1. Graduate High School or Earn a GED
This is mandatory, no matter what kind school you are planning on applying to.
Nursing schools may have a minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement, which can vary between programs. Most CNA programs don’t have minimum GPA requirements. However, you can expect them from LPN and RN programs.
2. Meet the prerequisites
For Most Nursing Schools:
- 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)
Specific nursing school requirements will vary based on the program, so it is very important to check with an admissions counselor prior to applying. So, a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program will require more perquisites than an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) program.
Furthermore, nursing schools have different prerequisites depending on the type of degree you plan to pursue. For lover-level nursing degrees most schools will expect you to complete general education courses like English and math, in addition to some science-based courses like anatomy and biology.
More advanced degree programs have specific requirements that depend on your nursing specialty. This could include microbiology and physiology. If you don’t already meet the nursing prerequisites, you must earn the credits before you can apply to nursing school.
3. Research Nursing Programs
It’s important to decide what kind of nursing program you are interested in. These are some critial issues you should consider:
- School size: Do you favor a large public university in a major city or a small private college in a rural setting?
- Housing: Do you have the ability to live on campus or do you have to commute?
- Your Degree: Are you going for an ADN or BSN nursing program?
- Finances: How will you pay for school?
- Location: Do you, or can you move away from home?
- Licenses: Do you already have an LPN or LVN license?
- Teaching Environment: Online program vs an in-person program?
Choosing between an ADN program or a BSN program is a bid decision. With the increase in BSN programs and the ongoing push for all new graduates to have a bachelor’s degree, associate degree nursing programs are becoming less and less popular.
Furthermore, consider that a nurse with a BSN degree will earn 25% to 40% more than a nurse with just an ADN degree.
Differences Between ADN and BSN Nursing Programs
Advantages of an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing):
- Give you entry-level requirements to become an RN
- You to try the field without committing to a four-year program
- Credits can transfer to another four-year degree if you want to change paths
- More convenient for working adults or those with families
- Cheaper
- Focuses more on science courses to needed to pass the NCLEX-RN examination
Disadvantages of an Associate Degree in Nursing:
- You will limit your options if you want to be a RN
- Pays much less than an RN
- Does not provide the necessary training to pursue a specialty
- Fewer jobs/opportunities in a hospital settings
- Less career advancement in the nursing field
4. Paying for Nursing School
Nursing school can be expensive. Most students require financial assistance, so it is important to speak to a financial aid representative at the university or community college to understand your options. Generally, private schools are much more expensive than public ones.
In considering aid, not everyone will qualify for all the different types of aid that are available but scholarships, grants, and federal loans help make the cost of nursing school more manageable for many students.
Appendix: Guide on how to finance nursing school