Long wait for students to enroll in some community college nursing programs
EdSource
Ashley A. Smith
October 12, 2021
Students pushing for changes in admission process
Despite the high demand for more nurses, students at some California community colleges are finding it difficult to get accepted into nursing programs.
It’s a problem that leaders of the student senate of the California Community Colleges want to confront to eliminate a controversial lottery system that has prevented some students from becoming nurses.
Of the nearly 80 nursing programs offered in the 115 campus community colleges, some use a lottery system to admit applicants. Some students have complained of yearslong waitlists, preventing them from pursuing their major.
“We’re going to have a lot of nurses quit because of Covid, and we’re not going to be able to replace them fast enough,” said Katelyn Bourne, a former member of the student senate and transfer student at Humboldt State. “Why not make a system across the board to get students into nursing? Make it first come, first served.”
