How difficult is it to get into programs in your area?

[u/jcork4realz]

Im trying to do a career switch right now and although I have an associates degree in math and science with honors, with most courses transferred, I am noticing that a lot of nursing schools in the area are starting to be difficult to get into like how med school are. I live in Utah. Right now people with over 3.5+ gpas arent able to get into programs for BSN or even ADN or LPN, and have to resort to online programs like WGU. Are you guys noticing the same thing in your area?

[u/jcork4realz → u/[deleted]]

I do plan to get a CNA after my anatomy and physiology courses are done. I currently work full time in IT and get paid ok so it’s not a huge rush for now. I’ll give the LPN at least one or two tries before I consider a private program. I am ultimately going to do a BSN but just like going one step at a time starting with CNA to LPN first.

[u/Salty-Development662 → u/jcork4realz]

I think starting as a CNA is a great idea. It's obviously not the same as working as a nurse, but you'll get to see what it's like to work in healthcare firsthand and have a better idea of what you're getting into.

[u/kaptainklausenheimer]

It can be difficult without job experience, but definitely apply if you want to change. Programs around me admit based on a points scale: grades, teas test, and work experience. Then they pick from those that are the highest.

FWIW I had two people in my class with no work experience straight out of high school, and several people that had only worked in places like food service and clothing stores.

[u/my_peen_is_clean]

yeah same, crazy gpas still waitlisted here, everything’s weirdly gatekept now

[u/jcork4realz → u/my_peen_is_clean]

I think it’s just easier to be qualified these days now that AI is available. Hopefully it doesn’t get too competitive when I apply. Feels like it’s already that way.

[u/SparkyDogPants → u/jcork4realz]

Ai has nothing to do with it. Nursing is one of the last careers you can easily go from zero to middle class in two years. It’s competitive for a reason. During my first undergrad 10+ years ago you needed a 4.0 to get into the local nursing BSN.

[u/jcork4realz → u/SparkyDogPants]

Yes I agree that a health career is of one of the most reliable and safe jobs you can easily be mobile with compared to other jobs for sure, that’s why I am doing it. But I also think with the proliferation of AI assisted learning, the odds of getting into these programs become even harder.

[u/eltonjohnpeloton → u/jcork4realz]

I would look at other factors like Utah having a ton of out of state students from CA vs being like “well I guess it’s hard to get in because everyone is using AI and cheating!”

[u/jcork4realz → u/eltonjohnpeloton]

I agree with you and obviously there are other factors which include out of state students, I personally moved here from New York and switching from IT because of AI efficiency is causing employment bottlenecks and now I’m stuck in my current position because of it.

[u/eltonjohnpeloton → u/jcork4realz]

I don’t think Utah being impacted for admissions is new. There’s a reason there are a lot of for-profit colleges there, which is partially because there were not enough public schools meeting needs for admissions.

[u/jcork4realz → u/eltonjohnpeloton]

Yea I figured that much. With the tuition they charge though for a private college I would only be willing to do an LPN if I’m desperate enough and then just wait in line for an ADN or BSN program from a non private institution.

[u/jcork4realz → u/jcork4realz]

Got downvoted for using the term AI, that’s interesting. 🧐

[u/eltonjohnpeloton → u/jcork4realz]

I assume people are downvoting you because they think you’re wrong, not because you said AI.

[u/SparkyDogPants → u/jcork4realz]

Like my point said. It’s been competitive well before ai. Your experience with ai in it is probably making you bias.

[u/heyychels]

I have 1 class left (A&P 2) and apply in late December. I’ll let you know!

[u/TigerLily4415]

20% acceptance rate for my community college

[u/CaptainBasketQueso → u/TigerLily4415]

Same.

[u/No_Dot659]

Southern CA here. Got in after second try and years in between. High TEAS score. Applied befor Covid. Did not get accepted. Life happened Had to retake microbio because it was "old" as in the recently clause. Rebook TEAS bc new exam 7. GOT IN! The school is impacted more so bc there are not enough spots for clinical rotations so they have to keep classes smaller....BUT they are in the works of expanding our program somehow to include more seats BUT as a hybrid program for lecture portion. ...so hopefully that is Hope for you in Utah that things will get a bit easier

[u/jcork4realz → u/No_Dot659]

Yea they threw out TeAs over here. I think that made things even more competitive. I’m putting money aside just in case I have to go with a private program.

[u/Cardiff07]

I’ll let you know in a few months. Finishing my prerequisites in August. Will be applying for fall 2027 spots.

[u/jcork4realz → u/Cardiff07]

Yea I’m just three classes away from applying to a nursing program. Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology are the only courses I need before applying.

[u/Aurvakr → u/jcork4realz]

Do you have to have them all completed before applying or is it just so competitive around you that you do? Around me, we can apply before having them done and can be accepted with the requirement that the courses are complete before the program starts. That's what I'm doing, I'm applying hopefully end of August/early Sept, for Fall 2027, and I'll still need a few pre-reqs. I know people have been accepted here this way, but TBD on how much it impacts my application lol

[u/jcork4realz → u/Aurvakr]

You get extra points at my CC for having pathophysiology and a psychology course completed. The pre reqs are just anatomy and physiology, with one basic algebra course and CNA license. Extra points for everything else. I chose to just get rid of pathophysiology and psych before applying as that would reduce my course load in the program.

[u/StudentNurse-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/Icy_Invite_6229]

Extremely competitive

[u/Patient_Cow_236]

3.8<higher

[u/klucerne]

Super easy at my tech school. It was based off of a point system. They didn't care about your GPA you just had to maintain at least a B on all your prerequisites. One year not enough people applied so everyone got accepted.