SLCC changes admission standards, eliminates wait list, Aug 2011,

everwonder_y · Oct 11, 2011

Hi, I was accepted to SLCC's nursing program for Fall 2016. I think I may have been among the last round of applications to get accepted onto the waiting list (I applied May 2011).

Honestly, the wait list was getting ridiculous and inefficient, IMO. High attrition and after MATC's LPN program got NLNAC accreditation last March (I believe?), many students were bypassing SLCC's waitlist (as allowed) through the LPN advanced admission option.

Anyway, I received a letter from SLCC, informing me they would be changing Health Science Admissions and wouldn't be accepting new applications until further notice, but Not to worry that they still would be honoring all prior waitlisted acceptance agreements (2016, Baby! LOL). However, first they needed me to reply indicating whether I still wanted to be on the list or not. Then they will redo the list based on the responses (and previous priority, I assume) and post a new list in March 2012. We were advised that we were welcome to apply under the new criteria (whenever they open admissions again), which may provide opportunity for an earlier start date.

Half of all new seats will go to those already on the list (in the order posted March 2012) and the other half to new applicants applying under the new criteria.

This was my understanding. Not sure how LPN advanced placement admissions will fair under the new system.

kdrm · Oct 11, 2011

i absolutely agree that the wait list was ridiculous and inefficient, and i anticipate that for those of us with the grades to compete, this change will be great!

in the past, people on the wait list were assured of an earlier start because other students dropped off for various reasons. with the changes, once the list is stabilized, you won’t be able to move up unless you compete under the new criteria. does that upset you at all? some at the evening information session who were already on the waiting list seemed pretty irate that while officially they had been told 201x, everyone knew the list moved faster, and now that wouldn’t happen.

also, at the evening information session, the woman from the nursing department said there would potentially only be a few slots per semester available for the competitive applicants until they worked through the finalized wait list. did the information you received say “half?” that would be welcome news!

everwonder_y · Oct 11, 2011

Oh, wanted to add, I don't think they will specifically require CNA work experience, opposed to other healthcare work experience, CNA's are called different things all around the valley. I think they will use a more broad term like direct patient care work experience.

It is my opinion, that SLCC will likely adopt a point system in order to narrow down applicants. Maybe similar to MATC's, for example:

1. Required Prerequisite Courses GPA:_____ 5-11 _____

A= 4.00 A- = 3.67 B+ - 3.33 B- = 2.67 C = Unaccepted

2. Support Courses Completed 0-14 _____

2 points for each course completed with C+ or higher

3. Prior Degree 0-5 _____

Bachelors Degree +3; Associates Degree +2; CNA Certification +1

4. References 0-9 _____

3 points each for highly recommended

5. Writing Sample 0-10 _____

6. Previous Qualified Applicant +2 0-2 _____

7. 6 months + of direct patient health care experience 0-2 _____

8. Resident of Utah, Wasatch or Summit County 0-2 _____

Total: Possible Points = 55 _____

http://www.mlatc.edu/wp-content/uploads/PN_Application-Packet-2011-12.pdf

This type of point system is similar to other Community College Nursing Admission criteria I've seen around the country.

I keep bringing up MATC's LPN program, as their pre-req's are UVU's and SLCC's, so that after passing the NCLEX-PN students are ready for advanced admission into SLCC's or UVU's RN program. IIRC, UVU's program might have some kind of special agreement with MATC, as well?

Anyway, this is all speculation on my part. Guess, we'll know on November 1!

I plan to try for the UofU in January and/or reapply to SLCC's program depending on where I fall on the list in March 2012.

everwonder_y · Oct 11, 2011

i absolutely agree that the wait list was ridiculous and inefficient, and i anticipate that for those of us with the grades to compete, this change will be great!
in the past, people on the wait list were assured of an earlier start because other students dropped off for various reasons. with the changes, once the list is stabilized, you won’t be able to move up unless you compete under the new criteria. does that upset you at all? some at the evening information session who were already on the waiting list seemed pretty irate that while officially they had been told 201x, everyone knew the list moved faster, and now that wouldn’t happen.
also, at the evening information session, the woman from the nursing department said there would potentially only be a few slots per semester available for the competitive applicants until they worked through the finalized wait list. did the information you received say “half?” that would be welcome news!

crap, i can't remember where i got that "half" from? i will check my letter again, i didn't attend the info session as i had already given up on slcc and have been aiming for the u's program, but i did meet with deron and communicate with someone from health science admissions via email, if that means anything, heh.

hmm, i think i may have got that 'half' number from slcc's nursing adviser? so unofficial speculation.

yeah, slcc's waitlist was a joke! my 2016 start date seriously made me lol. honestly, i may not have even applied to be on it, if i didn't have to in order to enroll in pathophysiology (nsg 2900). however, now with everything being up in the air i'm glad to have more options.

no, i'm not upset at all about the changes. it's ridiculous that matc's lpn program was harder to get into than slcc's rn program. i'm hoping a more competitive admissions process will work in my favor, if the u doesn't pan out for me. though, slcc's program is becoming more attractive because i can work while getting my bsn, and well, it's cheaper! plus, a more competitive admissions process will esteem slcc's adn, imo.

also, i do think people will still drop of the list - even once it's stabilized. for instance, if i get accepted to the u, i will drop off. i know some others on the list that are hoping to get accepted through ihc, iasis and the u's community partnership programs and if they get in that way, will drop off the list. are you saying those seats will go to new applicants over the those on the waitlist? good question. hmm, i guess we'll have to see how the 'combination of new students' is maintained. not everyone on the wait list is a slouch, striving for c+'s, either, by the way.

anyway, nice to see some action in utah's nursing program discussion :). it's been dead on here!

kdrm · Oct 12, 2011

At the info session I attended, they reiterated that once the wait list is finalized, no one on it will move up automatically as seats become available. Those seats will go to applicants in the competitive application process. Students on the wait list who want to start earlier can compete under the new criteria, which won't be announced for 20 more days. Some people there who were already on the waiting list and had always been told they would move up as people dropped off were really upset. Several of us hung around after and spoke directly with the woman who I think is the head of the nursing department. She emphasized that she would like to see the competitive app process include entrance testing, gpa in nursing prereqs only and CNA experience. All five of us standing there had healthcare experience and specifically stated our situation, and she insisted that she would like to see CNA experience. Whether that ultimately gets included in the new criteria, well, who knows. I know some programs do require it, but it's hard to justify working for $8/hour if you're already working in healthcare for much more!

I'm retaking A and P next semester. I had A's in both, but it's been twelve years since I took them. Some schools require that you've had them in the last 5 or 7 years and that also came up at the information session. The dental hygience program has that requirement (5 years) and it's always been surprising to me that the nursing program didn't. I'm also really curious if they will add patho as a prerequisite.

While I hope to get my BSN thru UofU's online RN to BSN program, I want the RN as quickly as possible. And I don't have micro and biochem done yet for the U. I'll apply for SLCC fall 2012 but I may also apply for UVU. It's 42 miles from my house but, if SLCC only has five slots for non-wait list applicants, it will be ultracompetitive.

kdrm · Oct 12, 2011

Also I asked why they were changing (not that I think it's a bad idea). I asked if it was at all coming from the accrediting agencies for each program and Judy Scott said there is political pressure because of the ridiculously long wait list. Students (and parents) have contacted their legislators and now we're seeing results. Overall I think this is a great change. I know that there are people on the wait list with less competitive grades, but I imagine there are more who just can't afford the U's program or need to work or need to get in and finish without all the prereqs for a BSN. (I had peeked at some of your other posts too and I knew you had the GPA for the U. Good luck BTW. When do you find out?)

I actually think the dreadful waiting list was penalizing more people than it was helping.

everwonder_y · Oct 14, 2011

Thanks, the U's BSN admissions applications are open now and close Jan 15, 2012, so I think I'll know by March 2012.

Interesting about the waitlist drop-off seats going to new applicants. Other's I talked to on the waitlist, were under the impression that the new system would cause the waitlist to move faster (people getting in other programs and people applying and getting accepted under the new criteria); so they expected earlier start dates. Though, none of us attended the info sessions, so who knows where that impression came from.

I agree the waitlist was penalizing people more than it was helping and I'm sure organizing start dates was becoming quite a fiasco. In my pathophysiology class, I overheard someone saying they were an alternate last year, but then got pregnant so we're deferred until such and such time. So, I'm glad they're doing a way with deferrals, too. Catering start dates to individuals personal life events would be horribly inefficient, IMO. When you apply you better be ready to start!

As for pathophysiology being a prereq to get in? Hmm, I don't know. It is sort of already a prerequisite before starting SLCC's program (though it can also be taken during the program) and I know community partnership programs (IHC's, at least) award extra points to applicants who have taken patho. However, it is taught by the nursing department and under their format/rules, so I don't think they will let just any student enroll, they want you to be nursing.

Also, in my letter it states that in 2013 start dates will begin to include a combination of new applicants admitted under the new criteria and waitlist students. However, who knows, until Novemeber 1.

I agree that direct patient care experience should be part of the criteria. Speaking for myself, I got some certifications done this summer in order to gain experience; while I was totally confident academically, passing off practical skills on a real live person is completely different. I've heard (and also read here on AN), that some people have the book smarts but when it comes to practicing clinical skills or real people become overwhelmed. Many experienced RN's say that nursing school doesn't offer the same clinical experience that it use to. Plus, the job market sucks! If you graduate without healthcare experience, it's very tough to get a job.

kdrm · Oct 17, 2011

Fifteen more days until SLCC finally announces the admission criteria. Based on an email exchange with ...., the nursing advisor, I truly don't think any classes will be added as prerequisites.

And while Judy Scott insisted that she wanted to see CNA experience, I think the final decision is likely to be direct patient care experience also. Many of us have plenty of that without having the CNA license

I see what you mean about it being dead on here! I'm surprised there's not more activity here for Utah nursing students and nurses. Maybe more readers and not too many people jumping in to comment...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for the U. Is it the only application you have pending right now? Have you considered UVU at all if the U doesn't pan out, or is it just too far down there to drive every day?

everwonder_y · Oct 21, 2011

Aw, thanks. I do really have my heart set on the U, but I know their BSN program is super, super competitive so I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. :)

No, I haven't really considered UVU's program, the drive is certainly a factor and all my prereq's are more tailored to SLCC's and the UofU's program. What about you? What's your top choice?

So, when you say more prereq's won't be required, do you mean the ones previously required to get on SLCC's waitlist, or the support courses that were required to be completed before starting the program (IE Psychology, Nutrition, English)?

ETA

I agree there is likely more readers than posters in this section. I think it was more active a few years ago, but as things got more competitive in the past couple of years, people were less likely to share info. Or maybe the SLC area can be kind of 'small town' (compared to other urban demographics), so there could be concern about anonymity in posting?

kdrm · Oct 21, 2011

This is copied straight from an reply I received from nursing advisor last week.

"The only thing I can say with certainty is that the prerequisites of the past will remain the prerequisites of the future as well. Beyond that there really aren’t any updates or anything more I could share at this time."

I guess it could be interpreted either way.

While the U's program is my top choice to complete my BSN, I want to get my RN as quickly as possible. I left a career with the postal service in March and am at home these days with my 3 year old daughter. I want to be working as soon as I can after she's in school. I think eventually a BSN will be mandatory and have every intention of completing it, with thoughts of an MSN also down the road. New York is making the move to BSN, if it takes. http://news.nurse.com/article/20090907/NATIONAL02/309070028

So for the ADN, I'll go wherever I can get accepted first. Yesterday, I emailed one of the pre-nursing advisors at UVU to ask about the clinicals (could they be done in the salt lake valley). Her reply was blunt "Clinicals range from Payson to SLC. You don’t get to choose." I had to look up Payson. It's way below Provo. Could I do that for a couple years? Yes. Would I rather do SLCC's program without the drive? Absolutely.

Do you know if one program is better than the other? I've met graduates from both, and everyone seems to like program they went through. Nclex pass rates are similar.

I will even consider Roseman's program if I can get some help paying for school. Our goal is for us to get through this with no loans and in the shortest time possible.

kdrm · Oct 25, 2011

One week to go...