How to Get Into Nursing School

Competition for entry is stiff. Use these tips from admissions officers to make your application stand out.

By Camilla Andersson, Monster Contributor

Despite the nursing shortage in many states, nursing schools reject many eager prospective students every year. Schools don’t have room for everyone who wants to become a nurse, and they also have high requirements for future nurses. But once you get in, you’ll be taking the first step towards a rewarding career with many opportunities for growth.

Learn how to get into nursing school with these essential tips.

What Is Nursing School?

The term “nursing school” is used both for colleges and universities that specialize in nursing and nursing programs at other institutions. Before learning how to get into nursing school, determine what program you want to attend. These are some common options when you’re new to nursing:

  • a nursing diploma or certificate to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN)
  • an associate degree in nursing (ADN)
  • a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

After you’re a licensed nurse, you can climb the career ladder by becoming a registered nurse or getting a master’s degree, which is required to become a nurse practitioner and for other advanced positions in nursing. In this article, we’ll focus on how to get into a nursing program for the first time and show you a sample application essay for nursing school admission.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Nursing School?

Once you know that the competition is fierce for some nursing programs, you may wonder “what are my chances of getting into nursing school?”

About 80 percent of all nursing program applicants are accepted into nursing schools, but the acceptance rate varies greatly depending on what school you apply to. Some schools have waiting lists that are several years long. The acceptance rates are far lower for master’s programs, which have an average acceptance rate of about 66 percent.

Common Nursing School Requirements

When you’re looking into how to get into nursing school, you’ll find that nursing school requirements won’t be very different from those for other college degree programs, but nursing schools will look more closely at certain factors. To increase the chances of getting into nursing school, focus on a combination of academic credentials, clinical experience, soft skills, and passion for nursing.

How to Get Into Nursing School: Academics

The best way to get accepted into nursing school is to get good grades and good scores on a college entrance exam. Grade point average (GPA) is more important than class rank, the significance of which varies depending on a school's class size. Some nursing schools also scrutinize attendance records. Too many tardies and absences raise a red flag.

These are some typical prerequisites that you can fulfill in high school:

  • One year of biology with a C grade or higher
  • One year of chemistry with a C grade or better
  • Two years of college-prep math with a C grade or better
  • A GPA of approximately 2.75 to 3.2, depending on the school and program

These are some examples of common college entrance exams that nursing schools require:

  • the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
  • The SAT
  • The Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET)
  • The Health Education Systems, Inc. Exam A2

How to Get Into Nursing School: Beyond the Basics

Once you meet the initial nursing school requirements, admissions officers will look at what sets you apart as a candidate.

What do nursing schools look for in applicants? The best way to get accepted into nursing school once you meet the initial academic requirements is to focus on extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and clinical experience.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities can give your college applications a boost, but it’s ideal if they are related to the future college major. While other activities can demonstrate teambuilding, character, drive, and leadership, activities related to nursing can also show your commitment to healthcare, empathy, and community service.

One way to get involved is by joining a club at your high school, for example a biology club, anatomy club, or science club. Another way is through the organization HOSA, which offers activities and guidance for high school students who want to work in healthcare in the future.

Volunteer Experience

Admission officers look for prospective students to show altruism. When you’re researching how to get into nursing schools, you’ll find that some programs require you to have previous volunteer experience in healthcare. When a program doesn’t require this, it will typically still be an advantage. Community-service experience also demonstrates that you have some knowledge of healthcare and a passion for nursing.

Many healthcare facilities have volunteer programs specifically for high school students. Check the websites of clinics and hospitals in your area to see if they offer such programs. These programs are also common at nursing homes. You won’t be able to perform clinical tasks, but you can help out with administrative responsibilities as well as personal care and recreational activities.

Clinical Experience

Work experience in a healthcare setting can also set you apart from other candidates because it shows your commitment to healthcare and that you already have hard skills that can give you a head start in the nursing program.

Just like if you’re a volunteer, you won’t be able to do clinical tasks without training, but you can find an entry-level part-time or summer job in healthcare support, for example:

If you want to try the healthcare field out before becoming a nurse, and are willing to commit some time to it, consider becoming a certified nursing assistant. Obtaining this certification only takes a couple of months, but you’ll need a high school diploma first.

How to Apply for Nursing School

Once you know how to get into nursing school, it’s time to prepare your application. To increase your chances of getting into nursing school, apply to more than just your top choice.

You can streamline the process of applying for nursing school by using the NursingCAS, a centralized application service for nursing programs. This allows you to apply to several programs with the same application if they participate in the service. Although the general application is the same, you can supplement it with specific details required by each school, for example references. You’ll also need to keep an eye on the application deadlines for different schools.

Nursing School Application Requirements

These are common documents you’ll need to submit when applying for nursing school:

  • your high school transcript, and college transcripts if applicable
  • a personal statement essay, sometimes called a statement letter or statement of intent
  • letters of recommendation
  • standardized test scores
  • payment for the application fee
  • official application documents
  • a nursing student resume

Preparing for the Nursing School Admission Interview

Nurses work closely with patients and need excellent interpersonal skills and ethics. One way to showcase your character strengths is during the admission interview if your school of choice conducts those.

You should prepare for the interview similarly to how you would prepare for a job interview by:

  • researching the nursing school
  • keeping up to date with current nursing and healthcare developments
  • preparing personal anecdotes that demonstrate your character and ethics
  • having a thoughtful answer to why you want to become a nurse
  • contemplating answers to common ethical dilemmas to prepare for behavioral questions

Learn more in our article about nursing school interviews.

Sample Application Essay for Nursing School Admission

Some nursing schools require you to submit a personal statement essay with your application. Write this essay like you would a cover letter for a job application by emphasizing your strengths, describing your passion for nursing, and writing in a narrative style that includes personal examples when relevant.

This is an example of an application essay for nursing school:

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to express my strong interest in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at your esteemed institution. As someone who has always been drawn to healthcare and the human sciences, I believe that nursing is the perfect career path for me.

My passion for nursing began at a young age, when I witnessed the care and compassion provided by the nurses who treated my grandfather during his battle with cancer. Their dedication to his well-being inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare, and I have been working towards that goal ever since.

I graduated from high school with a strong academic record and immediately enrolled in a pre-nursing program at a local community college. There I gained a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and other basic sciences, as well as hands-on experience in clinical settings. I also volunteered at a local hospital, where I shadowed nurses and assisted with patient care.

In addition to my academic and volunteer experience, I have also worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for the past two years. In this role, I have gained valuable hands-on experience in patient care, including vital sign monitoring, medication administration, and assistance with activities of daily living. I have also developed strong communication and teamwork skills, which I believe will be essential in a nursing career.

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue my nursing education and to pursue a career in which I can make a positive impact on the lives of patients and their families. I am confident that your reputable nursing program will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to achieve my goals and become a skilled and compassionate nurse.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to and learn from your nursing program.

Other Tips for Getting Into a Nursing Program

Now you know the basics of how to get into nursing school, take these small steps to increase your chances of getting into your school of choice:

  • Making positive, strong connections with your supervisor during volunteer work, especially in a healthcare setting, can yield a recommendation that carries more weight than one from a teacher.
  • Start a dialogue with the admissions officer or advisor at the school you're considering. Learn how to get into a nursing program at their school and what you may need to do to obtain any missing qualifications.
  • Don’t take the easy route by focusing on schools with high acceptance rates. Focus on where you can get the best education and other factors that are important to you. High acceptance rates don’t necessarily mean that the education is subpar, though. If choosing between different schools, consider their NCLEX pass rates, since these can give you an idea of the overall quality of the nursing program.

Take the Temperature of Your Resume on Monster

Does your resume need a checkup? Now that you know how to get into nursing school, create a Monster profile to get career advice in your inbox. We share tips for resumes, cover letters, job hunting, and more. Once you’re ready to find your first nursing job, or if you need an extra job while you’re studying, it’s a cinch to apply with your profile.