Trying to get into Nursing School

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

It is very difficult to get into nursing school. Because nursing school is very tough. No, graduating with another degree is not the hard part. Nursing school will be one of the most difficult things you will ever do. This is where google is your friend and just start going through different schools. Out of state tuition is very expensive. I would call and talk to admissions officers a different schools you are considering and see what you need to do. There is really no way we on an internet forum can do this for you.

pinksapphire · Jun 14, 2014

Don't overlook community colleges.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

Sometimes it's the *time* that you get into that can help sway things in your favor. At my school (a cal-state), the fall qtr is exceptionally competetitve as we have people not only in the school already but those looking to transfer applying as well. The winter qtr, however, is not nearly as competetive as the trend swings more in the opposite way -- and, according to how the cohort behind me is doing, it is a reflection of what they all collectively brought to the table. If you can seriously kick butt on your TEAS [seriously, the TEAS is very elementary and there is no reason -- absolutely none (!) -- that anyone freshly coming out of their pre-reqs doesn't get in the mid 90s] and have some strong letters of recommendation, I would still give it a shot. Don't sell yourself short and just try. Also, don't forget about the community colleges entirely -- they're worth a shot, too. Good luck! By the way, do you know what your pre-req GPA is? Sometimes that is weighed a little more heavily than your overall GPA. If you got a C in history but aced both A&Ps and micro, that says something, doesnt it?

PapaBearRN, BSN · Jun 15, 2014

If you really want to be an RN I wouldn't overlook community colleges. Your GPA isn't exactly accelerated BSN material.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 15, 2014

Sometimes it's the *time* that you get into that can help sway things in your favor. At my school (a cal-state), the fall qtr is exceptionally competetitve as we have people not only in the school already but those looking to transfer applying as well. The winter qtr, however, is not nearly as competetive as the trend swings more in the opposite way -- and, according to how the cohort behind me is doing, it is a reflection of what they all collectively brought to the table. If you can seriously kick butt on your TEAS [seriously, the TEAS is very elementary and there is no reason -- absolutely none (!) -- that anyone freshly coming out of their pre-reqs doesn't get in the mid 90s] and have some strong letters of recommendation, I would still give it a shot. Don't sell yourself short and just try. Also, don't forget about the community colleges entirely -- they're worth a shot, too. Good luck! By the way, do you know what your pre-req GPA is? Sometimes that is weighed a little more heavily than your overall GPA. If you got a C in history but aced both A&Ps and micro, that says something, doesnt it?

While the Teas does test basic knowledge to think everyone fresh out if prereqs should get in the mid 90's is a little insane. I got a 78 fresh out of my prereqs. I did not have to take chemistry which is what a lot of the science was. Plus, the English portion had things I was never taught on there. Everyone is different and I was very happy with my score.

kplp1111 · Jun 19, 2014

Lewis clark state college lewiston idaho, crappy, crappy town. Excellent school. 50-60 apply every semester and 48 are accepted. Average gap accepted is 3.0-.2. High nclex pass rate 98-99%

queserasera, RN · Jun 19, 2014

To me, In the end this is a simple matter of supply and demand. The insane wave of people interested in becoming nurses has not been met with new nursing schools opening/ current programs expanding. That being said, there is an intense competition to get into schools. Imagine you're on the college admissions board and you have 500 students to fill 80 seats. Low grades just don't cut it these days in areas where demand for nursing education is high.

Community colleges, associate degrees, even LVN schools may be a good place to start. Schools with 2 year long waitlists, get on that waitlist, because while you're looking for another program you can been killing time on that. With a 3.0 GPA in California I think experience (even from being a CNA for awhile) will be the factor that could help you should you intend to pursue higher education (like bachelors, masters, etc).

dt70 · Jun 20, 2014

I just took the Teas test. It was exactly like the online practice tests. Take one of them and make sure match your test time to the allowed time (online has no limit). Go through the test the second time and just review the ones you got wrong the first time. Getting a 100% on same test second time has no value.

If math skills poor, use purple math or keshwani prep on youtube. If science, use chem4kids for bio, chem, physics, earth science (it should take about an hour or so each section).

I just did science pre-reqs, so I thought that was easy on the test. I was able to raise my science score to 97.3% from 86% on practice test. Experimental questions were easy to spot. Deductive reasoning does not help. Just pick an answer and move on.

I haven't taken a grammar class in 25 years so my score dropped to 50% range from 60% range on practice test. Reviewing that information was unsuccessful.

In short, take practice test and expect same results on actual test unless you can remediate your weak areas.

MidWestGal · Jun 20, 2014

I just had my nursing advisor appointment for Ivy Tech Community College here in Indiana. I am originally from Northern Cali, where you are so I am familiar with the colleges that you listed. When I was there nursing school seemed pretty difficult to get into because of the waiting lists, some up to 5 yrs long. Now that I am here in Indiana, the programs are still super competitive but seem like I will have a better chance of getting in. However, I will tell you this... my advisor told me to aim for ALL As in every pre-req class and a high score on the TEAS V. So a high GPA would be best, then A&P holds a 60% weight, Eng Comp a 20% weight and Psych 20%. That's how they calculate everything here, on a point system. I will be finished with my math req by the end of Fall sem '14, so I am waiting to take A&P I until the sem after that because so many people have a hard time with it.

Are there any classes that you can retake to raise your GPA? Good luck on the TEAS, as your score will need to be high. Keep us updated! :)

MidWestGal · Jun 20, 2014

Did you use the practice test and study manual/guide at atitesting.com or something else?

What was your final TEAS score?

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2014

I just had my nursing advisor appointment for Ivy Tech Community College here in Indiana. I am originally from Northern Cali, where you are so I am familiar with the colleges that you listed. When I was there nursing school seemed pretty difficult to get into because of the waiting lists, some up to 5 yrs long. Now that I am here in Indiana, the programs are still super competitive but seem like I will have a better chance of getting in. However, I will tell you this... my advisor told me to aim for ALL As in every pre-req class and a high score on the TEAS V. So a high GPA would be best, then A&P holds a 60% weight, Eng Comp a 20% weight and Psych 20%. That's how they calculate everything here, on a point system. I will be finished with my math req by the end of Fall sem '14, so I am waiting to take A&P I until the sem after that because so many people have a hard time with it.
Are there any classes that you can retake to raise your GPA? Good luck on the TEAS, as your score will need to be high. Keep us updated! :)

I was accepted in Ivy Tech Muncie campus for fall 2014. I had all A's in the prereqs. You get 30 points a piece for the A&P's, 15 for English 111, and 15 for Psych 101. I was told to get at least a 75 on the Teas and I got a 78. I only know of 3 other people who applied to my region that got in the 80's and above. That doesn't mean others didn't but I know I had one of the higher scores. They will also give you a point for taking all of your prereqs there.

I took A&P II with 4 other classes last fall and had no issues with it. Don't be scared of A&P. I didn't think it was as hard as everyone made it out to be. I took it with micro. Last semester I took Advanced Physiology. You have to take it with A&P I and II if you are ever looking to transfer to a 4 year college. If you only take I and II then it is not transferrable. But everyone said how hard it was and I ended up with a 96% in that class. I took everything at the Anderson campus and I really like it there. I am hoping a seat will open up and I can go to the program there instead of Muncie.