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LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Article Excerpt
Byline: The Register-Guard

Don't turn away future nurses

Just a few days ago, a friend of mine was denied admission to the Oregon Health & Science University nursing program. For her, nursing is a dream. It is what she wants to do with her life. The denial has left her questioning whether she is ever destined to become a nurse.

I wonder why a good program such as the one at OHSU is turning away people who dream of being nurses. Even more so, I wonder where our priorities are as a community.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing predicts that the shortage of nurses in the United States could reach as high as 500,000 by 2025. Some numbers suggest that the United States will need more than 1 million new and replacement nurses by 2016. With numbers such as this, why are we turning away individuals who really want to be nurses?

Of course, quality must be a concern. Sure, some people are not cut out to be nurses, and the competition for positions in programs is high. However, my friend has a bachelor's degree in sociology and a high grade-point average. Let's do what it takes to get the nurses we need and deserve.

If programs such as those at Lane Community College and OHSU need to be expanded, then let's do it.

We can teach people what they need to know in order to be a nurse. What we can't do is give them the desire to make it their dream....

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