New guidelines to affect nursing program applicants

Beginning in the spring semester of 2013, Parkland College's nursing program will require all new applicants to be Certified Nursing Assistants.

Although it is not uncommon for students who want to become nurses to first be a CNA, it has not, in the past, been mandatory. However, any applicants who wish to apply for the 2013 spring semester must have their certification by Oct. 1, 2012, which is the scoring deadline for the nursing program. Anyone who is not able to prove that they are a CNA will not be considered for entry into the nursing program.

Many current nursing students are not directly opposed to the idea. Chris Bookland, a nursing student at Parkland, said that, by first being CNAs, "students will have a good idea of what they're getting into." Nursing is not an easy profession, and while many young adults see it as a stable job with a relatively high income, they forget that it is also one of the most physically and emotionally demanding jobs out there.

A group of three nursing students, who wish to remain anonymous, all agree that requiring applicants to be CNAs is a good idea. However, they also pointed out that they were glad to have already been accepted into the program. Parkland student Belinda Goldsmith also believes that, "it's a good idea," to require potential nursing students to be CNAs.

In terms of the affect the new regulations will have on the nursing program, the general consensus is that applications will be fewer. Bookland said, "Applications will decrease because the students can go elsewhere." Parkland has always had a reputation of a prestigious nursing program with a discerning admissions policy. However, many nursing students seemed to look down upon the process of becoming a CNA.

With such varied reactions to the new policy, it will be interesting to see how the nursing program is affected next spring. For more information on this policy, visit the Health Professions department in the L wing of Parkland College. The Health Professions department office is located in L244 on campus.