Nursing program highly competitive

By Lynette Martinez

Competition is high for prospective nursing majors at City College, so they will need more

than compassion and commitment if they want to get into the program.

That was the central theme issued by Registered Nursing Department Chair Margaret Noonan in a nursing program introductory seminar held Nov. 15 in the Ocean campus’ Rosenberg Library.

Noonan talked about the characteristics it takes to be a nurse, the tremendous responsibility and demands of the job and the competitiveness within the education process itself. Of the 800 students who apply each year, only 100 are accepted into the program.

The College offers an exceptionally prestigious associate degree of science in nursing which, when achieved, allows the graduate to take a state board exam to obtain their registered nurse license and begin working at health facilities and agencies at an entry level.
“This associate degree in nursing is also set up,” Noonan said, “to allow students guaranteed admission into State or any California University to begin work toward his/her bachelor’s (degree).”
This guaranteed transfer only allows admission into the California universities. In order to be admitted into a school’s nursing program, the student needs to meet that school’s program requirements.

Noonan said only a certain number of students are allowed into the program because there are a limited number of facilities and staff available.

“Each student is required to put in clinical hours,” Noonan said. “For every eight students, one clinician is needed to teach the students.”

       In order to be accepted into the nursing program, one must satisfy the prerequisites, obtain a 2.5 grade point average in those required classes, pass criminal background and drug/alcohol screenings and a health exam, and have an academic recommendation. But the trickiest part about getting into the program is having luck on your side.
The selection process at City College is done by lottery. According to a flyer for the nursing department, “Names of applicants are randomized and assigned numbers.”
If the student receives number 1-100, they are accepted into the program. If not, they will have to reapply and and go through the same process to be applicable for the next year.

“Although nurses are in demand, San Francisco’s need for nurses is rather low,” Noonan said.

Prospective nursing major Mark Garza attended the seminar.

“I am willing to leave the Bay Area if it means I can get a job more easily,” Garza said.