What You Need to Know Before Starting Nursing School

Whether you’ve recently made the decision to change careers to become a nurse or are still thinking about it, there’s a lot you need to know before starting nursing school. On top of choosing the right degree and program for your future goals, you need to consider all the admission requirements involved. The good news is, you don’t have to go it alone. With Madonna University’s Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you have a dedicated admission representative each step of the way.

Before you start the admissions process, it’s important that you know what to expect. That’s why we’re giving you an inside look at your admissions representative’s role, how he or she will support you from beginning to end, and the steps you must take to be considered for Madonna University’s Bachelors of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program near Detroit, MI.

Meet Tasneem, ABSN Admissions Representative for Madonna University

If you’re looking to put your 60 credits or non-nursing bachelor’s degree to work so you can earn your BSN more quickly, then the first thing you will need to do is connect with an ABSN admissions representative, like Tasneem.

Committed to helping you through the admission process, ABSN admission representative Tasneem will build a positive rapport with you from the very start. “I’m here to help you in any way that I can and see that you successfully enroll in Madonna’s ABSN program with confidence and ease,” she says.

Tasneem can help you in many ways, from confirming your program eligibility (which includes 60 college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree) to helping you submit the most competitive application possible.

The best part about my job is that I get to talk with so many amazing people and be a part of their life-changing goal to pursue a career in nursing. It’s really rewarding at the end of the day.

- Tasneem, Madonna University ABSN Admissions Representative

“Your Success is My Success”

What does highly personalized support look like? According to Tasneem, it’s all about actively listening to the student. When Tasneem hears about a student’s struggles and passion for wanting to become a registered nurse, she’s inspired to help. “It’s moments like this that really makes my job worth it,” says Tasneem.

For your admission rep to help you in the best way they can, it’s important that you provide them with up-to-date personal information. For example, they may ask you how many children you have and how you plan to juggle family and nursing school. “The ABSN program is challenging,” says Tasneem. “I want to make sure you have the right support system in place so you can benefit from the program; your success is my success.”

Now that you understand the role your admissions representative plays in your journey to nursing school, it’s time to explore the steps you must take to be considered for our ABSN program.

Step 1: Schedule a Preliminary Interview

Your first admissions appointment will be a very casual phone call. It may even feel as though you are speaking with a friend. Right off the bat, your admissions representative may ask you the following questions:

• What motivated you to become a nurse?
• What elements attracted you to the ABSN program?
• How are you planning to manage your time throughout nursing school?

This helps your rep get to know you and determine if Madonna’s Accelerated BSN program is the right fit for you. “We don’t want to set you up for failure,” says Tasneem. “We tell students right away that they will need to dedicate 40-60 hours a week on average for this program.”

Everything your rep does or says has your best interest in mind, so it’s important that you are upfront and honest throughout the entire process. For example, if there are any discrepancies with your transcripts, such as a low grade in science or math – which could impact your entry into the program – be sure to tell your rep during this step of the admissions process. He or she may be able to develop a plan for addressing these issues.

If our ABSN program turns out to be a good fit for you, your rep will then help you develop an academic plan.

Step 2: Develop an Academic Plan

According to Tasneem, this step is without a doubt the most crucial. Why? Because it builds off of the first conversation you had with your admissions rep and determines if you’re willing to move forward with the admissions process.

The best way to prepare for this step is to send your academic transcripts to [email protected] or fax 248.281.1967. This provides your admissions representative with a better idea of where you stand in the process and what your next step should be. Keep in mind that even with a Bachelor’s degree, your prerequisites are not 100% waived. This is because there are required support courses that have to be taken.

Once your transcripts are evaluated, then you can plot out your academic plan. This involves figuring out which prerequisite courses you will need to take and when you can start the ABSN program (January, May, or August).

Step 3: Successfully Complete Prerequisites

Now that you have an idea of what your ABSN prerequisite course load will look like, it’s time to get to work. You will need to successfully complete prerequisites with a passing grade of C or higher.

While it’s not required that you take your nursing prerequisites through Madonna University, Tasneem believes that it is your best bet. “This allows your admissions rep to better assist you and have immediate access to your classes and grades for a smoother transition into the ABSN program,” she says.

Additionally, there may be a particular order in which you should complete your nursing school prerequisites. For a smooth transition into the program, Tasneem recommends that you plan ahead as some courses are prerequisites to others. As you complete your nursing prerequisites, your representative will check in with you every two weeks to see how they are going. This will motivate you to stay on track with your courses and allow you to build trust with your admissions rep.

Step 4: Complete Your Nursing School Application

Once you complete 75 percent of your prerequisite courses, you will have the opportunity to submit your nursing school application. Your application will consist of:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA or a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Prerequisite completion form
• Letter of intent to the College of Nursing
• Madonna University writing assessment (you must complete this if you do not hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree)
• Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) entrance exam composite score of 75 percent or higher for reading comprehension and math

Keep in mind that your representative will not review this application until your prerequisites are 75 percent complete.

As you can see, there’s a lot you need to know before starting nursing school. But with the help of your ABSN admissions representative, becoming a student in Madonna’s Accelerated BSN program is closer than you think. Contact us today about accelerating into the nursing profession through Madonna University.