Student Center >> Considering Nursing >> nursing school - how do I get in???
nursing school - how do I get in???
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Posted over 3 years ago I have been in "nursing school" here locally in my town of Billings, MT now for a year, completed all my pre-requisites and applied for admission to the "nursing program". Since I am writing this post, you can correctly assume that I was not one of the lucky applicants who was selected for the fall program this year. I am 46 years old and don't want to take forever to be accepted, and here is a little background on the program here. It recently added the RN portion of the program (graduated the 1st class from the RN program this spring) so the interest in the nursing program at the college has spiked. Previous to this year, according to the DON at the college, they generally didn't even have enough students to fill all the slots (there are only 20 students admitted each semester). This semester had 55 students applying for 20 slots, next semester that number will continue to grow exponentially with more students joining the program and students like myself re-applying. The application process is fairly simple, there is an application, essay and 2 references. On the application itself, you get points for your classes and grades, I have A's and B's with a few C's (3) sprinkled in, points for a CNA license (I have), points for working as a CNA (I am), points for previous degrees (no) and points for the essay. According to the DON, I received full points for my essay. When I asked her what to do to improve my chances for next time, and also quizzed her as to why I was not accepted this time, she had no advice really. (Sad but true). She would not tell me my score for this semester's application, which kind of pisses me off, if I fail a test (for example), I think it only fair to now what the test results are. She also had no advice on improving my chances for next time...just said it was based on points alone. So, I am retaking 2 classes that I had C's in - College Algebra and Composition to increase my points there and began to work full time as a CNA instead of part time. I actually am making almost $500/month less now by doing this, but it is the only thing I can think of doing to raise my points. With the pool of applicants growing each semester, I am not optimistic about my chances to get in. I know I want to be a nurse with all my heart. Even before I knew that it was "points" and required for the nursing program to be a CNA, I knew that it would be important to work as a CNA to know if being a nurse was truly the right thing for me. I love it. I work in skilled nursing in a retirement home and I enjoy this work more than any office work I have ever done. (Worked in office settings for 25 years). I am also setting the groundwork to apply for application to the nursing program in a town 140 miles away where I grew up and my mom still lives. I could stay with her and commute 3 day/week for classes. I am making sure that every class that does not have NURS in front of it is taken and out of the way. All you hear about is shortage of nurses, but those of us who want to become one are fighting tooth and nail to get in. I guess maybe all I can do is vent and try my best again this spring and again next fall. After that I don't know for sure. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago Hang in there. Retake the classes you mentioned. Your writing appears good. Anything you submit in the way of essays again just make sure you check spelling and read and then reread it to see if it can be improved. In general many nursing programs select students by committee. The committee members at most small schools remain the same so recall of prior applicants' names might happen. Any letters of recommendation from medically related employers may help. But if not requested they may not do any good at all. You are not too old to wait to get in. Waiting times seem to average 2 years in many locations. However by talking to the dean you might have just jumped ahead in the line a bit. Wait and see and good luck. I love Montana. I was an ER nurse for a few years at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning. I lived in East Glacier Park and absolutely loved the place. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago Thank you for your words of encouragement. The DON did say I was the first to come in and visit with her about why I did not get accepted. Try and try again... |
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| Posted over 3 years ago The nursing application process is more competive than ever. I am a second degree student and I'm baffled with the varying requirements for each nursing program. Like yourself, I applied for the fall semester and I did not get accepted. I have a 3.4GPA and great recommendations. However, most of the schools in Georgia have a two fold process in which you have to be accepted into the school before being accepted into the nursing program. To increase my chances I have applied to several out of state schools as well as within Geogia. Just continue to be positive and apply to many schools as possible. I just recently had an interview with a nursing program and continue to get more offers. Perserverance is the key. There is a right school out there for you Medlody5927. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago Entry into nursing programs is getting more competitive than ever. A huge part of the reason is that there is an even worse shortage of nursing instructors.
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| Posted over 3 years ago It's crazy, each year our school here accepts 40 students, 20 each semester. This fall, they are saying they expect around 400 applicants in the future.
Scary! |
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| Posted over 3 years ago My program accepts about 80 for our Fall program, 40 for our Evening/Weekend option. There are about 3 applicants for every seat. Many of the students in our area apply to multiple schools: there are 4 or 5 ADN programs, and 3 BSN programs in our immediate area, plus a couple of LPN programs. But I live in a high density population area, so it doesn't seem likely you have that option where you are. You live in Billings, right? Have you considered applying to Minot State in Minot ND? I graduated there in 2000; it is a great school. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago ??? |
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| Posted over 3 years ago How about Salish-Kootenai in Kalispell? And it is not exclusively Native American. |
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| Posted almost 2 years ago An update to encourage aspiring nursing students. I was accepted into the nursing school which is in my old hometown about 140 miles away. For the first year I only had to travel there one day a week, and now for the second year we will be required to be there two days per week. The school is going to work with us and try to make sure the days are consecutive. My mom still lives there so rent will be VERY cheap! LOL! I have to say I was getting very discouraged, but where there is a will, there is usually a way. It may not be the option we were first looking at or our first choice, but I read a saying when I first started all this: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, It is a matter of choice, It is not a thing to be waited for, It is a thing to be Acheived"
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