What would look good for admittance to the nursing program?

RN 2005 · Aug 5, 2003

Jason,

Just wanted to say welcome! I see this is your first post. I am just starting the nursing program this fall and have NO outside experience so I have virtually no advice for you. Sorry! I am sure you will have plenty of helpful comments in no time though - this is an excellent place to come for advice!

Good luck to you.

camkib · Aug 5, 2003

Hi Jason,

and welcome! Make sure that you do your very best in your classes. In alot of programs GPA is THE most important factor for acceptance.

Wishing you lots of success! :)

bob007cat · Aug 5, 2003

If you havn't tacken your act or even if you have, a high score goes along way. You can take the act as many times as you want. Try to get at least a 22 or higher. If you score at least a 22 you should also receive a decent scholarship. your GPA is also very important. My school dose there acceptance based on a point system. you would receive up to 4 pts for your GPA and 4 pts for your ACT ( a total of 8 pts). You also need to get as many of your pre req's out of the way. I would suggest that if you take say A&P (which is time consuming) that you try to take some easiar classes that go towards your nursing degree such as theatre appreciation ,English comp 1 etc...Try not to waste time taking any classes that will not help you in nursing the more you get out of the way now the less you will have to deal with when you start the program. Remember that the acceptance to nursing is very competitive so give it your all. Welcome and good luck.

Jen2 · Aug 5, 2003

Hello and congratulations on deciding to journey into the wonderful world of nursing school. I won't be starting my ADN program until Sept 2, but I have a few tips that I can share with you:

1. I think that starting as a CNA is wonderful, I don't know about your school, but my program shows a great interest in students who are CNA's, LPN's etc. Having a medical title and working in a hospital, can help you a great deal with tuition, experience and gaining admission. I work as a phlebotomist in a hospital and will only be working 24 hours a week when I start clinicals and I get $1,000 a year for tuition reimbersement, which helps out a great deal.

2. Try to get all of your important sciences out of the way first, such as A&P, Chem, Micro, etc. Nursing programs usually put a greater emphasis on if you've completed these classes, as well as how well you did. GPA is important, but my program looks more at how well you did in these particular classes as apposed to the cumulative GPA.

3. Get to know the instructors, even before you start taking nursing classes. Introduce yourself to them and tell them your plans. They will love the enthusiasm and remember your face when you get there.

4. While you are taking pre-reqs, you will hear many rumors from others trying to get into the program. Just remember, nursing school is very competitive and some are just spitting into the wind. Do your best and you will be fine. Last semester there was even a rumor going around that they were only accepting people with a 4.0 average. Guess what? I had a 3.7 and got in.

5. Come to this board often for advice or information. It is a wonderful source. I wish I had found it much sooner.

I wish you the very best of luck. Let us know how your first semester goes. You are about to go on an increduble journey.

Nightcrawler, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2003

The two best things that you can do are to get A's in all of your prerequisite classes and to get your CNA!!!!!

The higher your GPA, especially in the sciences, the better your chances. Also you might want to take a extra semester before you apply so that you have ALL of your general ed classes out of the way before you start your program. Believe me, nursing classes are hard enough without having to do the reading for a history class.

Do not be afraid of taking your core science classes from the professor that everyone is afraid of. If a professor has a reputation for being picky and hard, then that is generally the professor that you want to go with. That is the professor that will demand that you learn your stuff, and you will be better off in the long run. I know people who turned their schedule inside out in order to take the "easy" professor who did well in the class, but do not have nearly the grasp on the information that I do. Remember, the nursing program knows from years of experience which professors prepare their students the best for the program. I do not doubt that when it comes down to the wire that those type of factors count!!!

As for getting your CNA (if you have time after all of this! :eek: ), having it will give you a huge leg up on your first semester. You will need all of the help that you can get. It is also a flag to the nursing program that you are serious about healthcare. Because of the previous training, you have already been exposed to much of the "dark side" , linen changes, baths, etc... Volunteering is good, but I think that if you focus on your grades, get your CNA, and work on completing your general ed classes, that you will be well armed for the most stringent of admissions committees. Good luck! :kiss :nurse:

Jason G · Aug 5, 2003

Thank you all for the feedback. I really appreciate it, it helped me a lot.

I can't wait to get in the medical field and help people!

Thanks again..

SteelTownRN · Aug 5, 2003

I sit on an admissions committee at a nursing program. We look at GPA heavily, almost exclusively. Especially the sciences, which ahve been shown to be high predictors of NCLEX success. So, get those A's in Micro, A&P, Chemistry, Biology. Don't retake many courses, as we look at that, too. (Would you want a nurse that took 3 times to pass a science course to take care of you?)

The other things that you mention, getting a job at a hospital, letters of recommendation, etc...are much better suited for using when you apply for a nursing position.

Right now, focus on grades in your prerequisite courses.