Hi there! Welcome to my blog NPforLife where I talk about all things nursing. From how
to become a nurse, to how to live your best life as a nurse.
In this post I am talking about how to choose the right nursing school or program that
best suits you and your career goals.
First bit of advice, the first time around (and hopefully your only time around) is to
select a few schools (if you can) to submit your application.
But, I understand you may need to choose a school based on your current
geographical location. If you only have one nursing school close by, well there you go.
If you live in or around a major metroplex with a medical center, chances are you will
have more than a few schools to choose from that are close by.
ALERT!! If you are planning to move to another state to attend nursing school it is
imperative that you understand the implications of your state license if you move out of
that state for your job. It’s called the Nurse Licensure Compact (NCL). Here is a
website you could research about this concept: “Nurses & The NLC
https://nursecompact.com/how-it-works/nurses-and-the-nlc.page
Make sure the school has the program you want. There can be variation from school
to school with several different program options. Online, part-time and accelerated as I
already mentioned. And not all schools offer the same degrees.
For example, if you already have an idea you want to be a Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetist (CNRA) I would choose a school that has that program.
TIP!! If you get your BSN at the same school you are more than likely to be admitted to
their CRNA program since they already know you! Not a hard rule, just a
recommendation!
Check the prereqs!! You really need to do this early in the process so you have time
to sync up your degree with the prerequisites list. In general the required courses will be
similar between schools, especially those in the same state.
Online courses and night classes at a local community college courses are typically
very easy and feasible to complete even if you are working full time. Get started quickly
on any classes you will need.
If you are still taking a course when it is time to apply most schools will accept you on
the contingency that you pass so don’t miss any application deadlines for this reason.
Discuss this with the admissions office.
NOTE GPA REQUIREMENTS: Also with regards to your prereqs, you must know the
minimum GPA requirement to apply and then I would understand what is actually
competitive. Make sure you make GOOD GRADES in those prereqs!!
Now. It’s time to APPLY!
- Know your application dates
- Gather the necessary documents
- Pass the nursing school entrance exam
- Pay the application fee and fill out the application
Each school will have a unique set of requirements so of course follow your school’s
process.
- KNOW YOUR APPLICATION DATES
Each school will have different terms of entrance. Term means Fall, Spring or
Summer. Yes, some schools admit all three terms. So each Term will have a date
the application is OPEN and then the DEADLINE. Expect these to be months in
advance of the term. For example for Fall, the deadline will most likely be the
preceding March or April - GATHER YOUR REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Prerequisite transcripts for any previous and required coursework, entrance
exam certificate, personal statement or anything your school requires. For
prereqs, this is where each school will have cut off dates for how “old” a prereq
can be. Like for some coursework it may not matter (liberal arts classes) but for
others (statistics, nutrition, anatomy, physiology) they will most likely need to be
within 5 years or so. You will need to check with the admission office on the
particulars. I have personal experience with this so ask me my story!! - NURSING SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMS
Each school will also have a particular entrance exam requirement. For example
the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is required for many schools. This
is a test to assess for basic academic skills - PAY THE FEES and APPLY!
Application fees add up. This is where a stash of cash comes in. Application
fees add up! If it’s been a while (uh like for me)
A bit about your personal statement: I would draft answers to the following questions.
You may be asked to either submit this online with your application or you may have to
hand write this during an initial interview process (this happened to me!)
So my advice is to start working on this as you go but here are a few example questions
you could be asked to write about:
Why you want to become a nurse?
Why should (we) choose you for our program?
How do you intend to pay for school?
Long Term goals?
Describe a life experience that has impacted you.
Discussion of health-related experience.
Relevant work/volunteer experience.
Personal strengths and weaknesses.
Personal experiences that may have affected grades (please explain any
interruptions in education).
You can see how this is a big process. You need to know yourself. Decide how you may
be different or unique to other applicants.
The university based schools are competitive. Your GPA needs to be above a 3.5 in my
opinion. You may not get in the first try.
But, YOU GOT THIS. And I can help you get there!
Kindly,
Kim
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