In other words, "diploma mills." Of course, it's all for profit. I'm from the state of California, I just came to realize that there were private schools that accept anyone who is able to pay tuition regardless of grades. I also came to notice that the majority of community colleges have a waiting list indoctrinated into their admissions. As long as you maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, isn't the waiting list a major flaw for being admitted? Then, obtaining good grades and work ethic wouldn't be essential at all. A student could simply just half ass their way through the courses and still get in
I'm all for the point systems, but it seems that admittance to nursing schools are so easy nowadays as long as your in the right circumstance and situation. Trust me, I have seen some dumbass nursing students who are unable to multiply and it freaks me out. Some of them are unable to recall the basic characteristics of a cell!!!
It's easy to go down the stereotype road, isn't it?
There are "brilliant 4.0 GN nurses" with personalities of an ice cube, and probably just as many who have great personalities and a wonderful outlook on life. There are also C average nurses who are horrible people with personalities of a slug. The GPA of a GN tells you nothing about who that person is as a whole.
I had a 4.0 GPA from a BSN program. I never have considered myself "brilliant." I do have a good sense of humor, though, and not a bad personality myself, lol. The fact is I am good at taking tests, memorizing facts, and putting the pieces together-all things that tend to lead to good grades. The GPA helped me get into a great internship (didn't have any inside contacts, unfortunately), but after I got through the door, I had to struggle just like anyone else. I never asked anyone about their credentials nor volunteered anything about my own because it pretty much becomes irrelevant once you get into the trenches. I always knew full well that there were probably some brilliant people graduating with less than stellar grades because they were working long hours in addition to going to school, raising families, etc., which can certainly impact the time one has to devote to studies. So there was never a need to even be curious about what someone's GPA was at school.
I agree with you that there is a bit of a "divide" in the nursing profession. I personally see it more as a RN vs. LPN or BSN vs. ADN bias. And that's too bad, because I don't think the reality justifies the bias. I've known some great nurses in my career, and to be honest, I couldn't tell you which ones had the BSN or the ADN unless they were in jobs that are noted for having advanced education requirements. And the nurse to whom EVERYONE went at one time or another for help and advice was a very experienced LPN.
It's too bad we can't just all get along.
Read the whole context of my post instead of focusing on one sentence. The post I was quoting was referring that brilliant 4.0s couldn't get a job but the "dummy" nurses could because of who they know and their glowing personalities. I'm in no way saying ALL 4.0 nurses are only book smart, or even MOST of them. There are nurses of all the spectrums, i dont have to go into it because you know what im talking about.
I think the magnet status really has a tendency to divide nurses with the BSN vs ADN thing. Those hospitals tend to prefer BSNs. One hospital here in our area just did away with LPNs if I'm not mistaken. It's pretty sad actually, because as far as hands on skills go, I actually think all the LPNs I've worked with are more knowledgeable and have helped me out more when I was on the floor for the first time as an RN.
I received an externship between my first and second year of nursing school. I in no way had the best GPA. In fact, I don't even think I had a 3.0 GPA by the time I applied for it that year. However, I have great interview skills, and I'm confident that's what pulled me through. I didn't know anyone. It's just like you. Everyone has to rely on their strengths. If your strength is having a high GPA, awesome. If your strength is interviewing and making great first impressions, that's good too.
No one should be viewed down on for playing up their strength. In this market and economy, you take what you can get, HOW you can get it.
jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN
333 Posts
Read the whole context of my post instead of focusing on one sentence. The post I was quoting was referring that brilliant 4.0s couldn't get a job but the "dummy" nurses could because of who they know and their glowing personalities. I'm in no way saying ALL 4.0 nurses are only book smart, or even MOST of them. There are nurses of all the spectrums, i dont have to go into it because you know what im talking about.
I think the magnet status really has a tendency to divide nurses with the BSN vs ADN thing. Those hospitals tend to prefer BSNs. One hospital here in our area just did away with LPNs if I'm not mistaken. It's pretty sad actually, because as far as hands on skills go, I actually think all the LPNs I've worked with are more knowledgeable and have helped me out more when I was on the floor for the first time as an RN.
I received an externship between my first and second year of nursing school. I in no way had the best GPA. In fact, I don't even think I had a 3.0 GPA by the time I applied for it that year. However, I have great interview skills, and I'm confident that's what pulled me through. I didn't know anyone. It's just like you. Everyone has to rely on their strengths. If your strength is having a high GPA, awesome. If your strength is interviewing and making great first impressions, that's good too.
No one should be viewed down on for playing up their strength. In this market and economy, you take what you can get, HOW you can get it.