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Become a Nurse >> Browse Articles >> Step 4: Choose a Nursing School

4. Get In To The School of Your Choice

By now you know that there is a nursing shortage. What people don’t think about is the shortage of nursing instructors that goes along with this. What does this mean for you? It means that you may be facing waiting lists and steep competition among prospective nursing students. You will need to do everything possible to make sure you get to the top of the list.

Here are some things that most 4-year BSN programs will look at:

Your Grades

Master the art of getting good grades now, and nursing school will be that much easier for you. If you did not make good grades in high school you may want to consider going to a community college or taking a few college level classes before you apply to a BSN, as it will prove you can do the work and make good grades.

An Admissions Essay or Statement of Purpose

You may be asked to write an essay, usually of the theme “Why did you choose nursing?” or “What do you plan to do with your nursing degree?” Don’t try to think about what they want to hear. Try to answer the question as honestly as possible and you can’t go wrong. Good writing will get you far in this process. Find someone who has good writing skills and ask them to proofread your essay and give you feedback.

Letters of Recommendations

The application process often includes letters of recommendation from people that can speak to your work. For nursing school it is of preferable to get a recommendation from a science teacher or health care professional you have worked with, but anyone who really knows and can attest to your work will do. Each semester many high school and college students ask their professors for recommendations, so make sure you get your request in as early as you can so your professor will have plenty of time to get the recommendation to your school.

On the job experience

Volunteer work or a part-time job in a healthcare setting looks great on an admissions application, because it shows you’ve had a little experience and are sure about this career direction. It can also expose you to the various settings in which nurses work; so you will be able to choose a specialty when the time comes. Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) will especially help make the transition to becoming a nurse easier.

Next: 5. Complete Your RN Program – What to Expect

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