Ways To Get Accepted Into Nursing School
Research multiple schools to find the right fit Nursing programs are now offered at many, many types of schools. From big public institutions to small private nursing schools the options have never been greater.
Ask yourself some key questions about each school:
- What type of learning environment do I thrive in?
- Do I require a lot of extra help and one-on-one teaching and will I be accommodated?
- Can I afford tuition or qualify for enough financial aid?
- Is the commute realistic?
- Do I have to arrange my own clinical hours or does the school arrange them?
How Do You Become Certified As A Nurse Practitioner
After completing an accredited nurse practitioner program, you’ll need to become certified in whatever NP specialty you have chosen. There are different certification organizations depending on what you’re specializing in. They include:
Each certification board will have different requirements, though all will require you to have completed an accredited nurse practitioner program and to pass a certification exam.
Funding Your Master Of Nursing
There are a number of funding packages internal and external available to Master of Nursing students. Internal funding can include graduate scholarships, graduate awards, and teaching assistant positions. External funding can include funding from nursing organizations, as well as from the provincial and federal governments.
Returning full-time students who did not receive an entry Scholarship or Award, but who perform at the level required will be eligible for consideration for an RGF and/or a Graduate Departmental Award after their first year in the Master of Nursing program. Such awards will be dependent on availability of funding.
Returning full-time students who did receive an entry Scholarship or Award must refer to their Terms and Conditions document for information related to the terms of renewal. Note that typically an internal scholarship, fellowship or award is tenable for the term set out in the award letter, usually two terms or three terms they are not renewable. Eligible students will automatically be considered for scholarships, fellowships and awards in subsequent years.
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Dnp And Msn General Admission Requirements
Applicants must be a commissioned officer or service-sponsored civilian in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Public Health Service with an earned Bachelors from an accredited university.
Applicants must be competitively selected twice to attend USU, first by their service branch and then by the GSN admissions committee.
Admission deadline: August 15th.
- Completed USU Application
- Current curriculum vitae
- Earned Bachelors or Masters Degree with a concentration in Nursing from an accredited university.
- Original transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions you attended, whether or not a degree granted. Transcripts may be mailed or emailed directly from the educational institution:
- Mailing address:Office of the University Registrar/GSN Admissions4301 Jones Bridge Roador have electronic transcripts sent to
- GRE scores within past 5 years
- School code: 5824, Dept. code: 0610 send directly from ETS to USU
- Evidence of current, active, unrestricted nursing license from any of the 50 states and territories
- Current single page service-specific officer brief
- Evidence of current Basic Life Support Certification
- Evidence of any professional nursing certifications
Preparing Tomorrows Health Care Leaders
Ryersons Combined MN/PHCNP Certificate program is part of Canadas largest nursing school. But it’s our small classes, outstanding faculty, and unmatched sense of community that draws the countrys best and brightest nursing professionals here.
Conveniently located in downtown Toronto, the at Ryerson is a hub for advancing nursing knowledge and transforming nursing practice.
Our members are leaders in their fields researchers, clinicians, and gifted educators whose caring and commitment create an unparalleled learning environment.
Our students are smart, committed professionals preparing to take their careers to the next level in:
- Leadership
- Research
- Public health and more
We offer them rich, rewarding opportunities for practice, education and research, and support their success with resources like our Advanced Health Assessment Lab, monthly research colloquia, Faculty Advisors, and dedicated Graduate Placement Coordinators.
Graduates from our programs go on to advanced practice and leadership roles across health care sectors and play an active role in shaping the future of our health system.
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University Of Nevada Las Vegas
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Tuition and Fees: $27,934
Depending on the precise specialty chosen, students may be able to take most of the required courses for their masters degree online. Some courses may only be available on-campus, however, depending on the preferences of individual instructors in the program. A thesis, capstone paper or utilization project may be required as part of the degree completion requirements for this program.
University Of North Carolina Wilmington
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Tuition and Fees: $16,428
The masters degree in nursing program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is designed to provide students with a thorough grounding in all aspects of primary care in clinical and practice situations. The curriculum takes two and a half years of full-time study and has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, making it a solid investment for students looking to take on increased responsibilities as an advanced practice registered nurse in the larger medical community.
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Why Choose The Np Program
Youre ready to have greater independence in your career and make an even bigger impact in the lives of your patients. As a nurse practitioner, you will bring a level of expertise and professionalism thats rewarded with a higher salary and a stronger connection with the individuals and families in your care.
The Nurse Practitioner programs at the UR School of Nursing are some of the best in the nation. It was the groundbreaking work of our founding dean, Loretta Ford, more than 50 years ago which led to the creation of the nurse practitioner role and changed the way health care is provided.
Today, our faculty include pioneering researchers and clinicians that set the standard for nurse practitioners specializing in fields like pediatrics and psychiatric/mental health. The University of Rochester Medical Center an innovative and leading health care network provides the ideal setting for in-depth clinical experience.
What Will I Learn In My Program
Your coursework will depend on your specialty, but the focus will always be on patient care. NPs have an advanced scope of practice that allows them to take on many of the duties traditionally associated with physicians, but NPs always work from a nursing perspective.
Nurse practitioners are trained to be holistic, for your physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs, explains Hunt.
The course of study is all-encompassing and includes everything from physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutrition, behavioral issues, cultural issues, physical exams, minor procedures, and more, says Hunt. In other words, the focus on wellness goes beyond just treating an illness or injury.
Nurse practitioners treat the whole person not just their illness.
You think about things from the patient perspective and work with them as partners in health, says Hunt. The books, tools, and training often overlap with medical training.
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Certifications For Popular Specializations
The type of NP certification you earn will vary depending on your specialty or subspecialty. Here are examples of some popular NP specialties and the certifications you can pursue:
- Family Nurse Practitioner Certification , offered by the ANCC
- Family Nurse Practitioner certification, offered by the AANPCB
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care , offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
Delivery Formats For Accelerated Nurse Practitioner Degrees
Accelerated nursing programs use multiple delivery formats. Examples include accelerated online nursing programs, bridge programs, and direct entry programs.
Online programs sometimes use hybrid formats that blend the virtual and traditional classrooms, allowing students to complete some coursework online and some on campus. The structure of online and in-person components varies by program, so prospective candidates should understand their campus attendance requirements before applying.
Schools also offer 100% online programs that do not require on-campus presence. Online courses follow asynchronous or synchronous models. Asynchronous delivery means lectures are pre-recorded. Students can self-schedule and engage with coursework when convenient.
In contrast, synchronous online classes occur live, in real-time sessions. These courses follow set schedules, and virtual learners must log in at the specified time.
Bridge programs allow students with prior nursing education to earn academic credentials more efficiently. Its name derives from the fact that the program “bridges” gaps between the student’s current knowledge and the knowledge associated with the culminating degree.
Bridge programs usually require existing RN licensure, which facilitates faster completion by reducing or eliminating introductory material.
Students become eligible for RN licensure after completing their prerequisites. After obtaining licensure, they proceed to complete their MSN degrees and become NPs.
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Submit An Accurate And Complete Application
Avoid an application or resume with grammatical or spelling errors, as these can disqualify an applicant immediately.
The resume is the best piece of the application. Be sure it is up-to-date, accurate, and without a lot of extra “fluff.” Remove any track changes as this can lead the college to assume the applicant is not committed to nursing. Include any work history, volunteer hours, leadership activities and education and have it reviewed by a professional for a nominal fee.
What Is A Nurse Practitioner Clinical Placement
A nurse practitioner clinical placement is essentially an intensive internship in a health care setting undertaken as part of your graduate studies. It is a required component of MSN-FNP and Post-Masters FNP Certificate programs, including at Carson-Newman.
Advanced nursing practice is both an academic and practical discipline. As such, students need to experience both sides of the equation to be the best possible health care provider. Your clinical placement is an opportunity for you to apply what youve learned in class to the real world.
During the process, you will continue to develop your skills through regular evaluations by Carson-Newman clinical faculty. Your on-site preceptor will also help to guide you on a day-to-day basis as you learn your rotation.
Your nurse practitioner clinical placement may take place in a variety of settings, such as a:
-
Hospital
-
Long-term care facility
-
Nursing home
Carson-Newman is proud to support students through the nurse practitioner clinical placement process, shaping the next generation of FNPs.
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What Type Of Np Should You Become
Are you interested in advancing your nursing career? Are you ready for the responsibility of diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications and interpreting laboratory results? If so, you should consider a career as an NP, a type of advanced practice registered nurse . Use the survey below to determine what type of NP career aligns with your goals and passion.
Are Nurse Practitioner Programs As Competitive As They Seem
I receive a lot of questions about nurse practitioner program applications. From deciding how many applications to submit to drafting a personal statement, the NP program application process can be quite overwhelming. Another concern among many applicants is that nurse practitioner programs seem to be quite competitive. While many universities are home to selective nurse practitioner programs, they may not be quite as difficult to get into as it appears looking at their stats.
Over brunch with a friend who also happens to be a college admissions faculty member at a prestigious university, I learned a few juicy tidbits about the admissions world. While this particular friend has a career focused on undergrads, the same principles apply to programs at all levels of the educational continuum. Heres the scoop.
Colleges and universities are numbers oriented. They want their programs to look selective and competitive to better their public image. Publishing an acceptance rate of 25% looks much better than admitting 80% of applicants. As a result, what we will call creative data tracking ensues. Essentially, universities fudge the numbers. Big name universities like Emory and George Washington University have been caught misrepresenting admissions data in past years. Illinoiss law school was fined for falsifying admissions data along with about 15 other law schools.
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University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Tuition and Fees: $15,744
UTHealth offers both Masters and Doctoral degree options to become a family nurse practitioner. Once accepted into the MSN program, students have the option of registering in the Emergency/Trauma Care focus. UTHealth FNP students obtain hands-on experiences during their required 600 clinical hours, which provides a foundation for their future clinical practice.
Np Requirements By Degree Type
NP programs for individuals with an associate degree in nursing typically require an RN license. While other admissions requirements depend on the individual school, applicants are often required to hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Additional admissions materials may include GRE test scores, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a completed application, and a statement of purpose. Learners can also explore RN-to-NP bridge programs and ADN-to-NP bridge programs, allowing students to satisfy degree requirements at an accelerated pace.
Many colleges and universities offer BSN-to-NP programs that require candidates to hold an RN license and a BSN. While admissions requirements vary between institutions, applicants can expect some similarities between programs.
Prospective BSN students should provide a completed application along with their official high school transcripts. Most schools expect candidates to meet a minimum GPA requirement usually, between 2.5 and 3.0. Other admission materials can include letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and ACT or SAT test scores.
Some programs require degree-seekers to demonstrate at least one year of prior nursing experience, although many BSN-holders go directly into an NP program without practicing as an RN first. In addition, students can often earn their degree online and complete their clinical hours at a location near their residence.
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Proof You Can Finish The Program
This is the unspoken elephant in the room. Grad school is hard and NP programs are rigorous. Admissions committees like to see evidence that you have done the planning and can navigate the financial and family stresses that go along with acceptance into an NP program. Schools are not a fan of students who do not successfully complete a program. You need to prove that you have put enough thought into how you will survive the two to four years it will take for you to finish the program.
Once your application is received, most universities use a system that assigns points to each individual requirement. The applicant is then ranked according to the total score. Your essay and interview is how you will show your true readiness for the next step in your career and thus will carry at least as much weight as your grades and experience. If you can speak clearly to the three points I have outlined, you will greatly increase your chances of admission.
See what job opportunities await once you finish your NP program.
AboutRenee Dahring, NP
Renee Dahring, NP, has worked as a family nurse practitioner in the prison and jail system since 2001. In addition to her clinical practice, she helped build and grow a successful staffing company in Minnesota and teaches nursing as adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota. Dahring also writes a blog with career and job search tips for Advance for NPs and PAs, and manages a website that offers career advice at NPCareerCoach.com.
Can You Earn A Nurse Practitioner Degree Online
Remote learning has become increasingly popular, and online NP degrees at both the MSN level and the DNP level are offered through many of the countrys top Nurse Practitioner programs.
This has allowed nurses to continue to work and support or care for themselves and their families while at the same time furthering their education and professional opportunities.
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State Authorization And Professional Licensure Disclosures
As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. & 34 CFR 668.72).
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.
Please visit the Universitys state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. – )
Enrolled students who change their current address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. .