2-4 year waiting list?!?

hospitalstaph · Dec 14, 2004

I think it is fair to say as long as the admission criteria is met there will be no alternate selection based on gpa. You can be a great nurse with a 2.5 or a 4.0.
I think more emphasis should be placed on people skill, prior work experience. Just because someone aced high school doesn't mean they're entitled to the first available seat in nursing school.
I always think the waitlist is a selection tool. Those that really want it hang in.

I would agree that GPS should not be the only determining factor. But I am not "acing high school" I am acing my prerequesites. If GPA is not a factor then what is? All of the BSN programs in our area strongly consider GPA. I would certainly agree that someone with a 2.5 may make a wonderful nurse. But to level the playing field this much? If I do not get an A on a test doesn't that show that I did not learn atleast some of the information? Also how would we test for people skill? Isn't that subjective? And prior work experience? I would hate to see high school grads be excluded just because they have no previous work experience.

I would 100% agree that the school should be allowed some lattitude to admit a student that has been on the waitlist (and continuing to show extreme interest) over someone with a slightly higher GPA who thinks they *might* want to be a nurse. Nurses should have some qualities that are not easily tested for and not always tied to their GPA but what are the grades for anyway if they don't matter?

Warmly,

Tracy:)

yeepers · Dec 15, 2004

I'm really surprised to hear that there are programs out there that have admissions not based on some sort of competitive process. All the colleges in my area have a competitive admissions process. The one I go to has a points system that is based on grades obtained in the prerequisite courses. Since everyone has to fulfill the same requirements everyone is the same boat that way but in order to be competitive you have to make good grades. Whether right or wrong this way ensures that you're getting the students into clinicals who have the best chance of succeeding.

It appears that no matter where you go, at the community college level at least, the waiting list is endless. At the university level admissions are competitive so it's taken care of at the front end. The only thing there is that since more and more people are applying the minimum GPA being required is getting higher and higher. Ahh, what the heck...it's the same no matter where you go (assuming a competitive admissions process). Bottom line is that if you do well you will get in.

I started taking prerequisite courses in January of this year and will be starting clinicals in January '05 so I think the system does work. A word to the wise....don't put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to as many programs as you can and think you may be happy getting into. You can never have too many backup plans.

Anyhow, best of luck to you all! It's a long road for all of us.

Achoo!, LPN · Dec 15, 2004

We got our numbers after they had picked their 30 to start in January , and I was #79. I just found out that yesterday they called a girl to start in Jan and her # was 30!! Alot of people dropped, changed goals, or went to different schools. If that is the case, then I have a fairly good chance of starting next year. * crosses fingers and toes*:)

trendz80 · Dec 16, 2004

Hi,

I know alot of people hate the word student loans but can you take out a student loan to go to a private college near you. I am from New York City and all of the City Schools have that same number of years being on the waiting list because it is sooo much cheaper to go there than to go to a private college. I did not apply to a city school at all ADN or BSN program. I applied to all private schools. I just got accepted to New York Institute of Technology. I am also waiting for 3 more colleges to either accept or reject me. I already got rejected from New York University and Long Island University. So I already spoke to the financial aid office since I don't have any more financial aid because I have a bachelors degree already in another field, I have to take out loans. I was told here, that I have $46,000 to complete my undergraduate degree. I only need two years of that which will be $16,000. I rather take out the loans now and pay over a 10 year span than wait two years. You could be a nurse by then. I would be really upset also. My husband took out a loan for his technical school and it was a total of $18,000 when he finished. His payment is $125 a month. I figured I will do the same. To me, it does not matter where you get your degree from as long as it is an accredited school and I get the degree. I wish you very much luck in whatever you decide. If you can, apply to a private school and pay later...:)

rant/
I JUST found out that the wait list for the ADN program at our local community college is TWO AND A HALF YEARS!!!
:angryfire
I am almost 26. So, waiting 2 1/2 years plus the school takes me to 31 years old when I finish!!!
I am so sad and mad right now.....I can't believe that we don't have enough programs for this shortage! This is AMERICA for crying out loud!
/rant
I have to see what else is out there. Do you guys think it's just the Associates Degree programs that have a long waiting list, or is it the Bachelors Degree programs also??
I am in Michigan, by the way.

tofutti · Apr 8, 2006

I was flipping through some national nursing journal in a community college library a year or two ago, and it said studies show a strong correlation between g.p.a. in the science prerequisites, and success in nursing school.

Ironically I read this standing in a school that goes by lottery, yes lottery! You have to take like 4 or 5 classes and have a 2.5 gpa (and a warm body, I presume) and if they draw your number, you're in!

They say it's to offer opportunity to non-privileged students, minorities etc. and that c students can make good nurses. But I had some of those students in my classes, the ones with the mentality "all I have to do is get a c and pass", and none of them were the kind of folks I'd want for my nurse! :uhoh21:

I found a smaller, nicer community college nearby that only takes 40 students and has a nice new health career building and gives points for gpa and how many prereq's are done. I'm pretty sure I'll get in there but the bummer is, I won't find out til the end of May. So I'm in the same boat with y'all, I've been at this since January 2003!

Good luck to everyone...Tofutti

lisabeth · Apr 8, 2006

I just got a letter in the mail informing me that that is how long the wait is now. I haven't gotten my number yet. What to do?? I have one pre-req left to go. Should I apply to the LPN program and hope tpo bridge in to the RN program later?? I do not want surgical tech, x ray tech or another field. I want ADN. So frustrating

I dont know what the waiting period is for my school, but what I am keeping in mind is, a lot of those others arent going to wait around, so they will go somewhere else. That would be to my advantage. The other schools have a drive of at least 45 min. to an hour away, so I am really keeping my fingers crossed big time for the one I am at now.

Dont get discouraged. One way or another, it will work out, and that is what I keep in mind.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2006

This is a pretty old thread, as I believe Achoo made it in a nursing program for Spring '06. :chuckle

allthingsbright · Apr 8, 2006

I just got a letter in the mail informing me that that is how long the wait is now. I haven't gotten my number yet. What to do?? I have one pre-req left to go. Should I apply to the LPN program and hope tpo bridge in to the RN program later?? I do not want surgical tech, x ray tech or another field. I want ADN. So frustrating

Here are some ideas:

Apply to LPN like you said and then bridge (I have heard there is almost no wait at most schools for bridge programs)

Get your BSN--you might as well at the rate the waiting lists are going in this country

Apply to every school known to mankind LOL!

STINKS, doesnt it! Please dont give up...

lisabeth · Apr 8, 2006

This is a pretty old thread, as I believe Achoo made it in a nursing program for Spring '06. :chuckle

LOL, well, then someone is just now replying. I saw it and thought I would add my thoughts.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2006

LOL, well, then someone is just now replying. I saw it and thought I would add my thoughts.

Well, I'm sure someone could be in the same situation now.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2006

Yeah I've just read through all the old portions of this thread that are two years old and am wondering what happened to Achoo, Dublin, MryRose....and everyone else. Did they get in and where? Guess I could do a search of their threads.

Funny how things are still the same. I'm in So CA and every place has a two year wait list. :) People still talking about going LVN first and then bridging or taking out student loans to go to more expensive schools or BSN programs and how they go by points but no waiting, just have to have the pre-reqs

The more things change the more they stay the same huh? :)

lisabeth · Apr 10, 2006

We don't get preferential treatment either. GPA doesn't matter...neither does how many classes you've already taken. *sigh*
I've been on the list for just over a year now...got on it in early September 2003. I've got one more pre-req to take after this quarter (pharmacology) and after that...I'm just in limbo. I asked the woman who's in charge of the list (a real piece of work, lemme tell you) and she said I probably won't be starting the program until NEXT September. Grrrr. Irritates the heck out of me...but what can I do. Nothing.
So...you've got my sympathy! There's quite a few of us in the same boat!

I would think the school would be losing out on all the best nurses. No 4.0 student is going to wait when other schools would snatch them up. Unless I guess there arent any other schools around.