How competitive is it to get into a nursing school?

U.S.A. Washington

Published

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!

Hi there,

I'm not a repeat applicant, but I'm licking my wounds. I think I went in a little bit naively, but was told by faculty members that I was a very strong candidate. I don't know what happened.

To be honest, reading these posts is making me feel better.

I still have applications out for other schools on the west coast, but I wonder if I should try for somewhere on the East Coast like Hopkins...

Congratulations to you!

I'm wondering if there are other repeat-applicants to UW who are again licking their wounds of rejection right now (?)

I was bummed but also invigorated last year after being rejected by UW. I knew I was short on classes and experience, so I hit the classrooms and hospitals with the determination of getting into UW the next go-round.

Over the next year, I finished all my prerequisites with a 4.0 in both A&Ps and a 3.8 in Micro (3.86 total science GPA). I gained over 400 hours of volunteer experience in 2 local hospitals with a raving recommendation from one of the charge nurses (exp. was in an ED and a PACU). I left my career to devote myself full-time towards the goal of getting into nursing school. I'm a well-balanced person with caring and goal-oriented values. I'm a male, which I thought might help.

I also learned about accelerated BSN programs in other states for post-bacc students, so I applied to 6 of these programs as well as UW (WA has no accelerated BSN programs). I was accepted to all 6 accelerated programs, some where I competed with up to 1,000 other applicants. I was rejected again by UW.

While I'm a little disappointed, I'm also happy that I'll be attending Johns Hopkins, which will have a lovely appearance on my CV when applying to jobs and grad school. I have a relative who used to work for the WA state board of higher education, and he said that I just don't have the right skin color for UW's nursing school (I'm white).

Are there other people out there who thought they would get into UW because of a strong profile, but didn't? I'm trying to hold my head up high and remember that when people ask from which institution this great nurse acquired their education, it will be JHU, not UW!

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Don't forget about the community colleges! They usually accept every quarter and are well-known for putting great nurses out into the world! Everett CC, Shoreline CC, Mt. Vernon's CC, Bellevue, just to name a few. Check 'em out! If you have your prereqs done and have decent grades, you stand a good chance. :)

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I am glad I signed up with allnurses.com because I am getting alot of info on this RN world we all belong in but cant seem to get into fast enough! I am in OC Calif. I am almost done with my pre reqs, end of 2008 and then I apply. I will be moving to WA in the future because of my fiance'...BUT for now we are here. I was thinking of applying to the WA schools too but it seems like its the same as here to get in. We have a 2 year wait to get into the RN program. Are there any private nursing schools out in WA? Do any of you know how long the wait is? a year, 2 3?

Thanks so much!!

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I am glad I signed up with allnurses.com because I am getting alot of info on this RN world we all belong in but cant seem to get into fast enough! I am in OC Calif. I am almost done with my pre reqs, end of 2008 and then I apply. I will be moving to WA in the future because of my fiance'...BUT for now we are here. I was thinking of applying to the WA schools too but it seems like its the same as here to get in. We have a 2 year wait to get into the RN program. Are there any private nursing schools out in WA? Do any of you know how long the wait is? a year, 2 3?

Thanks so much!!:cheers:

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We have a 2 year wait to get into the RN program. Are there any private nursing schools out in WA? Do any of you know how long the wait is? a year, 2 3?

I can tell you that if you have your prerequisites complete, the wait shouldn't be too long. All I know for sure, is that Everett CC does not use a wait list. Many people who apply don't actually have all the prereqs completed.

It is important to check off/highlight the things you have done as you begin to apply to schools. If you are ready and motivated, I really think you can find a public school to attend. No sense in paying huge costs for a private school. We all take the same NCLEX in the end.

Good luck.

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Are there any private nursing schools out in WA? Do any of you know how long the wait is? a year, 2 3?

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.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Is anyone familiar with Clover Park Tech-college..they have a new LPN-RN bridge program I am being told. Does anyone know if they have a wait list???

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Specializes in Critical Care, Hospice and Palliative Care.
Is anyone familiar with Clover Park Tech-college..they have a new LPN-RN bridge program I am being told. Does anyone know if they have a wait list???

Hey there Psyknurs-

My lab partner's husband applied to this program and was accepted right before the Winter session began. Since it was so new, they were accepting applicants literally up until the last minute. I don't know if this is still the case, but it wouldn't hurt to try. Give them a call... who knows, you might be able to start very soon with their next cohort. Good luck! :up:

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Specializes in NICU.
I am glad I signed up with allnurses.com because I am getting alot of info on this RN world we all belong in but cant seem to get into fast enough! I am in OC Calif. I am almost done with my pre reqs, end of 2008 and then I apply. I will be moving to WA in the future because of my fiance'...BUT for now we are here. I was thinking of applying to the WA schools too but it seems like its the same as here to get in. We have a 2 year wait to get into the RN program. Are there any private nursing schools out in WA? Do any of you know how long the wait is? a year, 2 3?

Thanks so much!!:cheers:

Not sure about the wait, but wanted to wish you luck in getting in!

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Is anyone familiar with Clover Park Tech-college..they have a new LPN-RN bridge program I am being told. Does anyone know if they have a wait list???

Hi there,

I just read a post about your question regarind Clover park CC LPN-RN.

You mentioned there LPN-RN is new, so be aware of attending new nursing school. You should check out if the program is accredited since some hospitals only accept RN who graduate from an accredited nursing program.

Furthermore, if you're interested in transfering to a dfferent school for BSN, then the unaccredited program won't be accepted.

I got into the same thought but realizing about this accredition thing leads me to a second thought of going to an accredited school!

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I would put a plug in for Seattle University. It's located in Capitol Hill (right next to Seattle Central CC). It's pricey here, but we've got many transfers that are on the older side (our oldest is 40), though most people are 21-22 years old.

http://www.seattleu.edu/nurs

I guess if you are 21...40 would be "the older side" but there are MANY going into nursing all the time that are in their 30's, 40's and even 50's. I graduated with a wonderful women that was 55 when we graduated (although she totally did not look it....very young and fit!!!)

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Specializes in Neurosciences.

I'd like to weigh in and say, I agree with the advice about being careful of new programs. The school I am graduating from (May 3rd--yay!) is a fairly new BSN program. I will be a member of the 7th graduating class and it is just finally starting to become a more solid program .They are accredited and passed their 5 year renewal last year, but, basically, IMO, it takes at least 10 years for a school to really prove if it is a success. Something to consider: employers may not be open to considering your application if you come from a school with a poor rep. Not always the case, but a possibility.

I'm not saying don't apply, just be aware of the risks going in..

sorry if this is a ramble, it's late, I have my practicum early tomorrow and I need to head-off to bed...

Good luck!

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