Applying for Nursing School
Want to know how to apply to nursing school? This guide explains different nursing programs and offers advice on how to get into nursing schools. If you’re thinking about a nursing career or wondering how to apply to nursing school, this is a great time to start. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of registered nurse (RN) jobs is expected to increase by 6% from 2021 to 2031. This means there could be over 203,000 new RN positions.
Before you begin your nursing career, you need the right diploma or degree. Getting a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is a common way to start. If you’re interested in higher positions, you might want to consider getting a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctorate.
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You can also enter the field through programs for nursing assistants, practical or vocational nurses, and two-year associate degrees. Some people choose to go to nursing school online, which gives the same education as regular on-campus programs. Keep reading to find out how to apply to nursing school and pick a program that matches what you want to do.
What to Do Before Applying to Nursing School
Before you apply to nursing schools, check out what each school needs for admissions. If you’re an undergrad, you’ll need your high school transcripts. MSN students should contact their old schools for their official undergrad transcripts.
You’ll also need to take the right entrance exam. This might be the ACT, SAT, or GRE, depending on the program. Many programs ask for a specific nursing entrance exam, like the HESI, ATI, TEAS, NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX), Nursing Entrance Test (NET), or Kaplan Admissions Test. You’ll probably need to send one or more letters of recommendation with your application too. Feeling stressed? We have a guide that breaks down when to do each step in the nursing school application process.
What Do You Need for Nursing School?
Choose Your Nursing Path
“Nurse” is a big word that covers lots of jobs: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN/LVN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Think about each job type and decide what you want to do before you go to nursing school. Your education needs depend on which job you want. Lots of nurses, especially APRNs, decide to focus on a special area or take care of certain kinds of patients. You can read about different nursing specialties here.
In the next part, you’ll see that what you need to learn changes a lot depending on the job. Entry-level nurses don’t always need a full bachelor’s degree to get certified or licensed. But APRNs have to do more learning before they can get a master’s degree and a nursing license.
Pick a Nursing Degree
Choosing a degree is easier if you know what job you want. CNAs and LPN/LVNs can go to school for those jobs. RNs can get an associate or bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree helps you become a nurse practitioner or other special nurse, like a nurse executive, informatics specialist, nurse educator, or public health nurse.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certificate or Diploma
There are lots of reasons people become CNAs. They help patients with simple tasks like bathing and moving around. An LPN/LVN or RN watches over them while they do things like check vital signs or take care of wounds. But they usually can’t give medical care alone.
CNA training is shorter than other nursing programs. Most take about 4 to 16 weeks. You can find CNA programs at community or technical colleges, hospitals, Red Cross centers, and even high schools.
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN/LVN) Certificate or Diploma
After you finish a program, you get a certificate or diploma as an LPN/LVN. These programs usually take about a year, but can last from 7 to 24 months. After that, you have to pass the NCLEX-PN test to work legally in your state.
LPN/LVNs help patients with normal care, like putting in catheters or checking vital signs. You can read about the five best-paying LPN/LVN jobs here, or check out this page to explore five different paths for these professionals.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
If you want to be an RN fast, getting an associate degree in nursing (ADN) is the quickest way. You’ll learn basic nursing skills in about two years. After that, you have to pass the NCLEX-RN test before you can work.
A lot of employers now want to hire RNs with a bachelor’s degree. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) even says that RNs should get a four-year degree.
BSN vs. MSN: How to Choose as an RN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
For many jobs, a BSN is the lowest level of education employers want for RNs. You usually need four years to finish a bachelor’s degree. After that, you have to pass the NCLEX-RN test to get licensed.
A BSN program teaches you more about nursing and taking care of patients than an ADN program. Most people also take general education classes for the first two years. According to the AACN, a BSN helps you do more complicated things than an ADN.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN degree gets you ready for bigger nursing roles, like being a nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist. These nurses have more responsibilities than RNs. In many places, they can even diagnose patients and tell them what medicine to take. An MSN can also help you become a boss.
Usually, it takes about two years to get a master’s degree, but some programs let you graduate faster. If you have an ADN and not a BSN, you might still be able to get into an RN-to-MSN program. Those programs usually last three years.
Doctoral Degree in Nursing
Getting a doctoral degree is the highest level of education you can get as a nurse. You can finish in about six years, and you’ll learn how to do your own research and study special nursing topics.
You can pick a doctor of nursing science (DNS), doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), doctor of nursing practice (DNP), or doctor of education in nursing (Ed.D.). DNP programs are popular for nurses who want to do high-level clinical work, be in charge of things, or do research.
Getting Into Nursing School
You’ll need different things to get into nursing school, depending on the program. Every school has different rules, so make sure you know what your school needs before you apply.
Here are some things most schools need when you apply for nursing school:
– A form to apply
– Your last degree
(a high school diploma if you’re starting a bachelor’s program, or a bachelor’s degree if you’re going to grad school)
– A GPA that’s good enough for the program you want
– An essay about yourself or why you want to go to nursing school
– Letters from people who recommend you
– Proof of any volunteer work
– Your test scores from the right entrance exams
– Money for the application fee
– A talk with the school’s people to see if they like you
Nursing Volunteer Work
Some nursing programs want you to do volunteer work, which could be from 100 to several hundred hours. Doing volunteer work can also make your nursing application stand out.
You can look for chances to volunteer at hospitals or places for senior care near you. There might be other volunteer jobs with the Red Cross, at shelters for homeless people, or in health groups in your community. If you’re feeling adventurous and have the time, you might even think about spending your summer volunteering for a healthcare group in another country.
Nursing School Interviews
Some nursing schools want you to talk to one or more teachers as part of their admission process. Some schools need you to come to campus for this, but others do interviews online.
An interview might sound scary, but being ready can help you not be nervous. You might not know all the questions they’ll ask, but they might want to know why you want to be a nurse or how you’d handle a hard situation. They might also ask you about yourself and what you want to do in nursing.
There are other things you can do to get ready for your interview. Show up a bit early and wear nice clothes. Do some research so you know about the school and what’s happening in nursing now.
Nursing School Entrance Exams
Most colleges need all undergrads to send in SAT or ACT scores. If you’re applying to a master’s or doctoral program, you’ll probably have to send in GRE scores. But some nursing programs don’t need these test scores for grad school.
Nursing schools might also want you to do special tests that look at things like how you talk to people, think about problems, and know healthcare topics. Some tests are the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (NLN PAX) or the Nursing Entrance Test (NET), which are about math and science. If you want to be a CNA or LPN/LVN, you might need to do the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS), which checks how well you know science, math, and reading.
Thankfully, there are study materials to help you get ready for these tests. Companies have books and stuff online, including practice tests, so you can feel good on test day. Just give yourself plenty of time to study.
Questions About Applying to Nursing School
How can I make it more likely I’ll get into nursing school?
You can make it more likely by doing math and science classes, especially biology and human anatomy, and keeping a high GPA. Starting as a CNA or LPN can also help you get skills. You could also volunteer at a hospital to learn about nursing and healthcare.
When should I apply for nursing school?
Different schools have different deadlines, but sooner is better. If you’re thinking about starting in the fall, apply the winter before. If you need recommendation letters, ask your references at least a month before you plan to send your nursing application.
Is it hard to get into nursing school?
It depends on the school and how you see it. Usually, CNA and LPN/LVN programs need less strict requirements. Some nursing schools might want higher GPAs and test scores than others.
What do I need to know before applying to nursing school?
Writing essays, getting recommendation letters, and studying for tests all take a lot of time and work. Plus, nursing school can cost a lot. Check with the school to see if they have any financial help.
Can I study nursing online?
Yes. Many schools have nursing programs online, so you can do your work on the internet. But usually, you need to go to a real place to do hands-on training. Most schools let you do this at a hospital or clinic near where you live.
Paying for Nursing School
Paying for nursing school can be tough. CNA and LPN/LVN programs usually don’t cost a lot, but undergrad and grad school can be expensive.
Thankfully, there are ways to help you pay. Look for scholarships from your school, groups of nurses, nonprofit groups, and other places. You can find scholarships on the internet, and you can start looking right here.
You might also get federal grants or try a work-study job. Many students take loans from the government and have to pay them back after they finish school. To find out about this, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Nursing Volunteer Work
Some nursing programs want you to do volunteer work, which could be from 100 to several hundred hours. Doing volunteer work can also make your nursing application stand out.
You can look for chances to volunteer at hospitals or places for senior care near you. There might be other volunteer jobs with the Red Cross, at shelters for homeless people, or in health groups in your community. If you’re feeling adventurous and have the time, you might even think about spending your summer volunteering for a healthcare group in another country.
Using Nursing Mnemonics for memory in Nursing School
Nursing School Interviews
Some nursing schools want you to talk to one or more teachers as part of their admission process. Some schools need you to come to campus for this, but others do interviews online.
An interview might sound scary, but being ready can help you not be nervous. You might not know all the questions they’ll ask, but they might want to know why you want to be a nurse or how you’d handle a hard situation. They might also ask you about yourself and what you want to do in nursing.
There are other things you can do to get ready for your interview. Show up a bit early and wear nice clothes. Do some research so you know about the school and what’s happening in nursing now.
Nursing School Entrance Exams
Most colleges need all undergrads to send in SAT or ACT scores. If you’re applying to a master’s or doctoral program, you’ll probably have to send in GRE scores. But some nursing programs don’t need these test scores for grad school.
Nursing schools might also want you to do special tests that look at things like how you talk to people, think about problems, and know healthcare topics. Some tests are the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (NLN PAX) or the Nursing Entrance Test (NET), which are about math and science. If you want to be a CNA or LPN/LVN, you might need to do the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS), which checks how well you know science, math, and reading.
Thankfully, there are study materials to help you get ready for these tests. Companies have books and stuff online, including practice tests, so you can feel good on test day. Just give yourself plenty of time to study.
Questions About Applying to Nursing School
How can I make it more likely I’ll get into nursing school?
You can make it more likely by doing math and science classes, especially biology and human anatomy, and keeping a high GPA. Starting as a CNA or LPN can also help you get skills. You could also volunteer at a hospital to learn about nursing and healthcare.
When should I apply for nursing school?
Different schools have different deadlines, but sooner is better. If you’re thinking about starting in the fall, apply the winter before. If you need recommendation letters, ask your references at least a month before you plan to send your nursing application.
Is it hard to get into nursing school?
It depends on the school and how you see it. Usually, CNA and LPN/LVN programs need less strict requirements. Some nursing schools might want higher GPAs and test scores than others.
What do I need to know before applying to nursing school?
Writing essays, getting recommendation letters, and studying for tests all take a lot of time and work. Plus, nursing school can cost a lot. Check with the school to see if they have any financial help.
Can I study nursing online?
Yes. Many schools have nursing programs online, so you can do your work on the internet. But usually, you need to go to a real place to do hands-on training. Most schools let you do this at a hospital or clinic near where you live.
Paying for Nursing School
Paying for nursing school can be tough. CNA and LPN/LVN programs usually don’t cost a lot, but undergrad and grad school can be expensive. Thankfully, there are ways to help you pay. Look for scholarships from your school, groups of nurses, nonprofit groups, and other places. You can find scholarships on the internet, and you can start looking right here.
You might also get federal grants or try a work-study job. Many students take loans from the government and have to pay them back after they finish school. To find out about this, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
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