What Does Being Waitlisted at Nursing School Mean?

Nursing is a rewarding and challenging career which is very much in demand. If you are waitlisted at a nursing school, it means you will have to delay starting the program for a number of reasons.

Too Many Applicants

Usually, applicants are waitlisted because there are more people applying to nursing school than there are spaces available for students. Applicants must wait until there are more slots available before they can begin study.

Prerequisites

Some nursing schools and training program put students on the waiting list because the students have not finished taking their pre-requisite courses. There are a number of courses which must be finished before entering nursing school, although the specific courses vary according to institution.

Grades

Applicants are sometimes waitlisted because there are other applicants who have scored higher in their pre-requisite courses.

Institution

There is more apt to be a waiting list at a community college than a university, because community colleges offer programs at lower cost. You may also be put on a waiting list if you apply for the nursing program at a particularly prestigious nursing school, as there will be much competition for entry.

Teacher Shortage

The rise in applicants has corresponded with a shortage of nurse educators. You may be put on a wailist for nursing school simply because there are not enough teachers to cover the classes that term.