What would your requirements be for Nursing School?

cad4296 · Oct 23, 2006

Hmm, this is tricky. From a school standpoint I would definately want people who would succeed in the program. But I don't necessarily believe that can be acheived just by looking at GPA. I think I would require a variety of things so I could get a better picture of the individual as a whole. Who's to say a B student wouldn't make a GREAT nurse, but with today's requirements its almost impossible for a B student to even get a chance to get in. I think personal interviews would be a great indicator (but obviously not practical with so many applicants.) I think I would consider all applicants between 3.0-4.0 GPA's, definately require a personal essay, look at other obligations while in school (family, job, etc. could that B student been a A student if they didn't have so many other obligations?) I would definately want someone with the whole package, alot of desire and will to succeed.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 23, 2006

Lets see...in the traumarus university school of nursing (named after me because I was such a great instructor - tee hee hee):

1. Personal attributes that would lead to success in nursing: compassion, enough life experience to be able to think outside the box and intelligence.

2. GPA that shows the student can handle the work.

3. Some type of volunteer experience - because this would show a committment to caring.

4. Recommendations from three adults who have known the prospective student in a different light - say like a minister, teacher and neighbor.

5. A statement that shows the maturity and basic English skills that will be needed in order to chart a complete sentence that makes sense.

RGN1 · Oct 23, 2006

A bladder scan to check if their bladder has the capacity to go for long hours without needing emptying.

A drink & food deprivation test to make sure they can also go for long hours without either.

An obnoxious character role play test to see just how far they can be pushed before snapping.

A sense of humour test!

I'm sure there's more but I'll leave that to someone else!

Trauma Columnist · Oct 23, 2006

RGN1 - sense of humor test - lol! So very needed though.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 23, 2006

1. I would definitely look for signs of above-average intelligence and sophisticated mental skills. Nursing requires the ability to make complex decisions involving lots of information in changing, often less than ideal, conditions. The ability to analyze, reason, commuicate verbally and in writing, and make good choices is paramount. I would look at GPA, stanardized test scores, etc. along with evidence of strong reasoning skills in the interview and/or essay portions.

2. Success getting along with people. I would look for evidence of social success -- participation in clubs, leadership roles, etc.

3. Success in "professional" activities -- which for a younger applicant, would include success in school. I would look for people who had faced challenges and overcome them and/or had demonstrated higher achievement in their schoolwork and/or extra-cirruicular activites than their peers. It takes the same kind of effort and dedication to succeed as a nurse as it does to be a great athlete or musician or whatever.

4. I would look for evidence of self-awareness. Successful people are aware of their own strengths, weaknesses, preferences, habits, etc. Without an awareness of ourselves and "where we are now," we don't have a starting upon which to build.

5. I would also look for confidence, determination, self-direction, and the willingness to work hard and to make personal sacrifices -- because those qualities are necessary for success in any field.

That's about it. By the way, I run a student nurse extern program for my hospital and that receives 3 times as many applications as we can accept. These are the qualities we look for when making our extern selections. We have a point system and score their application packets that include transcripts, interviews, resumes, recommendations, and essays. We have great success with our extern program and are rarely disappointed in our externs' performance. However, we find that those who score less points on these criteria are indeed more likely to be less impressive in their performance as an extern. Our criteria work well for identifying the "star performers on the job."

llg

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 23, 2006

I like some of the suggestions brought up here. However, most of you are focusing on the "Who will make a good nurse?" scenario as an admissions criteria. To be honest, I think most schools can care less before admissions who will make a good nurse.

Most schools I think are trying to admit people who are going to make good Nursing Students. The reason being, during the program the school assumes that it can weed out the bad future nurses. On the other hand, good nursing students are a prize because the student will assist in making the program look good. In other words, admissions into nursing school is not about making dreams come true. It is about improving or continuing to develop successful nursing programs. :twocents:

In fact, according to my counselor admissions and retention is " all about the program." He gave me an example, where passing students were asked to leave because instructors did not have a good feeling about them as a future nurse. He said that was the official assessment. In reality, the students were not making the program look good.

In addition, based on the criteria of my school, I know a few students who received acceptance this Fall and were STRUGGLING to get through science courses prior to being accepted. Now, as student nurses they are struggling to get through the first semester.

My school admitted them over others (including me) because they had more classes done. Thus improving chances of giving more time to studies within the program, unlike the rest of us who had a slew of co-reqs to complete.

Will the struggling students graduate? I'm not sure. I hope so. However, if they don't I will not think the school made a mistake admitting them over me for the Fall because I have accepted the point of view of my counselor; "its all about the program."

This is is why I have done everything in my power last Spring and this Summer to finish my non-nursing courses and complete them with As. I wanted to show the admissions committee that I will make a good Student Nurse, so accept me! Once I start clinicals I want to show my instructors that I will make a good Registered Nurse, so pass me!

EmerNurse, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2006

I have to take exception to the part about volunteer or extra-curricular activities showing dedication and compassion (or whatever). I did my pre-req's in one year, full time, while working fa very stressful full-time job and with a hubby and 4 kids at home (including 2 teenages with all their attendant angst).

I promise you there wasn't a moment free to volunteer however much I'd have liked to. I got into nursing school because at THAT time, the school was piloting a new admission set up where you had to pass the NET and the TABE and THEN your GPA was taken into account. I had an A average on my pre-req's and did well on the NET and TABE, so I got in right on schedule.

The next year the school went back to the old way, first applications received, first in, as long as you had a C-average up to that point. I'd probably STILL be on a waiting list - the list is very long now.

I still say God wanted me to be a nurse LOL - He set is up just right for me. Now to live up to the expectation!

EmerNurse, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2006

oops dupe post

Cherish · Oct 23, 2006

I think I would require volunteer time (it was REQUIRED for high school graduation and really was a great experience) or at least 3 days worth of following a nurse and finding out what they do daily. That way they can get a glance at what being a nurse is about instead of the shock you get in nursing school for the non-medical applicants. Definately essay and interview for all applicants and of course a test. Last would be pre-req. completion and gpa (3.0-4.0). I would want a diverse student body, young/old, black/white, male/female, christian/jew, american/international.

MB37 · Oct 23, 2006

As opposed to looking at work experience, volunteer/community involvement, and family obligations as separate criteria, I would evaluate them as one. I think time management skills are a very important predictor of success. Whether you're straight out of high school but worked close to full time while doing prereqs, or were heavily active in student government or sports or music or whatever; or if you were raising a family and juggling young children while trying to study - that should all help predict success in nursing school.

Also, my old school did this as part of their interview, and especially since everyone has spellcheck and grammar check I think it's smart: we had to handwrite a spontaneous essay on "the future of professional nursing." I think they gave 10 minutes, it could have been five. They said content wasn't important, but they wanted to make sure that you could spell, that your handwriting was at least halfway legible, that you could compose a sentence, and that your vocabulary included words with multiple syllables. Those should all be prerequisites for nursing school.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2006

1. All the prerequisites would have to be finished.

Anatomy/Physiology 1&2

Microbiology

Chemistry

Biology

Sociology

Psychology

Speech

English Composition

Math

A grade of B must be obtained in each couse. C's not accepted.

These tough courses would ensure that any applicant who can get thru them would be able to get thru nursing school. Also, after having to take these courses then it would not be necessary to have an entrance exam.

Mine would be first come first serve

And then a few exceptions.

Preference would be given to those over 40 because they don't have as much time to wait. LOL

A number of seats would be reserved for those straight A students. I don't know, like maybe ten seats in the program? Depends on how many the program can accomodate.

This way everyone gets in. Some get in sooner like the older students and the straight A's on the prereqs

No lottery. That is so unfair. No entrance exam. No interviews or essays because who has the time?

If this program were in my area it would be fair because there are so many different types of programs with many different requirements and all have very long wait lists. (three years now) This one would ensure that a few could get in sooner.

I think diversity of programs in one area is the key.

Hehehe ok can't wait to see what you all think of my requirements.