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Nursing School: Will You Be Accepted?

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Me_in_cocceticut_max50

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Congratulations if you have decided to apply to a nursing school! You are well on your way to a career with many opportunities for growth and income potential. Try to stay calm if you are feeling nervous about the application process; there are many things you can do to help increase your chances of being accepted.


Still in high school?


There are steps you can take to help with your future goal of entering nursing school. You will want to earn good grades while you are in high school, so it is important to study hard and take your class work and homework seriously. It is also very important to take science and math courses and to do exceptionally well in them. Good grades in math and science will go a long way towards making yourself more competitive against other nursing school candidates.


Take the SAT's and ACT's before applying to college.


The SAT and ACT are tools used by colleges and universities as a baseline to compare future applicants. It is very important to take these tests seriously so that you can receive the best possible scores. Take test preparation courses or use test preparation guides and sample tests prior to taking the actual SAT or ACT in order to become comfortable with each exam. You can take these tests after graduation if you have decided to enter into nursing school at some point after finishing high school; however, it is a good idea to take these tests before you graduate, if possible.


Research the application requirements for each nursing program very carefully.


You should know exactly what is needed from you to apply for nursing school. Does the school require that you have a certain GPA from high school or from former college credits? Are there prerequisite courses that you are expected to take in high school or on a college level before applying for nursing school? While many programs have similar standard requirements, each is unique. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet every application requirements for each program you apply to. It is always a good idea to talk to an admissions adviser for the best advice.


Write a good entrance essay when applying to nursing school.


Many nursing schools require you to write an essay when applying. This is your best avenue to illustrate and advertise yourself, and it should be well thought out and well written. You do not want to submit an essay that makes little sense or has many grammatical and spelling errors. Write an essay from the heart that really has meaning for you. Do not simply write a generic essay or an essay that just tells the admissions officers what you think they want to hear. Use the essay to reflect who you really are and why you would be a good fit for that particular nursing program.


You must take your time when preparing to apply to nursing school.


Start preparing as soon as you realize that you want to go to nursing school. You should begin working to achieve your goals even if you are still in high school.


 




 
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5 Tips for Getting Into Nursing School


 

Getting into nursing school can present a unique challenge. The best tips I can provide are outlined below. Keep in mind that as you go through this article, it is what you do today that will help you excel tomorrow.


 


1.Prerequisites: With limited student slots, there is tough competition getting into nursing school. With the seemingly endless waiting list, the more prerequisites you have completed prior to your application, the better. Find out early in your college career what the prerequisites are and start working on those immediately. The more you have completed (and the higher your grades!) when you apply for the program, the better your chances of getting in.


2.Experience: Don’t underestimate any experience you have in the healthcare field. All else being equal, the student chosen will be the one demonstrating experience and initiative. Volunteer at a local hospital or clinic if you can’t find a job. Check with the college health clinic – they might be able to use you to assist them. Experience looks good on the application for nursing school admission.




3. Create the perfect application: If you have bad handwriting – as I do – have someone else fill in your application for you. Type it if you can! Make sure there are no words spelled incorrectly or grammar issues. Brag on all of your accomplishments, no matter how minor they may seem to you.


4.Let them know who you are: This is not the time to be shy! Network with nursing students already in the program. Physically go to the Nursing Chair’s office and introduce yourself. Make sure to dress professionally and use your smile and best handshake when you go. After your brief visit, write the chair a note and mail it (not email), stating that it was a pleasure to meet him/her and that you look forward to starting nursing school. Volunteer with other nursing students when campus events arise. Stay in the know as to what is happening in the nursing department at your college and they will remember your name and reputation when reviewing applications!


5.Dont be too patient: As the deadline approaches for applications, go back into the departmental chair’s office and speak with the receptionist. Tell him/her how excited you are to start and that you are there to double check to make sure they have everything they need for your application. It will impress the receptionist that you would take the time to check, and he/she will likely mention that to the chair. Another way to get your name recognized in the homestretch!




If at first you don’t succeed…start back at TIP #1 and apply again!




Remember, after all this work, when you do get accepted continue to work diligently on your grades and become an active member of your nursing class.


 




 
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Getting Into Nursing School




 With a worldwide nursing shortage it's easy to get into nursing school, right? Wrong.


According to an American Association of Colleges of Nursing report on 2007-2008 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away 40,285 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2007, because of an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints.


Almost three quarters (71.4 percent) of the nursing schools responding to the 2007 survey pointed to faculty shortages as a reason for not accepting all qualified applicants into entry-level nursing programs. What does this mean for you? It means that getting a slot in a nursing program is becoming more and more competitive.


Here are a few useful tips to attain one of those coveted nursing school slots:

■Grades: This one is obvious, but needs to head up the list. Any prior scores (SAT, GRE, and transcripts from High School and previous colleges) matter. Knowing what you want and doing your best to get there is imperative.

■Prerequisites: Know the prerequisites for the nursing program(s) you are applying to. Complete them as soon as possible. Many programs will enroll you even if you haven't finished all prerequisites.You will take the remaining ones in conjunction with the nursing classes. If you wait to apply until all of your prerequisites are complete, you are missing out on the potential to start earlier. Even if your prerequisites are not completed, apply! You may be put on a waiting list and get in a semester or two earlier than anticipated!

■Work experience: Whether a paying position or volunteer work, colleges count work experience when looking at nursing school candidates. If you are not yet a nurse, volunteer or work as an assistant or unit secretary at a hospital. Any experience is better than none.

■Application: Complete the application without errors; check and double check. I personally know a college admission officer who sets aside applications with errors and only goes back to them if there are not enough candidates left in the "good application" pool. Take your time and remember that first impressions matter.

■Let them know who you are: Call the nursing department(s) prior to application. Ask for a conference with one of the adjunct professors or the department head (this might be harder to access). Explore the nursing program face to face. This gives the nursing department a chance to "meet you." Send a note after the appointment thanking the person for his/her time. When your application arrives to the nursing department, you will likely have one person on the selection committee who "knows" you.

■Perseverance: Reapply as many times as it takes and to as many nursing schools as you can!




 
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Paying for Nursing School




One of the more difficult aspects of higher education today is the cost. Many students currently enrolled in nursing school, or those considering going back to school, find the process of securing funds for tuition to be a daunting task.


I spoke with some friends and co-workers who have recently attended college, along with a friend who works at a bank, to get their advice on this topic. One thing they all agreed on was that prospective students should expect to spend many hours researching student loans, nursing grants, and scholarships, followed by quite a bit of time spent filling out paperwork.




My friend at the bank was quick to inform me that few banks lend money for student loan contracts. She did, however, say that more and more parents and adult students are accessing home equity loans for the purpose of paying college tuitions. She recommended that students look online for information about the availability of educational money. It is often helpful to go to the nursing educational institution you will be attending and meet with their financial advisors to find out about loans, scholarships, and grants that they are familiar with.




Other useful resources are community organizations that have earmarked some of their annual funds for scholarships or grants. These do not need to be paid back. Speak with organizations such as Rotary and P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) to see if any are available in your community.




The recurring message I received from both nurses who had recently attended school, as well as individuals involved in giving nursing grants, was to do your homework. Spend time investigating schools before you make a commitment, and don’t be shy about asking questions regarding additional or hidden costs (books, lodging, transportation) and whether the school provides financial counsel. Plan to spend time speaking with financial advisors, comparing your opportunities, and planning how you will pay back your loans.




As daunting a task as paying for higher education may be, there are many resources available to help alleviate some of the stress, and to answer your questions and concerns regarding nursing schools.




 

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