Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Nursing School

Getting into nursing school is not a quick or easy process. Just like the job itself, it’s not for the fainthearted. You will need determination, grit, and patience to get your feet onto the first rung of the nursing ladder. Hundreds of thousands of applicants, each year, apply to nursing school and with only several spaces available, you really need to stand out from the overwhelmingly large crowd. Here are a few tips to increase your chances of being accepted into nursing school.

Determine Why You Want a Career in Nursing

We all had dreams of becoming a doctor or nurses when we were young, but do you really want your childhood dream to become a reality? Make sure that you ask yourself several questions before embarking on this life-changing journey. Not only will it help you to conclude if your decision is right or wrong, but it will help in choosing the right nursing school and program. 

Ask yourself, why did you make the decision to become a nurse? Do you want to be an allrounder or specialize in a particular area? Do you want to offer support for those going through hard times? Knowing why you want to go down the nursing route will help you to keep focused and stay on the right path. It will also make writing your mission statement for your personal essay a lot easier. Not only that, but your decision to become a nurse will seem more legitimate to future employers when they ask about your career path or career change.

Make Sure You Qualify

Once you have determined which school(s) you wish to apply for, it’s time to discover each of their admission requirements. This will inform you of what is expected and will save you from applying to schools that may end up rejecting you. Find out the school’s GPA, entrance exam and prerequisite requirements. There are some elements that you can get started on immediately, such as your personal statement and sorting out recommendation forms. 

Produce the Perfect Resume

It may seem trivial, but having a professional resume can go a long way. Sometimes it’s not enough to simply state your positive attributes; your resume is your representative, so it needs to give an insight into who you are as a person. Your resume should be set out concisely. It shouldn’t be complicated to read, especially if you have a lot to say. Only include the relevant aspects of your education. Show off your work, volunteer, and extracurricular experiences. Creating a standout resume may be the simplest step of the whole process but could be the most effective.

Apply to Several Schools

To increase your chances of getting into a nursing school it’s always a good idea to apply to several programs. Research which schools are the better fit for you and apply to them all. Give yourself the leverage of having options and being able to choose where you really want to go if they all offer you a place. If you only apply to one school and get rejected, what’s next? 

Finding nursing schools with multiple start dates can also give you a higher chance. They can accommodate more students and have several options of when to start means you won’t have to wait a whole year to apply. You can get started on your nursing degree sooner than you expected. 

Apply Early

You won’t have all the time in the world to submit your application. Get started on it as soon as you possibly can. Leaving it to the last minute is a surefire way to have your submission rejected. Give yourself time to be able to submit any additional documentation if it is required. 

Starting the whole process early will work in your favor. 

You will need ample time to look at your eligibility for scholarships for college. Funding for college is another area that needs to be investigated very early on in the process. Go online and find out what you are entitled to. You may find that you can apply for a scholarship to pay for some or even all of your degree. Don’t delay with getting your scholarship. You don’t want to get too far down the line and find that you are unable to fund your chosen program.

Get a Little Work Experience Under Your Belt

Although unnecessary, having some work experience can only go in your favor. It shows initiative and gives the sense that you have a real interest in healthcare. Potential students can take on roles such as nursing assistant, ward clerk or receptionist.