by kieryn graham

Created on: November 16, 2008   Last Updated: November 20, 2008

Call it a ritual, an annual autumn rite, predictable as sorority rush and getting kicked all around Qualcomm by BYU's behemoth footballers. Every fall, Dr. Lewis, the College of Science's "Pre-Health" advisor, invites wanna-be Nursing majors for a "discussion" of what becoming an RN really requires. On a sweltering Santa Ana September afternoon, more than 500 eager freshmen and sophomores crush into Don Powell Theater, waiting for their futures to unfold.

Walking calmly to the podium, Dr. Lewis looks all around the room, quietly fluttering her lips before she begins. Then, as ritual demands, Dr. Lewis, herself a retired surgical nurse, reassures, "Our profession needs every single one of you."

Dr. Lewis pauses. "Every single one," she nods, making significant eye contact with the Uncertain.

"But," she sighs, "not all of you are ready."

Dr. Lewis lets the message sink-in.

Warming to her subject, Dr. Lewis inquires, innocently, "How many of you are here because you believe becoming a nurse is easier than becoming a doctor? Please, answer honestly," Dr. Lewis stresses, "do you believe becoming a nurse is easier than becoming a doctor?"

The question just hangs in the air as a few hands tentatively rise. Dr. Lewis waits patiently, keeping her look of perfect innocence. "Honestly," she encourages, "you're among friends." Eventually, about a hundred hands rise. Lewis smiles, consoling, "Thank you for your honesty," she locks eyes with many of those whose hands remain pointed skyward. "You may go now," Lewis tells them.

"That's not fair," one boy whines as he realizes Dr. Lewis is perfectly serious about inviting the hand-raisers to leave.

"No, young man," Dr. Lewis focuses her attention on the plain-speaker. "It is not fair. But it is just. We want the strongest and best people for the finest profession known to mankind. And, trust me," Lewis speaks very firmly, "Nursing is mankind's finest profession."

Dr. Lewis, who boasts some of the nation's highest retention and graduation rates, continues administering her oral qualifying examination, the litmus test by which she assesses students' readiness

1. Have you taken college calculus? With a B' or better? Students who answer "yes" to both are encouraged to stay.

2. Have you taken introductory organic chemistry? With a B' or better? Same standard applies: students who answer "yes" to both are encouraged to stay.

3. Have you ever changed a diaper? Without getting squeamish? The pattern develops: two-for-two indicates you

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