Every nurse remembers the moment when they decided to pursue their career path. Maybe it was early on in childhood playing nurse with your stuffed animals, or taking care of siblings/family members. The decision to follow your dream of being a nurse is a big moment! 

Before you decide to become a nurse and have those #scrubsondeck, you have to study and learn how to become a nurse who is ready for the field. I’m sure you know as well as we do that nurses are in high demand these days. In Maine, for example, nursing students are in high demand even before graduation. 

There hasn’t been a time (at least in recent years) where nurses are needed more than ever. Know that when you are trying to get into nursing school, you are on the path to a fulfilling career that can make a difference. Getting into nursing school is definitely a process but as always, we have your back! 

We’ve compiled some tips for you for getting into nursing school, read on to learn what they are.

Make Sure You are Meeting the Necessary Requirements

To get into nursing school, you need to have a High School Diploma or GED. Additionally, you need to have completed the following courses according to Nurse.org: 

• One year of high school biology with a C or better

• One year of high school chemistry with a C or better

• Two years of college-preparatory math with a C or better

• GPA of 2.75 or higher for ADN program or GPA of 3.0 or higher for BSN program

• SATs or TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

Keep in mind that specific schools and/or programs may ask you for additional requirements. Be sure to check in with your school/program’s admissions department to see if they have additional prerequisites. If you are looking to earn a BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) and not an ADN (Associates Degree in Nursing), for example, you will likely need to complete more prerequisites.

Research, Research, Research!

Not all nursing programs are created equal! Before you embark on your nursing (academic) career, think about the kinds of things that are important to you in a nursing program. Ask yourself questions like: 

Do you want to earn an ADN or BSN? Associates degrees take less time but still give you a great start and a way to kickstart a nursing career. Bachelors degrees on the other hand, provide you with 2 additional years of experience in academics and peer to peer learning

Do you want to stay in your city/state or do you want to relocate? Maybe you live in a small town and know that your community is in need. Maybe you’d like a change and want to move to a big city! There is no right or wrong, but this is definitely important to consider when choosing your next step. 

Consider All of Your Financial Aid Options

No matter what school or Program you choose, pursuing higher education often comes with a steep cost. Consider all of your financial options when pursuing and applying for nursing school. Be sure to look into: scholarships, grants, student and private loans, and more. 

Practice, Practice, Practice for your Admission Interview

If you are hoping to get into a nursing program, you will need to go through a formal interview process. Interviews will screen applicants to see if they are a good fit and representation for a nursing program. No matter where you apply it’s important for you to stay up to date on the current events of healthcare, especially those that directly impact nurses. For example, the recent lack and urgent need of PPE for medical professionals due to COVID-19. Staying informed shows that you are aware of the field you are getting into. 

Additionally, you want to do your research on the school and the nursing program itself. Are there any notable alumni? Has the school or program made headlines recently? Is there something the specific school or program has that makes it stand out? This will allow you to make a personal connection to the school and show your interviewer that you aren’t just providing generic responses. 

With these tips, we hope you feel a bit more informed about the process and feel more confident about applying and getting into a nursing school. 

At NurseDeck, we are ready to welcome you into the nursing community with open arms and we are wishing all future nurses the best of luck!