Admission Criteria for Getting Into Nursing School in 2023

Life is all about making decisions and choosing ways. The closer you get to graduation, the more exciting and confusing things get. Exciting as you’re getting one step closer to adult life. Confusing, as you may not be sure about the decisions you’ve already made or are about to make. 

If you already have a prospective road map of your life, you might wonder whether your chosen education and subsequent career path suit you. If you haven’t decided on your education and career path, you’re haunted by questions. What education to pursue? Which college to pick? And everyone comes to the rescue with their suggestions and advice. 

Some suggest getting an education based on the earning potential of the job it can allow you to land. Others would advise you to make a decision based on your passions. Both of the suggestions are useful. But it’s not easy to decide if things you’re passionate about don’t guarantee a stable income. 

And there are other things that you need to consider. You’re going to live in the dormitory or rent a room. The latter option requires looking for a part-time job, which means struggling with maintaining a work/study balance. You can always get essay writing help from online services. It helps you dedicate more time to work or have an extra hour of sleep. 

But then you imagine yourself once again googling “do homework for me” and wonder what level of knowledge you’re going to get that way. What if you’re going to be unfit for the job by studying that way? And even if that’s going to be okay, what if your job won’t provide you with a stable income? In the end, what’s the most common profession in demand that guarantees steady pay? 

A short answer, in case you like helping people, is — a nurse. This occupation has a lot of benefits, as it’s in high demand. Aside from being a perfect choice for those who enjoy helping people, it’s a well-paid job, with an annual salary ranging between $60,000 and $80,000. Other benefits of the profession include:

• Flexible Schedule
• Trusted Profession
• Diverse Opportunities

Typically, nurses work three twelve-hour shifts and have four consecutive days off.  Yes, long work days may not sound appealing, but consider having four days off. Speaking of opportunities, you don’t have to work only at hospitals. As a nurse, you can work anywhere from cruise ships to military bases. So, if that sounds suggesting enough, let’s check out the admission criteria for nursing schools without any further ado.

Grade Requirements

Of course, there are grade requirements if you want to enroll in nursing school. Thus, you need to either graduate from high school or earn the GED. Mind that particular nursing schools may have specific requirements. In other words, it’s better to consult the admission counselor of the school you’re interested in. But, in general, the requirements are more or less the same. 

So, first, you need at least one year of high school biology. The acceptable minimum grade is C, but some schools will require at least B. The education also requires accomplishing one year of high school chemistry with the same result. Also, you will need two years of college-preparatory math with C or B results. The applicants, depending on the school, should have a GPA of between 2.75 and 3.2. And you need to pass the SATs or TEAS. 

Decide on the Nursing Program

You need to consider the aspects you would consider when deciding on any college. Whether you want to study at a large public university or prefer a private college somewhere in a small town. Can you study away from home? Are you ready to live in a dormitory, or are you planning on renting a room or an apartment? 

But the real decision you should make is the nursing program. You can choose between ADN or BSN. ADN is an Associate Degree in Nursing, while BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While ADN has its benefits, like less competition and allowing you not to commit to a four-year program, it is becoming less and less popular. 

There’s a push for all graduates to have a bachelor’s degree, which means that applying for a BSN will increase your chances of getting hired. Simply put, if you’re sure you want to be a nurse, you should opt for BSN. If you want to try things out, just to see if it fits you, opt for ADN. Your credits from ADN will transfer to any other degree program if you decide to switch your education path. 

Complete the Application

Upon deciding on the program and college, you should start preparing to apply. Once again, each school may have specific requirements for the application. Thus, you should consult the admission counselor to make sure that you have everything intact. But, regardless of the school, there’s a traditional set of things that you need to submit. 

The set will generally include the official transcript from your high school coursework and the test scores. You should add the admission application together with a personal essay. Some schools accept statement letters instead of admission essays. Of course, you should add letters of recommendation. And provide proof of volunteer experience, if you had one. The final detail is the application fee. 

Mind that the timing of your application is crucial. The earlier you apply, the better. The early application displays your eagerness to enroll in a program. Thus, apply early, and you will get a call back faster. Then you get invited to the interview, which you can nail by being open-minded and up-to-date with the current state of the healthcare industry. 

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy helping people and want to get a stable income, being a nurse is your go-to profession. Those are the basic things one needs to enroll in a nursing program. Of course, you also need to consider whether you can afford to pay for your education or need a scholarship. But those are the things you’ll figure out when you pick a college. We wish you all the best in selecting the right nursing school and enrolling in the program.