Why don't programs take into consideration anything else?

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I applied for an LPN program for fall 2010. I found out today that the reason why I didn't get in was because I was lacking a biology class that others in the program took. For admissions, you do not NEED to take the bio course to get in. It was being held against me because others already in the program took it. I know I should just let it go and try again next year but I'm extremely upset over it. I've been exposed to so many things. My mom works in a hospital. I spent every summer rounding with nurses and seeing what they do. I've been in surgeries, went to med/surg roundings, did outstanding in all of my science courses, had real first hand experience. I don't think it's fair that just because they have one science class (which is not a necessary requirement) that they get in and I don't. I know for a fact that over half of the people in the program has not experienced what I have. Should I just give up now?

Go take the class this LPN program clearly wants. Also, go take a CNA course. Many are offered through a local community college and take a semester to complete. After you are certified you can work as a CNA until you are accepted to the LPN program. This will give you a chance to make some money and get some experience in your related field.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

They have to break ties for admission somehow and that is obviously done by those who have higher education on paper than you do. 'Tis the way of the world. They don't require it, but do utilize it if it comes down to weeding out which students to choose. If there weren't so many applicants they would not even care.

I am so sorry. Consider yourself a little older and wiser. Keep going!

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At least in your case it was only one course. I was told by the admissions office that they had an unofficial DEGREE requirement. Almost everyone accepted had a bachelor's. Of course they website's list of pre-req's said nothing about this. -_-

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Wow!! Im just upset that even though I am missing a course they think I'm under qualified. I have seen EVERYTHING there is. I can stomach all of it. I have helped in under served clinics in Harlem. It's just unfair in my opinion.

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

you have a year, you should take extra classes. human biology, a&p, etc, are demanding for some, so taking them soon will be beneficial.

take classes and prepare for school for next year.

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

it is fair. there is a correlation between being able to understand and learn human anatomy and physiology, and being successful in nursing school. nursing school requires that you understand that basic knowledge.

trust me, it is not about what you have seen, but your actual education. you can 'see' a lot without completely understanding what is happening and why, so they do not take what you have seen into consideration.

if you want to be a nurse bad enough, then keep moving forward and take classes.

if it is worth it to you, then it is worth the effort.

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I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining. I worked in Africa as a nurse there for a semester because they had no one and we had to step in and learn things as they were happening, qualified or not. I'm just trying to say that I think programs should consider real life experiences. I have done all of the basic skills necessary but don't have "credits". For example, in Africa I did catheters, IV's, wound cleaning, and basic bedside care.

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Unfortunately real world experience doesn't mean a whole lot in the academic world. I have never seen a program that took experience and used it as a criteria. One of the RN programs in my area has very few requirements but it is common knowledge that you need to have taken both A&P classes, all the basic classes, and have nearly a 4.0 GPA to even be considered due to the programs popularity. Yes it sucks, but it's just the way that academics work. I have always had a problem with the 4.0 GPA requirement because you can be really good at school but be a terrible nurse. I know a lot of people who can ace any class they are in but should not go anywhere near patients due to their lack of people skills and common sense.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Wow!! Im just upset that even though I am missing a course they think I'm under qualified. I have seen EVERYTHING there is. I can stomach all of it. I have helped in under served clinics in Harlem. It's just unfair in my opinion.

It absolutely is fair. You're apparently not listening to anything that many posters have said. It's really time to put on your big-girl panties and buckle down to prepare yourself for your next step.

You have been given many explanations and chances to understand the issue. If you will finally take them in, I imagine that this will be a very valuable life lesson. Having "seen everything" and being able to "stomach" it is not even all that relevant to being a successful nursing school applicant. I would even venture to guess that without the lessons learned in this tiny setback on your road to becoming a nurse, you might easily have been one of those students who "know" everything and compete with the instructors to show what you know. Every nursing school has those of students. Do your best not to be one.

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

you mentioned that you were a "nurse" in africa... if you have never been through a nursing school program, or taken state/country tests for a licensed nurse, then you were acting as an unlicensed assistive person.

the term nurse implies very specific educational requirements, as well as other things. in the us, in most states, it is a legally protected title and cannot be used unless you pass state boards.

in actual nursing school, the basics are only the basics, there is much much more that you will be exposed to. assesment, etc...

take human biology, and find out what else you can do in the meantime.

become a cna and get some additional experience

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I'm not trying to sound like that. The point of my post was that nursing schools should consider GPA plus real life experience. This is supposed to be a nursing community. No mean or judgmental comments are necessary or helpful.

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A pre-requisite course provides a base line for all students so that they can interact with the same set of skills in a professional medical situation. You can't talk your way out of a bio class. If you are, then possibly there is a fear of it or you are being lazy. Biology is not something you are going to "pick up" in the field. Yes, you might have the lingo down and are already working in the field which will be a huge advantage once you are done with proper schooling. Thank goodness there are baselines and pre-req's or many people would be in these professions because they "know" someone. I want my nurse to be very knowledgeable when caring for me or my loved ones.

I will admit I felt the same way. (I know my post is a bit harsh) I have been a massage therapist and yoga teacher for 10 years and have studied anatomy and physiology in detail, so I thought....... I am now done with my biology courses and it has changed my practice in massage and yoga teaching. The bonus was these courses were easy for me as I was very familiar with the body. Even microbiology changed my life. (a bit of a germ freak now)

So- don't give up. You are only at the beginning of a goal.

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