I am a senior in high school who is interested in getting my BSN. My problem is that I don’t understand what nursing school is really all about, the admissions process and everything that comes with this particular schooling. I know this may sound sad, but I am not sure where to start with my research. I tried looking for my answers to my questions, but I could not find a clear solution. I also was wondering if I am even at that age to apply for nursing programs. At first, I believed that I would go through the general admission process and major in nursing, however my family said I should apply for nursing school instead. (I don’t know what the difference between majoring in nursing verses applying to nursing school.) My older sister is currently an RN who went through the nontraditional route to get her BSN so it took her 1-2 years in graduate school. Therefore she could not provide me with the information I needed for my situation. I’ve been looking at schools but I do not have all the prerequisites they are asking for because my school does not have those specific classes. I also heard that schools require applicants to take a test before they apply to see if they are qualified for the program. So my question is what is the normal process that potential nursing applicants go through and when is the best time (age wise) students should apply?
If anyone is wondering, I did take my ACT and my score that I will be submitting is 29 and when super-scored it is a 30.
I am sorry if this may sound very confusing. If someone can clear up my puzzlement I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
There is no difference in applying to nursing school and declaring a major in nursing at all. The school of nursing would be apart of your campus. So when you send in your application, first it’ll be evaluated to see if you fit the university’s overall requirements. Then your application would be forwarded to the school of nursing, which would just be the nursing building(nurses need their own building because there’s so much. Most schools now have simulation labs, for example), to see if you fit THEIR unique requirements (for example: while the university may only require 3 years of math, nursing majors are often required to take 4). You’d takke your nursing classes in the nursing building but you’d still sleep in the same dorms as everyone else. You’d take your core classes (required classes for EVERYONE on campus, regardless of their major . Examples include freshman seminar, introductory English, etc) on the main campus, with everyone else. Hopefully that makes sense?
Your ACT score is great. Unless you’re trying to get into schools like UPenn, UVA, Emory, UCLA, etc, there’s no need to retake the ACT. I got into a respectable school with just a 24 on my ACT. I’ll be a nursing major this fall, so feel free to ask me anything, as I went through the application process not too long ago!
Colleges.niche.com is a great way to learn about schools. I practically lives (and still live) on that website from freshman year through senior year. Everything you need to know about a school (party scene, GPA/test score averages for admission, academics, food, housing, local area and way more) can be found there. If you tell me your GPA and preferences (city, suburb, or rural area? Big school or small school? Do you care about Greek life/school spirit presence? What state(s) do you prefer?) I can help you jump start your search by recommending you down schools.
Make sure you attempt some APs ! Especially biology, statistics, English, psychology.
teiluuuj has offered you some great advice on college research and nursing admissions! Niche.com is a great website for school research, and he or she is correct about admissions and pre-requisite classes as well. There are also some direct-admit nursing programs at 4 year colleges, where you are admitted to the University AND into their nursing program as a freshman (meaning that they are guaranteeing you a spot in the core nursing classes and clinicals based on your high school academic record AND you maintaining a certain GPA requirement during your start in college. Basically, it’s your spot to lose. But often, in these direct admit programs, you might start intro to nursing classes and clinicals a little sooner than junior year. The “clinicals” might be more observation until you have more experience but its still good exposure to the nursing profession! Schools such as Emory, Case Western, Villanova, Xavier (Ohio), University of Alabama-Birmingham, U of Pittsburgh and others offer this direct admit option. It’s worth considering! My son has been doing research and visiting schools because he also wants to be a nurse. We just visited Villanova, U of Alabama-Birmingham(UAB) and Xavier this summer. His favorites right now are Xavier (Cincinnati) and UAB. However, I think he needs to find 1-2 more options and we’re struggling with finding other schools he likes. He’d prefer to live out west (California) but we don’t know anyone in CA. I am curious what other schools would even be a good fit for him? He has 3.95 weighted GPA but only a 25 on his ACT. He has taken 3 AP classes and mostly honors in other subjects. He is a hospital volunteer in a local Emergency Room and plays varsity tennis and does a few extra curricular activities.
Note that some nursing schools are 0-4, you apply to nursing while a high school senior. Other nursing schools are 2+2: you apply to the university as a high school senior, are admitted to a science program and if your stats are high enough you enter the nursing school as a junior.
@Echoxmist I assume you are a senior for 2016-2017? Note the excellent advice above. TomSr succinctly defies the 2 types of nursing school. If you are sure of nursing I’d definitely go for the 0-4 (direct-admit nursing programs). If you go the 2+2 route, and struggle any as a freshman (often the year of lowest GPA) you may not be able to get into the nursing program as a junior.
Another question: have you had any volunteer work with a hospital or doctor’s office? That can help with being sure nursing is the path for you. Good luck!
@kdohio: California is ultra competitive and the majority of nursing programs are 2+2 programs thus no guarantee on getting into Nursing school. The few direct admit programs: SDSU/UCI/UCLA/CSU Fullerton/Azusa Pacific and Univ of San Francisco have 5% or less acceptance rates so you need top stats for any chance.