How competitive is it to get into a nursing school?

[sunnyday1]

Hi Everybody! I have read many threads here and I think the advice is just great so I thought I would add my question here as well.

I am very interested in becoming a nurse but I am quite confused what it takes to get into a nursing school. I know everybody needs to have their pre-requisets but beyond that what is a determining factor?

I keep hearing these stories how difficult it is. One of my friends who is a nurse told about a woman she knows who has tried to get into a nursing school in many different places in Washington Tacoma, Shoreline and Everett to name few but hasn't had any success. The weird thing about it was that supposingly this person has gotten all A's in her pre-requisets and has previous experience. Since she hasn't had any luck here she is going to another state for a nursing school.

I think it is great that she has an option of going to another state for a school. That is really not an option for me since I am married and have kids so I need to stay here and try to get into a school here.

I also have attended in nursing advising sessions and in one of them an advisor said that if a person gets 3.0 and better on all the prerequisets it is pretty much guaranteed that they will be accepted to a nursing program.

So please do advice me what is REALLY required of a person? What is it that they are looking for in candidates? I also know that in some colleges (Everett, Shoreline) you can apply several times a year. How many times should one person try to apply to one college? When trying to get into a school does a past excperience help or is not really a factor?

I personally don't have any experience but I am considering becoming a CNA since I thought it might be helpful.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[dallet6]

Most of the responses here have been about schools in western wa. I'm curious about the eastern wa schools. I'll be attending Spokane CC. The info I got from the nursing department listed the requirements as finishing the prereqs (9 courses) with a 2.5 or higher. That's it. I have no intention of getting such poor grades, but I'm a bit confused that they only listed that. I spoke to a counselor on the phone and asked her how long it usually took to get into the program. She told me not too bad, that most of those applying now are likely to get in for Fall. I am actually having a counseling appointment with her on Thursday.

[NWNurse44]

I'm not sure what part of Washington you are heading to, but there is a private nursing school in Spokane. It used to be a part of the WSU/Intercollegiate College of Nursing but recently branched off into a school of their own. The university's name is Gonzaga University. I would imagine it's going to be extremely spendy, and they're essentially a new program so their reputation is not yet established. I have no idea how long it takes to get into there, I would guess if you had your prereq's done it wouldn't be long. Not sure if you need to be a student there already or not. I'd just find their website and give them a call, I'm a EWU/WSU grad so I'm not familiar with Gonzaga.

I'll be going to Gonzaga in Fall 08 to start up their BSN program. It will be a bit more expensive compared to other Washington programs, but resonable when put against some of the other nursing schools across the nation. I'm from Oregon and didn't get into any of the programs in the Portland area, but luckily I applied last minute to Gonzaga's and got in. (I have solid grades, a prior degree, and lots of work experience/volunteer work.) From everything I've seen thus far from Zaga, which hasn't been much mind you, they are very personal with their students. I got several emails from advisors/other faculty and a call from my advisor within a few days of accepting. I was in Spokane to see family over the weekend and decided to swing by for a visit, and they went out of their way to make sure I got to look at the facilities and answer any questions. They left me very confident in my decision to head up north. (I'm used to way more impersonal setting. My first degree was from Oregon State University where the classes were 300+ in lectures and around 30-35 for labs. There were a few smaller classes once you hit the 400 lvl)

All that said, I definitly recommend checking them out and applying. They accept two classes a year. One for Fall and the other for Spring.

[Intl86]

Everyone seems to have such great advice. I have a question regarding helping my chances to get into nursing school. I have decided I want to go to nursing school. However, I have no science background, I have an undergrad in International Relations. I will have to take the pre-reqs. and volunteer or work in the health field for experience before I apply.

My question is, I was thinking of doing a one-year master abroad (a lot cheaper than a US one) in International Health, Public Management, or International Development, not only because I am interested, but because it might help my chances in getting into nursing school. I would like to know what your thoughts are on this, and if it would be worth spending a year to get a master in one of the above (or something else) and if it would help my chances in getting in?

A masters in Spain or France is significantly cheaper than if I did a one-year master in the US..and I would love to do that, but I want to know if it really would help me get into school and if spending the living costs abroad would be worth it?

Thanks, appreciate any advice!

[GreggLucas]

There are other options. You have to ask yourself if you really want to be a nurse or do you want job in medical environment and work with patients.

Some schools offer programs in medical neurotechnology and have no limits on number of students. Offered programs include Polysomnography, Neurodiagnostic technology (EEG, Nerve Conduction Study, Evoked Potentials) and IOM ( Intraoperative Monitoring Technology) where technologist monitors patients in OR, guarding them against surgical error.

The board certified IOM Technologist can easily make 100K/yr and find employment anywhere. But work in any of the specialties also provides necessary work experience allowing the applicant better chances of acceptance to nursing or P.A. programs.

Alphaneuroscienceinstitute.com in Michigan provides regular 40 week programs in all specialties or 10 week 40hr/week intensive training program for out of State students.