on bolstering your own strength as a candidate.

I absolutely don't think anyone is less-deserving than me. Wow, this is totally going in the wrong direction.......

[Future Nurse T]

Hello, its great that you have a great interest in nursing and have worked as a CNA for many years which would put you in a great advantage when you are in the nursing program. However, it is important to have good grades to get in the program and stay in the program. Many nursing schools tell incoming nursing students not to work at all or work part-time to be able to focus on their studies since nursing is very challenging and takes abundant of your time. I know that people have responsibilities and need to work but if that's what we need to do while we are in school then that's what we need to do. I worked while I was in school and graduated from an RN program. It was very difficult but I wanted to prove to myself that I can do it and this is what I really want. Don't worry about others and if they don't work or that you think they have no common sense. Worry about what you need to do to succeed and better yourself. Don't lose hope and keep working hard and I'm sure that you will do great things and accomplish all your goals.

[Morganalefey]

"THIS is my competition?!?!"

You will think that IN the nursing program, too.

"And there's me, with the above experience but not the greatest GPA because my Husband and full time Job require so much from me that my studies have suffered, But I am absolutely sure of what I want to do and I am really good at what I currently do. "

This statement bothers me. Instead of taking responsibility for your GPA, you blame your life circumstances. Sorry, but I don't buy that. I went to nursing school at 28, w/a husband, a 4y/o, a 2y/o and a 4mos old. There were days I was up all night w/a sick baby. And I had a 4.0GPA. It can be done. Blaming your life circumstances for your GPA is just going to make you resentful towards those who are in a different situation. You don't deserve it any more then any one else b/c you're older and have more responsibilities.