Hurdles and Challenges for RN Applicants

You may think that if you've decide to become an RN, nurse's aide, or LPN/LVN, the biggest challenge is finding the right school and figuring out how you will have the time to devote to the program. Unfortunately, that may not be the biggest challenge you face. Even though there is a critical shortage of nurses in America, up to three-quarters of applicants to nursing programs in some schools are rejected. The reason is that most nursing schools have limited resources because of the nursing shortage; there are simply not enough nurses that want to be teachers.

One way to help you circumvent the selectivity of nursing programs is to slowly make your way up the nursing ladder – first becoming a certified nurse's aide, then a LPN/LVN, and then getting your associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing from there. Many schools will give preference to RN applicants who already have some sort of nursing training under their belts.

Good Applicants for an MSN Degree

Once you have completed your BSN degree, the next logical step in your education is to complete your MSN degree. South University offers an online MSN program that allows you to earn your MSN degree quickly and at your own pace. Use the following checklist to see if you are a good candidate for South University Online's MSN degree:

• You already have your BSN. South University's MSN program requires you to have already completed your BSN degree and have a valid nursing license 

• You have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. To be accepted at South University's MSN program, you will need to demonstrate that you were a good student as an undergraduate

• You took college chemistry and statistics. For South University's MSN program, you will need to have completed some specific courses as an undergraduate, such as chemistry and statistics. If you have not completed these classes, consider taking them at a community college before you apply for your MSN

• You are motivated and want to advance in your career. The South University MSN program is geared towards nurses who want to move into management or education positions; you will usually need to demonstrate that you are motivated and interested in advancing in your career through an admissions essay

Who Should Consider a LPN/LVN Program

A good option for becoming a nurse without having to devote four years to a BSN degree is to become a LPN/LVN, a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse. You can enter into a LPN/LVN program directly out of high school, or you can choose to go back to earn your license. Here are typical prerequisites for applicants to a LPN/LVN program:

• High school graduate or GED equivalency

• Prerequisite courses such as basic math and basic composition. You will usually need to complete these with a 2.0 GPA/4.0 or higher

• Transcripts from your high school or other colleges attended

• References

• Any relevant assessment scores required by the school You can usually complete the LPN/LVN program in about a year, and then take your certification test and receive your license. Many programs are also flexible, allowing you to study at night or on weekends to allow you to keep working, if necessary.

Who Should Consider a Nurse's Aide Program

Who Should Apply For a MSN Degree

Advocating for RN Applicants and Nurses

Nursing has been portrayed for a long time on television and in the movies; but are nurses portrayed in a positive and accurate light? Some advocates for nursing take issue with the way nurses are portrayed in the media, and have begun awareness campaigns to improve nurses' images.

For example, an advocacy group takes issue with the way nurses are portrayed on the popular television show “Grey's Anatomy,” saying that the physicians are the ones who do the “exciting” work that nurses actually do in real life. They also took issue with the way a nursing strike was portrayed on the show, and have started a letter-writing campaign to improve the image of nurses. The advocacy group also has taken issue with the way nurses are portrayed on the television show “ER,” in Johnson & Johnson commercials, and even in Las Vegas slot machines called “Nurse Follies.” If you are interested in voicing your opinion, you can write letters to the various television and media producers as a part of the campaigns.

Admissions Requirements South University's MSN Program

If you are interested in applying to South University's MSN online program, here are the requirements you will need to meet as an applicant:

• A BSN degree
• A valid nursing license in the state where you wish to practice
• All transcripts from your post-high-school studies
• An acceptable score on the GRE
• Letters of reference
• A written or in-person interview
• Various prerequisite courses

You can receive a packet of information with full admissions requirements upon request through South University Online's website. 

Good Candidates for South University's RN to BSN Online Degree

If you want to advance your career with a BSN degree but have a busy schedule, you may want to apply to South University's RN to BSN online degree.

At South University Online, you can earn your BSN at your convenience and on your own schedule. You take all classes via the web, and interact with your fellow students through chat rooms and bulletin board systems. Technical support is available online and with e-mail.

The requirements for South University Online's RN to BSN degrees are the same as for traditional RN to BSN completion programs. An additional requirement, however, is that good candidates must be comfortable with using technology to study. You also must be self-motivated and able to organize your time well.

About Challenges For RN Applicants

If you are interested in applying to South University's online program, either their MSN or RN to BSN degree, you may face some challenges to admission.

Even though there is a critical shortage of nurses in America, up to three-quarters of applicants to nursing programs in some schools are rejected. The reason is that most nursing schools have limited resources because of the nursing shortage; there are simply not enough nurses that want to be teachers.

To be a good candidate for South University's RN to BSN online program, it helps if you already have a background in nursing. You have to be an active nurse and be dedicated to earning your BSN program. For their MSN program, the stronger your grades are as an undergraduate and the more work experience you have, the better your chances are of being accepted.

Who Should Consider Online Degrees

Many people interested in nursing or advancing their nursing careers may consider enrolling in an online degree program. Online degrees are usually available for those who want to complete their BSN with an RN to BSN program, or for those who want to earn their MSN. Some adult education programs offer associates degrees in nursing online, and LPN/LVN training online as well. If you are considering an online degree, you must ask yourself the following questions to see if you are a good candidate to be an online student:

• Are you comfortable with technology? You need to make sure that you are comfortable enough with technology, such as the Internet, chat, and word processing, to be able to complete your degree

• Are you self-motivated? Since online courses are done on your own time, they are flexible – but they also require a lot of motivation on your part. If you need deadlines and supervision to get work done, online courses may not be for you.

• Are you comfortable working solo? Even though online courses allow you to interact with other students and faculty via the web and other software, you may find yourself working on your own more than you would in a traditional program. Make sure that's okay with you.

An Accelerated Nursing Program

Some nursing schools are now offering accelerated nursing programs, allowing RN applicants who have already earned bachelor's degrees to earn their BSN in about a year. However, these accelerated programs aren't for everyone; follow these guidelines to see if you are a good candidate for an accelerated nursing program.

- You already have a bachelor's degree. Most accelerated programs will require you to already have earned a bachelor's degree in some field; if it is not a science-related field, you may have to complete some prerequisites before you can start your nursing classes.

- You are highly motivated and a good student. Accelerated nursing programs are usually highly competitive, and you must demonstrate that you will be able to handle the demands of long days and difficult courses.

- You have the financial means. It is nearly impossible to work even a part-time job when you are enrolled in an accelerated nursing program; therefore, you must be able to devote all of your time to school and not have the need to work.

RN Applicants and Technology

To apply to South University Online's RN to BSN program or MSN program, you must be comfortable with technology in order to be successful.  

You must be comfortable using the internet, specifically the World Wide Web and all web browsing programs.  You also must have access to a 56K or better internet connection, and a computer with a Pentium III CPU, Windows 2000 or XP, and 256 MB of RAM.

You can purchase your software through JourneyEd, or you can provide your own Microsoft Office and Norton Antivirus.  

Nursing in the Media

If you are applying for one of South University's online degrees, you may be excited to be joining the world of nursing as it is portrayed on television and in movies. One point to be aware of, however, is that some advocates for nursing take issue with the way nurses are portrayed in the media, and have begun awareness campaigns to improve nurses' images.

For example, advocacy groups do not like the way nurses are portrayed on television shows like “Grey's Anatomy,” and “ER,” since nurses are generally portrayed as a “sidekick” to the physicians, who perform more “exciting” work. Groups also take issue with they way nurses are portrayed in other types of media, like television commercials and even on Las Vegas slot machines.

If you are applying the RN to BSN program or the MSN program at South University Online, you should be aware of some of the issues that advocates take with the portrayal of nurses in the media.

How to Connect with other RN Applicants at South University Online

If you are considering enrolling in one of South University Online's online RN programs, you may be interested in how students connect with each other while they study. South University goes to great lengths to help you to connect with other students in the program, so you can get the support you need.

South University does not have a residency requirement, because residency requirements can hinder the flexibility of online programs. Instead, students interact through available technology, such as chat programs, chat rooms, and bulletin board systems. Some courses may even have requirements that you post messages and respond to other's messages in the class.

Technology support is available online as well as through e-mail to technical support. If you are comfortable with using communication technology, you will have no problem connecting to other students in South University Online's RN programs.

Good Candidates for Online Degrees

South University Online offers online degrees for those students who want to complete their BSN with an RN to BSN program, or for those who want to earn their MSN.

If you are considering an online degree at South University, ask yourself the following questions to see if you are a good candidate to be an online student:

• Are you comfortable with technology? Since South University's programs are delivered exclusively via the web, you need to make sure that you are comfortable enough with technology such as the internet, chat, and word processing, to be able to complete your degree
• Are you self-motivated? Online programs are flexible, but since you must complete them on your own pace and on your own schedule, you need to be a self-motivated person. You also need to be able to manage your time effectively
• Are you comfortable working alone? You will be able to interact with other students and faculty via technology while working on your degree at South University Online, but you may still find yourself working on your own more than you would in a traditional program.  

About South University's Accelerated Online Nursing Programs

At South University, you can earn your RN to BSN degree in as little as 1 ½ years if you are a qualified candidate. With accelerated courses that last only 5 ½ weeks, you can finish your coursework online quickly and with minimal disruption to your schedule.

If you are considering South University's accelerated online degree, you must be a highly self-motivated person and a good student. You also must be willing to put up with a potentially demanding schedule, depending on your personal schedule.

If you want to earn your BSN degree quickly, South University Online's accelerated RN to BSN degree may be a good option for you.

Connecting With Other RN Applicants in Online Programs