If you’re reading this, chances are you’re thinking about becoming a nurse. Nursing is the foundation of healthcare in America, making up the largest portion of American’s healthcare professionals (as of 2021, 4.2 million Americans held an RN degree). And it’s no secret that nursing school is tough, but if you were to ask anyone who went through nursing school and earned their degree if they’d do it all over again, most of them would say yes. These are my best tips for getting into nursing school in hopes that you can live our your dream of working as a nurse.
This post was written by Lyndsee Baldwin – Check out her work at The Nurse Narrative
My Journey to Becoming a Nurse
Before we get into tips for getting you into nursing school, I want to share my nursing school journey with you. I was one of those people who had no idea what kind of career they wanted to pursue after high school. I knew I wanted to work in the medical field, but had no idea what path to take. I changed my major three times before I realized that nursing was my calling. I attended a four-year university with an excellent nursing program, which meant that the competition was steep. Something that I think people forget to mention is that not only is nursing school stressful, but the application process to get into nursing school is also stressful. Nursing school prerequisite classes are some of the toughest classes that I’ve taken (I’m looking at you anatomy) and aside from the classes, I also chose to volunteer with the local Red Cross and other non-profit healthcare organizations to make my application stand out.
“I failed out of nursing school…”
If you ask anyone who’s gone through nursing school what the hardest part is, chances are they’ll say “the first semester” – and I’d have to agree. I failed two classes my first semester of nursing school. In the program I was in, if you failed one class you could reapply for the next term. But if you failed two classes, you weren’t able to reapply for five years. So here I was, with a fresh wound of failure, not know what to do next. I knew in my heart that I was meant to be a nurse, so I decided to retake some prerequisite classes to boost my GPA, and I continued to volunteer. I left the four-year university program that I had gotten into and applied to two community colleges near me that had associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs, and I got into both programs. I chose the one that was best for me and for the next 1.5 years I worked the hardest I possibly could.
Fast forward to 2017 and I graduated with my ADN, and in 2020 I graduated with my BSN through an accredited online program. I tell you this story – my story – to point out that everyone’s nursing journey is different. Just because you fail, or you get rejected, it doesn’t mean that you won’t make a great nurse. If you want something, go for it, and don’t stop until you get it.
Now, here are some tips to turn your aspirations into an admission!
The Best Tips for Getting into Nursing School
1. Figure Out Your “Why”
Nursing is a career that stems from passion. Most nurses can pinpoint the exact moment they knew they wanted to become a nurse. This tip may seem “basic”, but knowing your “why” can encourage you throughout your admissions process and throughout nursing school. Plus, if you’re interviewed as part of your admission process, chances are you’ll get asked, “Why do you want to become a nurse?”. So knowing your “why” serves you multiple ways!
2. Research, Research, Research
This is a BIG one. Once you know you want to apply to nursing school, you need to know what that process entails. Research different schools and their programs (not all programs are the same). Accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and the school’s reputation are all important factors; but you should also consider your own goals and what school would best benefit your needs. Most nursing schools require certain prerequisites, so talking to an advisor would be helpful in building out your academic plan. Know what the GPA requirement is and if they require standardized test scores like the HESI or TEAS. To stand out you’ll need volunteer experience, letters of recommendation, and maybe even an admissions essay. Make it your goal to have an admissions packet that says “pick me” rather than one that shows you were unprepared.
3. Make Your Application Stand Out
To make your application stand out, put yourself out there and help people in your community. Add even more flair to your resume by volunteering in the healthcare field; whether that’s in a nursing home, or at the Red Cross. You could even get a job as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to get hands on experience with patients.
Plus, by volunteering or working as a CNA you’ll be able to make connections with people in the healthcare industry. Making those connections will be beneficial when you need recommendations for your application.
4. Grades Matter – Study, Study, Study
Most nursing schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher (but that isn’t the case for ALL nursing programs). Even when meeting the GPA requirement, that doesn’t guarantee admission into school. After all, nursing is extremely competitive and it takes more than good grades to stand out. But with all of that being said, your grades do matter because this is the minimum requirement for applying to nursing school. I recommend reaching out to an advisor who can help you determine what grades you need to get to maintain a certain GPA. And if there’s a class you don’t do so well in, there’s no shame in retaking it for a better grade.
5. Getting into Nursing School Through a Non-Traditional Route
Another tip that I have for getting into nursing school is going a non-traditional route. After all, there are many avenues that you can take to become a nurse and there are a plethora of programs out there. Attending a BSN program isn’t the only way (trust me, I would know). Both licensed practical nursing (LPN) and associate degree nursing (ADN) programs are great ways to start your nursing career. These programs are both shorter than a BSN program, getting you into the workforce and earning a paycheck faster. Plus, there are many “bridge” programs (a program that bridges from LPN/ADN to BSN) that allow you to further your degree if that’s what you want to do.
Pivoting for a moment, I want to discuss a topic that isn’t “traditional” – getting into nursing school after high school. You don’t have to be a 20-something college student to be admitted into nursing school; however, 18 years of age is a requirement for admission (and you need to have a high school diploma or GED). There are programs available that don’t require prerequisites, with many of them being LPN to RN bridge programs. Many ADN programs allow you to take your prerequisite courses in connection with your nursing courses (but keep in mind that that increases your workload in an already difficult program). If you’re interested in a BSN program, you will need prerequisites. For a high school student, you can take AP classes or enter a dual credit class or pre-nursing program for high school students to get a head start on those required prerequisites. One tip that I have would be talk with your school nurse – they can generally offer great insight and advice and could also let you shadow for volunteer hours!
Next Steps: After You Get Accepted into Nursing School
After you’ve done the hard work of getting into nursing school, here is some advice from a former two-time first-year nursing student…
1. Find Your People
You will go to hell and back with your classmates. Your friends and family that haven’t experienced nursing school won’t understand what you’re going through, but your classmates will. Find your tribe and lean on them. Form study groups, practice your assessment skills on each other, create and share study guides, etc. These people will become some of your best friends (I for one am still great friends with my nursing school classmates!).
2. Organize & Prioritize
Like I’ve said, nursing school is HARD and for good reason. People’s lives will be in your hands, it’s your responsibility to understand what you’re doing (and ask questions if you don’t know). Get a planner and write down the due dates for all upcoming assignments, tests, clinicals, etc. You’ll get a syllabus from your instructors that outlines the entire course – pay attention to it!
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3. Determine Your Method of Studying
Everyone has different learning styles so find what works best for you! Take notes by writing, typing, make flashcards, create a pneumonic, color code your notes, record and listen back lectures that you found particularly confusing. Figure out how you learn best and stick to it. Your study method doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
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4. Ask Questions
Your instructors are a great resource – use them! No question is a dumb question. What’s dumb is acting like you know something that you don’t understand. If you don’t know something, get clarification before that information is on an exam or you see it in real life. Remember, everyone was a student once. Everyone has questions.
5. Take Time for Yourself
I wish that I had listened to this piece of advice when I was in nursing school. Nursing school is a different kind of stressful, so it’s important to take some time every day to breathe! Get a workout in, meditate, go for a walk, put a facemark on, take a nap, whatever makes you unwind and relax. Remember, nursing school doesn’t last forever – you got this!
If you have any questions about getting into nursing school, make sure to leave a comment below!
IF YOU’RE IN THE THROES OF APPLYING FOR NURSING SCHOOL, DON’T MISS:
- 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Nurse
- How to Pick a Specialty When You’re in Nursing School
- How to Prepare to Become a Travel Nurse When You’re in Nursing School
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
