Advice or tips for getting accepted

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2011

I wouldn't worry about the speed at which you get into nursing school. You'll want to be as prepared as possible when you start. I am surprised that you will be able to apply for nursing school after only a summer of pre-reqs. Our school requires a certain level of reading, writing, math, science before even beginning the A&P classes, micro, nutrition, psychology..... and then there are the other general ed classes. Whether you begin an LPN or RN depends on what you are ready for.

km27047 · Apr 23, 2011

Well I am just beginning pre reqs in summer; I will continue taking them fall 2011, and spring 2012 but where I live there is only 2 pre requisites for the program, then you can continue taking other classes to get ready for the nursing program.

Al.ginger · Apr 23, 2011

as for a getting into the program - they are all slightly different. One program I applied for require a 3 months full-time experience as a CNA. The other program require A&P to be done prior to applying. The other one require one specific class "" medical dosage to be taken prior to applying. Talk to your college and see what they exactly want from you

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2011

I got into nursing school on my first try, and I was an early high school graduate to boot. I had a pretty impressive resume, but my college GPA was lower than what I wanted, because of one bad grade from an online college class taken while I was in high school, and I wasn't sure if I would be accepted going in. When I applied I had over 1,700 hours of volunteer service in a hospital, I had scored a 1900 on the SAT, I had a 3.8 high school GPA and a 3.0 college GPA, I had three letters of reference, one from an ER physician, and two from critical care nurses, I had scored in the top one percent of the consideration group on the PSB-RN (our nursing school admissions exam), and I had all my prerequisites, except three, finished. When the semester ends in May, I will be done with all my prerequisites, and I will be waiting for the RN program to begin in August. Thus far I have taken the following courses at the college level: Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Intro to Sociology, Intro to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, English 111, Latin I, Latin II, Chemistry 111, College Algebra, Precalculus, Chemistry 112, Chemistry 114, and French I. When this semester is over in May I will have completed the following courses: Humanities II, Microbiology, and Developmental Psychology. In the summer I am taking two extra classes to boost my GPA, and they are: Philosophy 240, and English 113. Getting into nursing school is highly competitive, and that truly is a shame. With the nursing shortage that we have, getting in shouldn't be nearly as hard as it is. To increase your chances of getting in, you have to make yourself look as competitive as possible. This means that you need a high GPA, outstanding letters of reference, high test scores, and an impressive academic resume. Nursing programs aren't just looking to see if you are good in the sciences (although I will admit that making As in your science classes goes a long way), they want to see a student who is well-rounded and does fairly well in all subjects. It is also helpful if you have some hospital, or medical, volunteer work under your belt. Not only does volunteer work make you look great, it's a great educational experience, and it allows you to meet doctors and nurses who can provide you with those outstanding reference letters. Also, take as many prerequisites as you can prior to applying for the nursing program. My program didn't mandate that every prerequisite had to be finished before application, but they gave preference to those of us who had completed the most prerequisite courses prior to applying. Finally, if you have to write a letter, or go through an interview about why you want to be a nurse, have a good reason, be yourself, and be genuine. Don't lie or make something up because it sounds good. Always be true to yourself, always try your best, and never give up, even if you don't get accepted to a program on your first try. Good luck! Also, as a side note, in North Carolina, we were required to have our CNA I certification before we could apply to any nursing program in the state. Make sure that this isn't a requirement in your state, and if it is, get your CNA I immediately.

Student4_life · Apr 24, 2011

Universal Transfer Tips:

-High GPA (doesn't have to be a 4.0, but put in the extra effort to get those A's when you can).

-Good Letters of Rec, stand out in your classes, go to office hours in the sciences with labs to discuss lab procedures before class, do the extra credit that no one ever does because its hard and is worth very little points.

-Crush your entrance test the first time around, go buy the McGraw-Hill guide

-Vol work out the waz-zoo, not only will it help you get into school but it is also very rewarding (as soon as I finish this I am off to the Humane Society to pick up doggy poo, yep on Easter Sunday).

-Really put alot of effort into your essay, make it something that people want to read and get it looked at by someone who is strong in English. (I know you didn't say you had an essay, but these are general tips)

sanu22 · Apr 25, 2011

good GPA and hesi score!!!