Financial Aid And Scholarships
There are many avenues nursing students can search for financial aid and scholarships. Many students get assistance to pay for college through federal or state aid. To see if you qualify for financial aid, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid .
There are also a variety of organizations you can check for aid opportunities. Many colleges and universities award top students scholarships and grants. Your specific nursing program might also offer financial awards.
In addition, you can check with businesses, nonprofits, professional associations, and community foundations, especially organizations that support the medical community. Many of these organizations award scholarships to students pursuing nursing.
If you currently work or volunteer, you can check with your place of employment as well. They might offer financial assistance to employees who are furthering their education.
Is Nursing School Hard Yes But You Can Do It
No doubt about it, accelerated nursing school is hard, but its important to remember the end result. Once you graduate from Misericordias 16-month ABSN program youll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX and enter the profession a confident and competent nurse with a heart of mercy sooner than youd be able to in a traditional nursing program.
Are you ready to rise to the challenge of nursing school? Contact one of our admissions counselors by completing this form he or she will reach out to you soon to determine your eligibility for our program.
Do I Need To Take Entrance Exams
Even with good grades and a high GPA, with stellar prerequisites completion, regardless if you wish to pursue a traditional education in a brick and mortar institution or you choose to go the hybrid or online route, most nursing schools will require prospective students to pass an entrance exam. Granted, it makes the admissions process a lot more complicated and stressful, but entrance exams are common practice in order to prove that students have the skills, or, better yet, the potential to complete a nursing program.
These may be general tests like SAT or ACT or other exams, designed specifically for nurses. Some schools will even require one of each category. Some of the most common tests for aspiring nursing students are:
- NLN PAX is one of the most frequently used entrance exams. Its focused on measuring your verbal ability, as well as your knowledge of maths and science.
- NET its also fairly common and it covers topics on reading and math at a high school level. Kaplan Admissions Test measures an aspiring nurses performance in reading, writing, math, science, and critical thinking.
- TEAS is another popular test that schools may use in order to determine how prepared aspiring nursing students are actually to enter the healthcare industry.
- HESI A2 assesses prospective nursing students knowledge in three academic areas: English, Math, and Anatomy & Physiology.
Each exam is different.
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Be Open To Relocation
As you are considering nursing school programs, look outside your geographical area. Consider applying for a spot in a program where there isn’t as much competition. For example, if you live in New York City, think about applying to schools in the surrounding states.
Although you’ll be charged out-of-state tuition, you may be able to make up the extra charges in scholarship awards and grants for nurses.
How To Conduct Yourself In An Interview
After the application process, the next step towards gaining admission into the program is usually an interview. Not all programs will have them, but if one youre applying to does, its important to give this part of your application as much consideration as any other. The way you conduct and carry yourself in the interview is important.
For starters, always be on time or slightly early. Showing up late will reflect badly on you and will hold up your interviewers who most likely have other interviews that day. Remember to dress professionally and act accordingly. Dont be stiff or overly formal, but make sure you show your interviewers that you are professional and well mannered enough to be a nurse.
During the interview, don’t interrupt, answer all the questions, maintain eye contact and ask questions when they ask if you have any. It shows you’re truly interested in the program. Even a small question, such as one about information on the website can show you have done your research on the program and want to learn more.
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What Is The Job Outlook For Nurses
One of the essential jobs in the world is that of a nurse. Nurses help people who have been injured or have diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease to live a healthier life. Nurses have a very positive job outlook due to the rising demand for healthcare services as the population ages, more people become seniors.
According to BLS, registered nurse employment is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. There has been an increase in nurse openings over the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue throughout the next decade.
Nurses can earn up to $100,000 per year depending on where and how many hours they work each week. In some programs, nurses can earn bonuses if they complete certain courses, such as ethics or drug administration guidelines.
How Hard Is It To Get Into Nursing School
Nurses at every level of patient care are trusted with the health and wellbeing of their patients, which is an enormous responsibility. You are quite literally responsible for the lives of your patients which requires a high level of professionalism, skill, and personal accountability. So, it makes sense that nursing programs would be demanding and selective when it comes to student admissions.
Nursing schools must carefully evaluate each applicant to ensure they are capable of handling the rigor and demands of a nursing program. They must have high academic and ethical standards for entry into the program and look for applicants that are capable of living up to the high standards of the profession. Nursing programs have a responsibility to not only the students that are accepted into their program but also to the profession as a whole.
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Hardest Things About Nursing School
While getting into nursing school can itself be a challenge for all the reasons mentioned above, once you start nursing school, youll have a completely new set of hurdles to clear. Nursing school is hard, thats for sure, but its all for good reason: All the challenging course material, practice in skills and simulation labs and clinical rotations you experience in nursing school could someday be applied to save a patients life.
Of course, the answer to what is the hardest thing about nursing school? depends on whom you ask. To give you multiple perspectives, we asked a few Misericordia ABSN graduates about how they overcame some of the most challenging aspects of accelerated nursing school.
Is Getting Into Nursing School Worth It
Yes. Getting into nursing school is worth it for anyone wanting to become a professional nurse or advance their career in the medical field. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of a registered nurse is $70,335, per year. A nursing degree will allow you to kickstart your journey into a lucrative nursing profession and earn a competitive salary.
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Your Future In Nursing
When you have a BSN and registerednurse license, you open the door to a vast number of career opportunities inNew Jersey and beyond. After all, a growing number of healthcare employersacross the country are starting to realize that the more nurses with BSNdegrees they employ, the better the patient outcomes.
In 2020, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing surveyed nursing schools about employer preferences in relation to student education levels. Of the 647 schools that responded, here is what the AACN discovered:
- 41.1% of healthcare employers require new hires to have a BSN.
- 82.4% of healthcare employers strongly prefer BSN holders.
Plus, having a BSN paves the wayfor career advancement. You have the opportunity to go on and earn a Master ofScience in Nursing with specialty certification.
Registered nurses with an MSNhave access to some of the highest-paying jobs in the profession, including nurseanesthetist, nurse practitioner, and nurse midwife. These nurses can alsopursue positions beyond the bedside such as healthcare administration.
Universities Offering Nursing Degree Programs With High Acceptance Rate
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format with high acceptance rate.
Metropolitan State University offers a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Classes can be taken online or through a hybrid format. To graduate, students must complete 56 credits. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 from any previous nursing courses and be registered nurses.
Acceptance Rate: 96.7%
Metropolitan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Missouri Southern State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students must complete 120 credits to graduate. If an interested applicant is a registered nurse, they may enter the program as a transfer student and take exams to receive certain credits. RN to BSN applicants must have a GPA of 2.0 from a previous institution.
Acceptance Rate: 96.2%
MSSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
New Mexico State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with 3 entry plans, including one for registered nurses. RNs can potentially complete the program in 4 semesters when studying part-time. To be eligible for this track, applicants must be registered nurses, have a GPA of 2.75 or higher, and have an associate degree in nursing.
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Acceptance Rate: 83.5%
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Nursing School Challenges: How Hard Is Nursing School To Pass
Even with the strict requirements and against the backdrop of competitiveness that describes the field of nursing, you managed to get into your nursing school of choice. First off, congratulations, but at the same time, beware, the hard part is just beginning.
Nursing school is difficult, no doubt about that. Theres lots of learning, the exams are challenging, schedules are tricky, assignments constantly pile one on top of the over. All these have the potential of making your student life really hard. Of course, for every nursing student, the experience and the training process goes differently. Some find it easier to memorize great amounts of information, while others excel at clinicals.
In the end, how hard nursing school actually is up to you. In general, these are some of the most common challenges nursing students face:
Are Bsn Programs Hard
BSN programs may be challenging because they require an extensive level of time and study. On average, the course takes four years to complete. Since it takes longer, candidates are more likely to spend lots of time in class. Learners can expect a more comprehensive course with detailed explanations of nursing theory and research. The student will also go through an internship period before graduating.
This program prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam, which you can take after graduating. BSN programs give special attention to the following areas:
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Health assessment
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Pathophysiology
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Pharmacology
Students are given medical equipment, supplies and textbooks after paying the tuition fee. Since this program takes longer than ADN, it increases the likelihood of passing the RN exam. Also, hospitals give more priority to registered nurses who have bachelor’s degrees. Therefore, this program is more likely to increase your chances of getting hired as an RN.
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Ask The School What They Value In Their Students
Generally speaking, schools value well-rounded students who have volunteer experience, good test scores, and meet the minimum GPA standards. It is in your best interest to speak with the admissions counselor to determine how highly each of the admission requirements is ranked.
For example, while one program may weigh the GPA heavily in admission criteria, another may prefer students with experience in healthcare or give extra points to letters of reference. You can’t meet the criteria for admission until you know what it is.
Nursing School Acceptance Rate
A nursing school with high acceptance rates is usually easier to get into as well. Some schools only accept around 60% of their applicants. In comparison, other schools accept around 95% of their applicants.
The acceptance rate for nursing schools varies drastically, but schools that accept more students than they reject may be easier for you to get into.
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What Is The Quickest Way To Become An Rn
Typically, the fastest way to become an RN is to earn an associates degree in nursing, which is called an ADN. While you can become an RN with a bachelors degree, it is not necessary. An associates degree usually takes just 18 months to complete, while a bachelors usually takes 4 years to complete.
There are accelerated bachelors in nursing programs, though, that can fast-track the process. If your GPA is not as high as you would like, you may want to know that there are accelerated BSN programs with high acceptance rates offered at a growing number of universities.
Plus, some universities offer accelerated nursing programs online in addition to their classroom-based options. If you are a licensed practical nurse , you can likely build from that to earn your ADN. LDN-ADN programs usually only require half the credits as ADN programs.
How Hard Is It To Work While Youre In Nursing School
Another thing that makes nursing school particularly hard is how complicated it is to be studying nursing and holding a job at the same time.
Work and school are both major commitments and some people cannot simply choose one over the other. Having a stable source of income and not needing to work for a living is not a luxury everyone has. So, because the process of juggling a job and school is no easy feat, nursing school is even harder for working professionals.
Explore some essential tips that will help you balance working full time and meeting the demands of nursing school.
Some nursing programs are even harder than others: accelerated programs tend to be more demanding, so it would be even more complicated to divide your efforts between work and school. At the same time, you could choose a program that lets you study at your own pace but keep in mind that that might extend the duration of your studies.
All in all, you need to find your learning style and motivation to keep going even when you are tired and unfocused after a long day at work. We are here to help you through the process. Read our post on how to effectively study while holding down a job in order to make the best out of both experiences. With a plan of action, a well-defined schedule, and lots of motivation, nursing school might come just a little bit easier.
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It Depends On Your Level Of Dedication
To be successful in an accelerated nursing program, you need to make your education a top priority. While you may be the perfect nursing school applicant on paper, if you dont have the time to commit to your studies, youre not going to be able to keep pace in a full-time ABSN program. After all, our ABSN students spend between 40 and 60 hours per week on their education.
Its important to note, however, that many of our ABSN students have significant family obligations but still manage to keep up with their nursing studies. They make it work through advanced planning and time management, which involves building a strong support network before starting nursing school.
Tips For Passing The Nclex
The NCLEX is the licensure examination from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Its a pass or fail exam that every state uses to test your skill level before granting you a nursing license.
Testers are usually allowed 6 hours to complete the NCLEX. The test consists of anywhere from 75 to 265 questions, depending on how quickly you pass or fail. Preparing ahead of time can increase your chances of passing and can make the entire experience a more positive one.
Here are some ways to improve your chances of passing the NCLEX:
The NCLEX is designed to focus on what you were taught in school, and it is purely based on science and deductive reasoning.
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Life As A Xavier Absn Student
Once accepted into our ABSN program, your journey as an accelerated nursing student begins on orientation day, which typically takes place at your location of enrollmentour ABSN Learning Center in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Clevelanda few days before classes start. During orientation, youll meet the other students in your cohort, receive your student identification badge, go over program basics, and get an overall lay of the land.
Pass Rates Being Used As A Measure Of Program Quality
It is because of a combination of all these factors that nursing programs are extremely competitive and even though the need for nurses is skyrocketing, the supply simply cannot meet the demand. Were not saying nursing education shouldnt be competitive.
Were just saying it should be competitive because of the right reasons: because the responsibility is huge and RNs need to be prepared for everything. But, nowadays, that is only partially the case so nursing school remains a very tough shell to crack. But if you do become a nurse, the meaningfulness of the calling makes the effort worthwhile.
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