A Third Of Qualified Applicants Are Turned Away
Competition for entry into nursing programs is intense. According to the National League of Nursing, roughly one-third of all qualified applications are rejected by BSN programs. Top nursing schools are looking for the best of the best, so even students with a high GPA may find themselves turned away. If you find yourself barely meeting the criteria for acceptance into a nursing program, you may need to consider applying to more than one school or taking steps to boost your qualifications prior to applying.
Ready To Get Into Nursing School
If you think you have what it takes to get into our 16-month ABSN program, we encourage you to contact our admissions team. The counselor you speak with can verify your eligibility and help you determine whether the accelerated path to nursing is a good fit for you.
When it comes to our ABSN program, we have site locations in Burlington, Massachusetts, and Charlotte, North Carolina, each one offering three start dates a year. No matter which location you choose, youll receive the same accredited nursing education that stands out with healthcare employers.
Determine Which Type Of Nurse You Want To Be
While nursing may seem like a straightforward profession on the surface, there are a number of different levels and specialties within the field. The quickest path to becoming a nurse is becoming a licensed practical nurse . If you decide to go the LPN route, you will be qualified to administer medicine, check patients vital signs and perform a variety of tasks under a supervising registered nurse .
If youre looking for more medical duties, becoming an RN could be a more suitable path to take. RNs serve as a direct link to patients, expertly coordinating necessary medical care, education and support. You can become an RN with an Associates Degree in Nursing .
Some RNs also opt to obtain a Bachelors of Science in Nursing . BSN-qualified nurses often perform the same duties as those with an ADN, but they are also qualified for more leadership and management positions. Once youve earned your BSN, you still have options to advance your nursing career by pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing degree , an excellent option for those whod like to work in leadership or teaching positions within the field of nursing.
Each of these education levels includes a multitude of types of nursing positions. Doing some research into these opportunities can help you identify a career path that aligns with your personal skills and interests. From there, you can determine how much of an educational commitment youll need.
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What Is The Nclex
The NCLEX is your nursing board exam. It is a comprehensive computerized exam. Its anywhere from 75-265 questions, and you have up to 6 hours to take the exam.
You take the test and a few days later will find out if you passed or not. Once you pass this exam, you are officially a registered nurse! If you do not pass, you must wait 45 days before you can test again and test no more than 8 times a year .
To sit for this exam, you must graduate from a nursing school, register with the appropriate state board of nursing , and register for the exam.
Which school is for me? Many factors come into play when deciding which nursing school is best for you. These factors include cost, location, the timing of schedule, degree, current educational level, first-time NCLEX pass rates, and accreditation.
What do you mean by first-time NCLEX pass rate?
The NCLEX pass rate is the percent of program graduates that pass boards on the first try. This is important to know! You want to know what percent of each graduating class is passing boards the first time around because if their graduates pass boards on the first try, that means they were adequately prepared. You can find this information on the state board of nursing website .
What do you mean by accreditation? Basically, your nursing school must be accredited by the appropriate accrediting body to say, Yes, this school provides education under a nationwide standard for nursing.
Students Pushing For Changes In Admission Process
Despite the high demand for more nurses, students at some California community colleges are finding it difficult to get accepted into nursing programs.
Its a problem that leaders of the student senate of the California Community Colleges want to confront to eliminate a controversial lottery system that has prevented some students from becoming nurses.
Of the nearly 80 nursing programs offered in the 115 campus community colleges, some use a lottery system to admit applicants. Some students have complained of yearslong waitlists, preventing them from pursuing their major.
Were going to have a lot of nurses quit because of Covid, and were not going to be able to replace them fast enough, said Katelyn Bourne, a former member of the student senate and transfer student at Humboldt State. Why not make a system across the board to get students into nursing? Make it first come, first served.
In a first-come, first-served system, students would be enrolled as they are accepted into the nursing program.
Its unclear just how many colleges use a lottery program. A 2019 report on the 77 nursing programs in the community college system found that 47 campuses used a multi-criteria screening process that evaluated for any degrees or certificates they already hold, GPA, volunteer work, interviews, recommendations and life experiences such as being a first-generation student or coming from a low-income background.
The report also found that California is producing fewer nurses.
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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.
Things No One Ever Tells You About Nursing School
Jan 5, 2018 | Blog, Nursing Students
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Thinking about going to nursing school? Youre headed for a great career, one thats rewarding, challenging, and always exciting. But nursing school is notoriously difficult. Most nursing programs require high GPAs and impressive scores in math, chemistry, biology, psychology, and other demanding subjects. Its also extremely fulfilling. These are things most people already know about nursing school, but what about the things no one ever tells you? Here are a few of those things.
1. You Will Pull All-Nighters
Nursing school isnt for the faint of heart. In fact, it can be extremely challenging. Just take a look at the curriculum for the Johns Hopkins School of Nursinga school that, by the way, is consistently ranked in the top three nursing schools in America. Master of Science in Nursing candidates at Johns Hopkins must complete nearly 50 credits and 500 clinical hours to finish their masters program.
Bachelors candidates take longer to graduate than ever before, with most nurses spending more than four years earning their undergraduate degree. Because nursing programs tend to be more demanding in terms of credits, many students are forced to fast-track their degrees by taking multiple hard classes at once. If youre in nursing school, that means several of the most stressful mid-terms and finals at the same time.
2. You Will Experience Burnout
3. Youll Have to Spend Money Out of Pocket
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Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into In Nyc
You should thank us because we have rounded up the 7 easiest nursing schools to get into in NYC for you! Getting into college you really want can be a tough challenge, especially if you werent a good student in high school. Nevertheless, many of those students end up being much better students once they start studying something they really love. And nursing? You got to love it to study it! Your number one motivation for getting into a nursing school should be love for this profession because it is a tough calling that demands a lot of devotion.
If you are 110% sure that you want to become a nurse, you will be happy to know that Center on Education and the Workforce predicts high demand for this profession all through 2020. They estimate that there will be around 1.6 million job openings, and that will be a lack of around 200,000 qualified nurses. Furthermore, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses should grow by 15% , which is much faster than the national average for all the other professions.
michaeljung/Shutterstock.com
If you are not too hung up on studying in NYC, or in New York for that manner, then check out some other Least Competitive Nursing Schools in America.
Myth : Youre Never Going To Make Money As A Nurse
Nurses are laughing at this nursing school myth all the way to the bank. Nurses actually make good money. Some nursing professions, like nurse researchers, even make between $105 and 130k annually. While the median pay for most nurses is roughly $70k per year, thats still a nice paycheck to take home, so dont let someone fool you into thinking its not. Nurses are paid well because they work hard and they deserve to take home a paycheck that reflects that. Not only that, travel nursing contracts will sometimes add in bonuses, especially during times of public health crisis when nurses are in huge demand.
Now that you know these nursing school myths are just myths, nursing school should be easy, right? Well, kind of. Nursing school will still take work, but let Picmonic for Nursing be your favorite study guide. Picmonic can help you learn better every day with mnemonic visual study aids that help you retain more information in less time with fun stories and characters that boost retention up to 331%! Sign up to get your free Picmonic trial today.
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What To Look For In An Adn Program In Oregon
Choosing the right ADN program takes a little work. Youll want to fully explore any prospective schools and ensure that they have the following:
Accreditation
Proper accreditation is extremely important for any ADN program. Youll want to ensure that your school has received an endorsement from national organizations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and/or the American Association of Colleges of Nursings Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education . Its also crucial to check that a prospective program is approved locally by the Oregon Board of Nursing.
Licensing
To become an RN, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination upon completion of your ADN. Its a good idea to check your school of choices nursing curriculum to ensure that it will prepare you to pass the exam. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 87.8% of new nurse graduates in Oregon who took the NCLEX in 2015 received their licenses.
Program Outcomes
When comparing ADN programs, its good to check program statistics as these are a good sign of the schools success. Youll want to look for things such as:
- Graduation rate
- Graduate satisfaction
- Employment rate
Sumner College in Portland, OR, is one example of a college offering an accredited ADN program in the state.
Nursing School Offers Immense Opportunity
Accelerated nursing school is challenging, but it offers a tremendous payoff. After successfully completing all the online coursework, skills and simulation labs, and clinical rotations, you will be more than prepared to become a BSN-educated nurse.
Says Mercer ABSN graduate Nicholas: It is an amazing program with an amazing opportunity, and it gets you into what you want to do so much faster.
Are you ready to face the challenge of nursing school? Contact one of our enrollment counselors to see if Mercers ABSN track is right for you.
Recommended Reading: Mercy School Of Practical Nursing
How To Answer Nursingschool Interview Questions
Before we dig into the actual questions, lets take a moment to cover how you want to answer them. The approach isnt unlike a job interview. And, with the right strategy in place, you can be ready for common questions as well as unexpected ones.
How do you create an effective strategy? First, it helps to understand what the admissions board is looking for.
Nursing schools want to know that you can succeed not just as a student, but as a nurse, too. Along with a strong foundation education and GPA, nursing schools want to know that you have drive. Many consider nursing a calling. If you can show them that you have a passion for patient care and health, youre more likely to impress.
Additionally, they look for a range of other traits. Nurses need stellar organizational skills, the ability to adapt to hectic or chaotic environments and ever-changing priorities, and to be accountable for their actions. Having empathy is also a must, ensuring you can connect with your patients and put yourself in their shoes. Communication skills are vital, as well.
Now that you know what you need to highlight, its time to dig into how to showcase your talents. Usually, youll tap on the qualities mentioned above when answering behavioral interview questions. Weve discussed behavioral interview questions in depth before but, for those who arent familiar with what they are, heres a summary.
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.
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Maintain A Positive Attitude
Never underestimate the power of positive thinking. If you walk into a test believing you will fail you may very well second-guess yourself or be less motivated to try as hard with the mindset of There is no way I am going to pass this exam, so why even bother trying? On the other hand, a test-taker with a more positive outlook is more likely to go into the exam with confidence.
According to Taylor, the recipe for success in the Mercer ABSN program is positivity plus commitment and determination.
Maintain that optimism and work hard and you will be successful. You can do this program, you just have to be passionate, and you have to put in the time and do the work. With that, you should pass and get through with flying colors, Taylor says.
Why Be A Nurse
There are many reasons you may want to become a nurse. Whether you have a family member who is a nurse or you like the pay, it is safe to say that all walks of life congregate in the nursing field.
Not surprisingly, these questions will become a theme throughout your nursing school experience and career. Answers can vary, and there really isnt a wrong answer. The most common reason why someone wants to become a nurse usually results from an encounter with another nurse who has touched their life.
But no matter if you like the medical field or want to feel like you made a difference, the reason is only part of your decision. Considering the nursing school, the prerequisites, the lifestyle, etc., can become overwhelming. NRSNG is here to help break this down for you.
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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.