A Mini-Rant

Jennifer - posted on 01/17/2012

I certianly dont envey the way your program is set up! I was accepted into the BSN program at the U of M, and if you are accepted, you start the program as a sophmore, and they control your class schedule. You don't have to fight for any class spots or clinicals. If you are in, you are in, period. That said, only 20-25% of all applicants get in. I am glad to just have my spot here! Part time is not an option, but I am glad to just plow through and get it done.

Abby - posted on 08/07/2010

This happened to me awhlie ago. I was enrolled at the local community college to get my ADN and was completing all of the pre-reqs and had to wade through all the stuff they throw at you (the test, program conference, gpa, etc.) and was in a good spot and was on my way to start asap. Then I found out that in addition to completing all pre-reqs and other reqs we had a 'buffer' semester we had to wait in order for background checks, etc. to be completed. After hearing this I was so fed up I decided since my long term goal is a MSN I would rather just enroll at the local University and try for their BSN program. I had a few other pre-reqs to complete and there were even less spots bc of once-a-year start date, but I'm saving time and money by going ahead and getting my BSN. It was incredibly stressful waiting to hear if I had been accepted or not - but I made it! One of the lucky 55 (35 spots had already been promised to early admits) to make it in out of probably close to 300! I would suggest trying that in the meantime if you're unsure if you'll make it in to your ADN program!!

Good luck! :)

Chantel - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Christine:

How it works at Del State is that for the first 2 yrs of you bachelors you are considered a pre-nursing student, meaning that you intend to go completely through the nursing program. You have to get a C or higher in all of the required classes, have a GPA of 2.8, get a passing score on the NET (Nursing Entrance Test), and even if you get a passing score on the NET you need a passing score on the reading part of the NET. If all of that is completed, then you can apply for clinicals, which will make up the last 2 yrs of school. There are only 80 slots, and everyone is ranked by GPA who have met all the standards. The students with the highest GPA make it into the program. All of the others will have to reapply in the follwoing year. Right now I have a 3.55, which I think is a decent GPA, but I am afraid that it will go down since I do not have as much time to study as I use to. I figure it happens that I don't make it in, I will try to transfer to another school.
I don't know how many peopl are actually nursing majors at Del State.

The expectations are high in my program too.  We took entrance PSB exams to gain a spot.  In program we have prereqs and then partnering courses (like phys and anatomy) but I took those prior to my nursing core.  In program our standard is a C or above, but the C is set at 75% I think....with a pass/fail for clinicals that depends on paperwork (case studies), dosage quizes with minimum of 85% to pass, and performance.  I hear next year they move minimum standards up a bit.

By the time I'm done, I will have graduated 2x and will have over 64 credits with an LPN, AA and AS degree.....There are a total of 90 spots with 30 at each of the 2 campuses offering nursing and a distance section for online students, although labs and clinicals are all on site.

Chantel - posted on 04/03/2009

Yup, finishing up LPN clinicals this May with a PN Integration in the Maymester.  It has been a bit overwhelming, especially since our first clinicals were in the nursing home, which is not someplace I like to work...its just not for me.

Last semester I took 12 credits, Pharm., Adult I, and Principles and Practices along with a 1st quarter lab and a 2nd quarter clinical day...

The hardest part of clinicals is the paperwork.  We have a 12+ page case study on our patients.

This semester is 13 credits, with Adult II and Maternal Family and 2 clinical days a week in hospital along with observation days at clinic, dialysis, mental health, outpatient surg....

We have just fallen into a schedule where I am splitting my time between family and school.  Last semester I allowed it to stress me.  However this semester I decided that for the most part my school day ended at 5 pm and the nights and weekends belonged to my family.

Because we homeschool too, I don't get to school until around 1 on days I am home.

In this program, I have to get my LPN license to go on for my RN year.  So I have boards when school finishes up this summer.  If I don't pass my boards 1st attempt I will continue on with my AA (it is an ADN program) and then see where that takes me for my RN.  My plan is to finish up my ADN, and continue on for my Master's bridging into midwifery...but we will see.

Rachel - posted on 04/03/2009

Okay, now I'm starting to understand. I'm only going to receive an ADN. I graduated high school in 97 and have taken no college prior. I was getting confused why some ppl had to take basic classes before entering nursing. I didn't have to do this. Once I make it through the 2 1/2 years I may look into furthering my education. I wish you the best of luck! Keep positive; I'm sure you'll be in one of those spots! :)

Katie - posted on 04/03/2009

60 slots at my school but I don't start till August. I am pretty sure that our clinicals start right away but I already did my prerequisites. Good luck Christine in getting into the clinical part of your school.

Christine - posted on 04/03/2009

How it works at Del State is that for the first 2 yrs of you bachelors you are considered a pre-nursing student, meaning that you intend to go completely through the nursing program. You have to get a C or higher in all of the required classes, have a GPA of 2.8, get a passing score on the NET (Nursing Entrance Test), and even if you get a passing score on the NET you need a passing score on the reading part of the NET. If all of that is completed, then you can apply for clinicals, which will make up the last 2 yrs of school. There are only 80 slots, and everyone is ranked by GPA who have met all the standards. The students with the highest GPA make it into the program. All of the others will have to reapply in the follwoing year. Right now I have a 3.55, which I think is a decent GPA, but I am afraid that it will go down since I do not have as much time to study as I use to. I figure it happens that I don't make it in, I will try to transfer to another school.

I don't know how many peopl are actually nursing majors at Del State.

Rachel - posted on 04/03/2009

I am starting school on Monday. Our clinicals start in the 6th week. I find it so strange how one school differs from the next. I find that completely unfair for you not to be guaranteed clinicals. It's the most important part in learning if you ask me. 80 slots for how many people?

Believe in yourself! You can do it! You will do it!