how to be competitive to Nursing School admissions.

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

So I have excessive college credit; im like one core class away from a psychology degree (B.A.) and was planning on becoming a paramedic to work while I raised my gpa to apply for a PA program. Anywho, the paramedic program I was going to attend just doubled in price, yikes. I do not want a career in ems although I do love it. I applied before my emt class and A n P lab at Louisiana Tech for their two year nursing program and was declined; I meet the requirements to apply, but I do not know whats competitive to their program. The lady I spoke with said 100 students apply and they take 40; well that seems like good odds. Will me being an EMT help? the application asks about volunteer hours, being an lpn or cna, Should I become a cna first? I applied for an ER tech job maybe that will strengthen my application. My backup school is the community college but Im not sure if I can apply this year, online it says 5 classes are needed before application which are included on the admission rubric, i have those, but another section says I need an additional one that is not even on the rubric before applying. I am lost on how to become more competitive with out just taking another year of college to raise my science gpa.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

If they say LPN or CNA will give you improved chances (both are nursing theory/model based) then that's the recommendation. Volunteering in a nursing home or hospital (not a direct care opportunity but exposure to the healthcare world). You could also look into ABSN programs and finish your BA. Know that if you have more than 150% of credits for the degree you risk eligibility for financial aid (associates are 60 credits if you have 90 credits you may lose eligibility, 120 for bachelor's, 150-180 loses eligibility per federal guidelines)

EMT has little crossover to nursing aside from quick assessment. It's a medical model with field staff that work under physician directed protocols. Some EMTs & paramedics have difficulty transitioning to nursing (others make a seamless transition) because they are used to being incident command in the field and are not prepared for the holistic nursing model and hierarchy of care.

Thanks I did not even consider being a cut off although I am not on federal student aid, I am using a state scholarship. From my understanding, I have 4 years or 8 semesters to utilize my tuition being paid for and I have one year left of that. I would be paying for the paramedic program out of pocket to avoid student debt. To be an LPN in my area would be 18 months which is far to long to get a leg up into a registered nursing program, I will set up advising appointments with both schools just to see how my gpa is weighted and what they are looking for specifically that can strengthen my application, thank you.

I attend Delta Community college & am applying for the nursing program in the fall. When you mentioned the extra class, were referring to the intro into health science class? If so, I'm not even sure it's needed to apply. I've gotten mixed messages about it. One of the nursing advisors said I didn't need it, while another said I did. Yet there are people who are just now taking it & they're about to graduate.

As far as being competitive, I've heard Delta is pretty competitive because so many people want to go since it's only a 2 year program. I'm not sure how many apply each time but they only accept 40. Im sure it differs from college to college though.

I'm not sure what your grades are, but if by some chance you have all of the classes I would definitely give it a shot & apply.

Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

95% of it will be your GPA. If not like 99% of it. All these things you want to volunteer for etc..that is fine, but really the GPA is what matters. Are you a military veteran? Many schools will look favorably on that when you apply. Other than that you have got to have a competitive GPA.

I am applying for Delta too, on the admissions rubric I have 85/100 but I still do not know if that is competitive. I talked to the dean last year and he showed me the statistics on the students that got in and I saw were they did admit someone with a 2.5 GPA so I am guessing that 85/100 is probably competitive, they just did really well on the TEAS. I hit a 79 on the teas yesterday, although I wanted it to be higher, I hate that delta lumps anything over 80 as what 40 points?

I am applying for Delta too, on the admissions rubric I have 85/100 but I still do not know if that is competitive. I talked to the dean last year and he showed me the statistics on the students that got in and I saw were they did admit someone with a 2.5 GPA so I am guessing that 85/100 is probably competitive, they just did really well on the TEAS. I hit a 79 on the teas yesterday, although I wanted it to be higher, I hate that delta lumps anything over 80 as what 40 points?

i believe it's pretty competitive. I spoke to one of my friends who is about to graduate & said I shouldn't have anything to worry about & I scored a 82.5 on the rubric. I have a 3.8 in my pre nursing reqs & scored a 71 on the TEAS. Both stinkin times I took it lol

i believe it's pretty competitive. I spoke to one of my friends who is about to graduate & said I shouldn't have anything to worry about & I scored a 82.5 on the rubric. I have a 3.8 in my pre nursing reqs & scored a 71 on the TEAS. Both stinkin times I took it lol

Good Job, hopefully we will run into each other in January lol I just asked a girl I know in the program and she said her class average (she got in last year) was a 76 so fingers crossed.

Good Job, hopefully we will run into each other in January lol I just asked a girl I know in the program and she said her class average (she got in last year) was a 76 so fingers crossed.

I'm sure we'll be fine! Good luck!

+ Add a Comment