The problem isn’t just a shortage of spots, but that the educators feel it is their “duty” to decide what is “nursing material”. As a result, most nursing classes undergo 20-40% attrition, with some as high as 70%.
Schools are only normally graded on high many of their graduates pass the entrance exam to be a nurse. They aren’t graded on what percentage of accepted applicants actually pass. Besides, most programs “bank” on all the aspiring wanna-bes taking pre-reqs, not the actual program itself. So, who really cares how many students get failed out? They’re a dime a dozen and the waiting list is around the corner. That’s the attitude.
As far instructors go, liberal idiots. I had to answer the most inane questions in liberally contorted ways to pass. If not for the “2 rules of college”, I would have failed out.
I tell new grads to forget 80% of what they learned in school because school doesn’t teach you how to be a nurse; it’s just the hazing.
That said, I make a good salary and can work all the overtime I want. I’m no angel, though. I don’t try to be. Instead, I’m a highly trained, highly experienced beside monitor, technician and interventioner. I don’t get paid for what I do, but rather, on what I prevent.
Ziravan, CCRN.
2 rules of college:
1. Instructor is always right.
2. If you wanna pass, see rule #1.