By using these tips for getting into nursing school, you can increase your chances of acceptance. Tips include knowing your “why” for nursing, considering relocation, choosing a program with multiple start dates, connecting with an admissions counselor, avoiding wasting time, meeting ABSN requirements, and submitting your application early.
Applying to nursing school is known for being a competitive pursuit. You may wonder what you can do to make the process easier and increase your chances of getting into nursing school. This blog will offer several tips for getting into nursing school.
Traditional nursing programs have limited seating and tend to be highly competitive. However, accelerated nursing programs with multiple yearly start dates, such as Felician University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in New Jersey, simplify the admissions process. With more seats and a rolling admissions process, you may have less competition.
Here are 10 tips for preparing your nursing school application. You’ll learn the fundamentals of how to apply for nursing school and give yourself the best shot at success.
1. Know Your Why for Nursing
During the nursing school application process, you’ll be asked many times why you feel pulled toward a career in nursing. Even in your first call with an ABSN admissions counselor, you’re sure to hear the question, “Why do you want to become a nurse?” Think through your why beforehand so you know how to respond. Knowing your why will also help you move forward and stay motivated during any challenges you face on the road to becoming a nurse.
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2. Consider Relocating for Nursing School
Another great way to position yourself to get into nursing school is to consider relocating. Moving may give you more opportunities and access to better programs aligned with your goals and timeline.
Relocating can help you avoid waitlists, allowing you to apply to a program with a higher student capacity and more yearly start dates. If your local nursing school only offers a traditional program, relocating can help you earn your BSN quicker through an accelerated nursing program. Additionally, if you relocate to a strategic location, such as to the NYC area for Felician’s ABSN program, you can take advantage of the area’s excellent job prospects after graduation.
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3. Choose a Program with Multiple Yearly Start Dates
As hinted earlier, choosing a program with a higher capacity for students will increase your chances of getting into nursing school. Therefore, look for a program with multiple start dates per year. This can not only save you time, but it can also make getting in easier. At Felician, our Hybrid ABSN has three yearly starts, and the On-Ground ABSN has one yearly start, so we have a higher capacity than many other nursing programs.
4. Connect with Your Admissions Counselor
Another key tip for getting into nursing school is to connect with your admissions counselor. Though your counselor is not a member of the decision committee, they are your advocate and supporter throughout the application process. If you show your admissions counselor how passionate you are about caring for patients, they will work hard to ensure you submit the most competitive application possible. So, when interacting with your admissions counselor, show respect, kindness, and gratitude.
5. Don’t Waste Time
Among the tips for getting into nursing school, it’s important to consider timing. During the nursing school admissions process, haste is to your advantage. Taking three years to work through prerequisites instead of getting them done as quickly as possible can be interpreted as a sign that you’re not fully committed to the process. Work diligently to complete admissions requirements as quickly as possible to ensure you are a competitive applicant.
6. Ensure You Meet Admissions Requirements
Speaking of admissions requirements, meeting all the ABSN requirements is essential to increase your chances of getting into nursing school. Most accelerated nursing programs require a certain cumulative GPA and have several prerequisite courses.
The Felician admissions requirements include a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. You’ll also need to pass seven prerequisite courses with at least a C+ within 10 years of starting the program.
Some nursing programs also require you to pass an entrance exam, though Felician does not. Every school is different, so pay attention to your target school’s requirements to ensure you meet them before submitting your application.
7. Submit Your Application Early
The admissions committee at Felician uses a rolling decision process for the ABSN program. That means it will be reviewed soon after you submit your application, and you will hear a decision within a few weeks.
Therefore, if you submit your application early, you’ll have a higher chance of getting into the program because it won’t be filled yet. However, if you wait until the last minute, there may only be a few spots left, so there could be more competition. Talk with your admissions counselor about when you can apply, and hurry up to get your application in early.
8. Choose Great References
For most accelerated nursing programs, you’ll need to provide recommendation letters, so take care when choosing who should write these letters. Choose individuals who know you well, either from an academic or professional setting.
You may have a professor, coach, manager, or coworker write your letter if the individual is not family or a personal friend. Give them plenty of time to write the letter and provide details about your intentions for nursing school and what type of insight you’d like them to provide to the admissions committee.
9. Highlight What Makes You Unique
When writing your personal statement and completing the rest of your nursing school application, focus on the qualities and experiences that make you unique. Rather than dwelling on common experiences many applicants may share, think about why your story is unique.
Maybe your grandmother inspired you to become a nurse because of how she cared for people in her community, or perhaps you or a family member faced a health hardship that caused you to feel called to patient care. Maybe during your volunteer experiences, you met someone who influenced your goals in some way. Whatever your story, share it, and the admissions committee will see the unique perspective that you’ll bring to the class.
10. Write a Thoughtful Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your time to let your personality and heart come through on your nursing school application. While most of your application focuses on your academic record and professional experiences, the words in your personal statement come from the heart. You can use this essay to show the committee who you are and what inspires you.
Before you submit your personal statement, have a trusted friend read through it and provide edits and feedback. Taking the time to edit and proofread your work will help you submit a polished and cohesive essay.
Begin the ABSN Admissions Process at Felician
Now that you know 10 tips for getting into nursing school, it’s time to put them to use. Applying to the ABSN program at Felician doesn’t need to be complicated, thanks to the guidance of our dedicated admissions counselors.
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If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 60 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible for the accelerated nursing program. Felician offers two formats for the program: the 16-month Hybrid ABSN, blending online courses, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations, and the 18-month On-Ground ABSN, which follows a similar structure except that all courses take place in person.
Contact us today to learn more about applying to the ABSN program at Felician.