Getting into nursing school is a big undertaking, but it’s a challenge worth pursuing. Before being accepted into Madonna’s ABSN program you’ll have to meet several requirements, including taking the ATI test and completing prerequisites, ensure your application stands out, and choose the right program for you.
Getting into nursing school is completely within reach if you’re willing to work hard and if you can meet the qualifications required to apply to an accelerated program. The Madonna University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows you to apply your existing college credits or non-nursing degree to your nursing curriculum so that you can leverage that experience and become a nurse sooner.
However, because gaining admittance into a nursing program and completing this challenging endeavor will likely take up most of your time and energy, you’ll want to be sure that obtaining a BSN will be worth it for you. Because of the many benefits of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, earning a BSN will prove to be a great investment long-term.
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 qualified nurse. 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 get out into the workforce right away 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.
- Allow career advancement opportunities and increased income as opposed to RNs without a BSN.
So, just how hard is it to get into nursing school? That all depends on the program you choose to apply to and the path you want to follow.
What Are Nursing School Requirements?
With requirements varying widely from program to program, you may be wondering what exactly you need to do to meet 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 certain academic requirements before you can begin the admission process. We’ll break down how you can increase your chances of getting into nursing school during the admissions process in 3 steps.
1. Meet ABSN Admission Requirements
Before you can apply to our ABSN program and get accepted, it is vital that you are 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
- Completing and passing a criminal background check
- Obtaining a composite score of 65% on the ATI test
- Documentation of completion or plan to complete prerequisite courses
While this may sound overwhelming, your admissions officer will walk you through this process and make sure everything is good to go.
2. Complete the Madonna Writing Assessment if Applicable
If you are a transfer student or do not currently hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you must complete this step. Those who do not hold a bachelor’s degree and cannot transfer over composition credits must complete the Madonna Writing Assessment. Admissions will review the assessment and determine if additional writing support is required. Students with existing non-nursing bachelor’s degrees do not have to complete a writing assessment.
This is just to be sure you have a solid foundation in written communication — something that will be vital to your success as a nurse. All students must fulfill their writing requirements before applying to the ABSN program. To avoid the need to sign up for additional writing courses, transfer students must earn a 4T on the assessment. Even students with low scores can be accepted into the university, but they will be required to take a basic writing class.
3. Take All Prerequisite Courses
Most nursing programs will require completion of a set of prerequisite courses for admission, and Madonna is no exception. Ensuring you have all the necessary prerequisites under your belt will help you to succeed in nursing school. Because all these courses provide the foundational knowledge you will be building upon in your advanced nursing courses, it is essential that you have a firm grasp of these concepts.
Madonna makes it easy for our prospective nursing students to complete their prerequisites. They always have the option of completing these courses online through our university. Not only will this allow for a smooth transition of credits, but it will also allow you some time to 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 be sure to check with your admissions officer as they can help you make a custom plan to complete outstanding prerequisites.
Additional Tips to Help Increase Chances of Getting into Nursing School
Meeting the above requirements is critical in the decision of whether you will be accepted into our program. However, keep in mind that these requirements are the bare minimum. So, what do nursing schools look for in applicants? If you really want your application to stand out, we have some tips to help you.
Personal Characteristics
It takes a certain type of person to be a nurse, and these essential characteristics are noticed by nursing school admissions staff. Nurses exhibit a high level of compassion and empathy for patients and their loved ones. Because you will often be taking care of others in difficult times of their lives, it is important that you are able to communicate vital information in an accessible and sensitive way. To exhibit these characteristics to admissions staff, highlight how you give back to and involve yourself in your community. Put your communication skills on display during any meetings with your admissions officer and clearly state your thoughts while writing your letter of intent.
Additionally, nursing schools are looking for applicants who display a passion for nursing. Having a compelling story that emphasizes your interest in this profession can help exhibit this. This passion is an important thing for prospective nursing students to have, as it is often this passion that helps you keep pushing when the going gets tough.
Choose the Right School
While it is important to ensure that your application stands out, you also must make sure you are choosing 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 a high level of accessibility and support.
While Madonna’s College of Nursing and Health is proud to offer a nursing program steeped in Catholic, Felician and Franciscan values, we also work to create a diverse environment that is welcoming to all backgrounds and cultures. Bottom line? We focus on academic excellence and uphold respect for the dignity and value of all people.
We also work to ensure that 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 make getting into nursing as streamlined as possible and are always here if you need help.
Get Started on Your Accelerated Nursing Education Today!
If getting into nursing school and pursuing a career as a caring, compassionate, and capable nurse is something that sounds right for you, Madonna University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is here to help you achieve your goals.
Get started today by connecting with one of our admissions officers. In addition to answering any outstanding questions you may have about the program, they will help determine your eligibility and identify any prerequisite courses you need to complete.