How to Get Into Nursing School: Everything You Need to Know

Getting into nursing school is entirely within reach, regardless of your academic and professional background. If you’re willing to work hard and meet the qualifications, you can apply to an accelerated program, such as Madonna University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN). This pathway allows you to use your existing college credits or non-nursing degree and leverage that experience to become a nurse sooner.

However, before looking at how to get into nursing school, you’ll want to ensure that obtaining a BSN will be worth it. Earning a BSN is an excellent long-term investment because of its many benefits.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Nurse?

Being a successful nurse requires a unique blend of compassion, critical thinking, and technical skills, and nursing school admissions representatives notice these essential characteristics. Nurses exhibit high compassion and empathy for patients and their loved ones. Because nurses often care for others in difficult times, they must be able to communicate vital information in an accessible and sensitive way.

To exhibit these characteristics to admissions representatives, highlight how you give back and involve yourself in your community. Display your communication skills during meetings with your admissions rep, and clearly state your thoughts while writing your letter of intent.

Nursing schools also look for applicants who display a passion for nursing. A compelling story emphasizing your interest in the profession can help you exhibit your passion. This quality is vital for prospective nursing students, as passion enables you to keep pushing when the going gets tough.

Choose the Right School

While it is essential that your application stands out, you must also choose the right school. Not every nursing school will fit your needs, and that’s okay. Look for a school that aligns with your values, allows you to explore your interests and offers ample accessibility and support.

While Madonna’s College of Nursing and Health is proud to offer a nursing program steeped in Catholic and Franciscan values, we also work to create a diverse environment that welcomes all backgrounds and cultures. We focus on academic excellence and uphold respect for the dignity and value of all people.

Why Earn Your BSN Degree?

While you don’t necessarily need a BSN to become an RN, earning your BSN from Madonna University is a good step toward becoming a well-qualified nurse. Top healthcare employers are increasingly beginning to require a baccalaureate degree, which means pursuing a BSN through our program sets you up for more opportunities in the future. Whether you want to enter the workforce immediately or pursue a higher nursing degree, your BSN will be a great asset.

A BSN through our program readies you to:

• Deliver safe, ethical and effective care across the patient life span.
• Collaborate with members of the healthcare industry to provide holistic care.
• Provide complex, innovative patient care utilizing the standards of social justice.
• Pursue career advancement opportunities and better salary potential compared to RNs without a BSN.

So, just how hard is it to get into nursing school? That all depends on the program you choose and the path you follow.

Understand the Challenges of Getting Into Nursing School

Before exploring how to get into a nursing program, it’s worth considering why admission can be challenging. There is a critical shortage of nurses in the U.S.; one reason for this problem is the shortage of nursing school faculty. In fact, in 2021, baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in the U.S. turned away more than 91,000 qualified applicants simply because there wasn’t enough space for them. The lack of sufficient faculty is a top reason for this. Luckily, Madonna is fortunate enough to have plenty of spots open and is happy to accept applicants on a rolling basis.

Another reason getting into nursing school can be challenging is because the nursing curriculum and hands-on learning experiences are rigorous. Nursing schools must uphold high clinical training standards because nurses are responsible for patients’ lives. It’s essential that programs only admit qualified applicants who can keep up with the rigorous coursework.

Don’t let that discourage you, however. Yes, the competition is stiff, but if you meet the requirements to get into nursing school and make your application as competitive as possible, you can gain admission. So, let’s look at how to get into nursing school.

Requirements to Get Into Nursing School

With requirements varying widely from program to program, you may wonder what exactly you need to meet the eligibility requirements for Madonna University’s accelerated BSN program.

While you don’t need prior nursing education or healthcare experience to apply for the program, you do need to meet specific academic requirements before you can begin the admission process. In these two steps, we’ll break down how you can increase your chances of getting into nursing school during the admissions process.

1. Meet the ABSN Admission Requirements

Before being accepted to our ABSN program, you must be familiar with and meet all our admission requirements. These include:

• Holding a confirmed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA OR 60 college credits and a cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Submission of all official transcripts of coursework
• Writing a letter of intent to the College of Nursing and Health
• Passing a criminal background check
• Documentation of completion or plan to complete prerequisite courses

This may sound like a lot, but your admissions representative will walk you through the process and ensure everything is ready.

2. Take All Prerequisite Courses

Most nursing programs require the completion of a set of prerequisite courses for admission, and Madonna is no exception. Ensuring you have all the necessary prerequisites will help you succeed in nursing school. Because these courses provide the foundational knowledge you will build upon in your advanced nursing courses, you must have a firm grasp of these concepts.

Madonna makes it easy for our prospective nursing students to complete their prerequisites. You’ll have the option of completing these courses online through our university, which allows for a smooth transition of credits and helps you become familiar with our online formatting.

If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, some of your previous credits may transfer to cover a prerequisite course. Always check with your admissions rep; they can help you make a custom plan to complete outstanding prerequisites.

10 Tips for Getting into Nursing School

Meeting the above requirements is critical for the process of how to get into a nursing program. However, remember that these requirements to get into nursing school are the bare minimum. So, what do nursing schools look for in applicants? If you want your application to stand out, we have some tips to help you.

1. Know Your Why

Before considering how to get into nursing school, it’s crucial to determine your “why.” The importance of this step cannot be understated. After all, explaining why you want to be a nurse will be helpful when you talk to an admissions rep. Not to mention, you’ll want to think about your reason before writing your letter of intent or admissions essay.

2. Find the Right Program

Selecting a program that works for your needs is critical to getting into nursing school. Here are several things you’ll want to consider:

Where Do You Want to Study?

Asking this question first will help you narrow your selection to a specific region and estimate the cost of living and other expenses (in the case of relocating for school).

What Kind of Degree Do You Intend to Earn?

While many nursing programs still offer associate degrees, the overall trend in healthcare is toward BSN-educated RNs. In other words, a BSN is a much better long-term choice.

Is Online Learning Right for You?

Hybrid online learning certainly has many advantages. It offers convenience and accessibility that differs from traditional in-classroom learning. It’s also important to note that accelerated nursing program theory coursework is 100% online, with testing on campus in the testing center.

Students will learn critical nursing skills in our hands-on skills lab and simulations and through clinical rotations. That being said, some students would prefer to learn everything in a classroom setting; just know that this will likely mean a traditional, four-year BSN program.

3. Talk to Your Admissions Representative

Of course, once you find a program you’re interested in, you will want to talk to an admissions rep. During your first call, your admissions rep will ask questions to get to know you better, inquiring about your educational background and — you guessed it — why you want to become a nurse. Before your call, it’s a good idea to have your unofficial college transcripts available, though your admissions rep will be able to talk you through the steps for obtaining your transcript if you don’t have it on hand.

You should be honest and upfront about any issues that might arise later. For example, if you were previously enrolled in a nursing program, let a grade slip or have any problems with your background history, let your admissions rep know. As part of the enrollment process, your post-high school education records and complete background history will be pulled, so it’s better to be upfront about any potential issues.

Please be receptive to the admissions rep if they recommend you retake a past class to improve your chances of getting in. They recommend this because they want to see you succeed.

What’s Your Academic Background Like?

Talking with your admissions rep can help you determine your eligibility for the program. If you already have a bachelor’s degree or some college credits (the number varies by school) and meet the grade requirements set by the school, you may be eligible to enroll in an accelerated BSN program, like the one at Madonna.

When Do You Hope to Graduate?

Another advantage of ABSN programs is that they allow you to graduate sooner, and, like Madonna, they often offer three start dates each year. The ABSN program at Madonna offers start dates in summer, fall and winter, meaning it may be possible to start working toward your nursing degree soon. Staying in touch with your admissions rep can help you stay on track to enroll for your target start date in the program.

4. Prioritize Communication

Want to impress your admissions rep throughout the process of getting into nursing school? Keep detailed notes about everything you’ve discussed and what you must do to follow through. While your admissions representative may check in with you regularly to ensure you’re progressing, it looks good if you’re proactive. Another simple way to show you’re serious about becoming a nurse is to stay on top of communication. Don’t put off responding to calls and emails. The sooner, the better.

Do You Intend to Work While in Nursing School?

You should discuss this with your admissions rep. While it’s understandable that some students must work during nursing school, accelerated programs pack a lot into a short period, meaning school is like a full-time job. Because of this, Madonna University recommends that students do not work while in the ABSN program, if possible.

5. Get Volunteer Experience

While no previous healthcare experience is necessary to apply to the Madonna ABSN program, gaining volunteer experience in a healthcare facility is a great way to stand out and show that you are serious about a future in nursing.

6. Fulfill Any Prerequisite Requirements

Any quality accelerated nursing program will require you to complete prerequisite courses, though how many depends on your previous college experience. Those with a Bachelor of Science degree tend to need fewer prerequisites than those with a Bachelor of Arts degree — because nursing requires some knowledge of anatomy, biology, chemistry and other related fields.

Additionally, students with only the minimum number of required college credits will likely need to take the most prerequisites to enter nursing school. However, many schools also require prospective nursing students to take courses specific to their school and mission statement, and Madonna is no exception.

Your admissions rep will help you determine what you need to take. They might also advise you to improve your GPA by retaking certain courses to increase your chances of acceptance.

7. Write a Great Essay

For many reasons, nursing is not for everyone. While it may pay well, it’s not the career you pursue just for the money. Nursing requires compassion, the ability to remain calm and collected in life-threatening situations, empathy, kindness, strong communication skills and hard work.

Your letter of intent or admissions essay should demonstrate why you want to become a nurse and that you have what it takes to succeed in nursing school. Think of it like a cover letter when applying for a job, and don’t forget to have someone read it before you submit it. No matter how often you read it, it’s easy to miss your mistakes.

8. Keep Documents Handy

Now that you know how to get into nursing school, it’s essential to go about it in an organized fashion. Ensure you’ve gathered all the required documents to streamline the process and present yourself as an organized and serious contender. Having these materials handy will show the school that you are prepared and can follow directions. The less you must scramble to provide items needed for your application, the sooner you can start your nursing education.

9. Prepare for Any Entrance Exams

As part of getting into nursing school, many schools require students to take an entrance exam, often the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Exam or Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam.

To simplify the admissions process, Madonna University’s ABSN program no longer requires prospective students to complete a writing assessment or entrance exam.

10. Start Today

Starting the process immediately is the best way to increase your chances of getting into nursing school. Don’t wait to pursue your dream of becoming a nurse; the sooner you complete the form and get the ball rolling, the closer you are to becoming a working nurse and changing lives.

Get Started on Your Accelerated Nursing Education Today!

If getting into nursing school and pursuing a career as a caring, compassionate, and capable nurse sounds right for you, Madonna University’s ABSN program is here to help you achieve your goals. We work to ensure our ABSN program is accessible by offering three start dates a year, making it convenient for you to get started sooner. Additionally, by not having a waitlist, you don’t have to put in the effort to apply only to put your future on hold.

We want to support you in any way we can. A success coach will walk you through meeting all your requirements and offer advice and guidance along the way. We try to streamline getting into nursing school as much as possible and are always here if you need help.

Get started today by connecting with one of our admissions reps. They will answer any outstanding questions about the program, help determine your eligibility and identify any prerequisite courses to complete.