Become a nurse, and job opportunities will cascade around you like pennies from heaven. That’s a prescription for hope among today’s doom and gloom reports of layoffs and high unemployment, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics an expected 22 percent growth rate through 2018 makes this career pulsate with life. Retiring nurses, an aging population, and an increase in diabetes and heart disease means less nurses, and more patients. Read “job security.”
But getting accepted in a nursing program is tough, and carries a 1-3 year waiting list at some schools. Why? Because of faculty shortages. One community college in the east has almost 200 applicants each year, but only 30 available slots. So how do the 30 get chosen? Acceptance is highly competitive. Colleges are looking for the crème de la crème because dropouts take someone else’s seat that might have succeeded. Keep reading to find out how to make your nursing degree dreams come true.
Secret #1:
Investigate the school you want to attend. Is it approved or accredited? If it isn’t, find another college. Graduation from an approved/accredited college is a requirement for sitting for the National Council on Licensure Examination for RN’s (NCLEX-RN), needed for practicing as a registered nurse, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). You can find this information at the U.S. Department of Education website. Some states’ board of nursing websites also have this information, like the New York Board of Nursing, for example. One of their pages warns potential nursing students (look for “NYS Nursing Programs”) about non-approved institutions.
Secret #2:
What’s the pass rate on the NCLEX-RN at your chosen college? This is a biggie. Who wants 2-4 years of time and effort wasted because of failing the NCLEX-RN? Find it at your state’s board of nursing website, and decide whether to defer to another school. I’d look for 90-100 percent, and the higher the better. Samaritan Hospital in New York boasts a 97.4 percent pass rate in 2010, which says they must be doing something right. Nursing schools can be put on probation, or shut down if they don’t have a certain passing percentage.
Secret #3:
Talk to a guidance counselor at the college you want to attend: Ask what they require for admission to the nursing program, when you should apply, and don’t forget to ask for a list of scholarships.
Secret #4:
Start early. In high school, meet with guidance and discuss goals. Work hard to earn top grades in classes like algebra and science, among others. Do well on the SAT. And don’t be a troublemaker. Recommendation letters from high school teachers, principals, and guidance counselors can make or break you.
Secret #5:
Take vocational education classes in high school, like Health Occupations. Students in these classes learn basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, how to take vital signs, and they get CPR certified. Some even offer Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training-required for admission at some nursing schools. What better way of putting your tax dollars to work for you! If the school doesn’t offer the classes, but another one in your county does, you may qualify for “out of district placement.” Talk to your school for more information.
Secret #6:
Earn points. Many colleges accept students into nursing programs based on their rank. Sacramento State University in California (SAC State) awards three points each if you have completed a foreign or sign language course (High school classes count), or if you have 100 hours of health related work experience-paid or volunteer-in the health care field. Pre- and co-requisite GPA’s can help your point status at SAC State too. You’ll need a 3.3 to even be considered. That will earn you one point, while a GPA of 3.9-4.0 will get you 50 points.
Secret #7:
Volunteer at the right places. When considering community service, think “health facilities” like your local hospital, or at your community’s medical or dental clinic for the poor. Most hospitals have “candy stripers,” a volunteer program for high school students. Not only do these hours look good on college apps, and for some scholarships, but remember those points in secret #6?
Secret #8:
Be prepared to take a nursing entrance exam that assess math, science, reading, and English skills. Two examples are TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), and HESI (Health Education Systems Incorporated). If it’s been a while since you attended high school, buff up on these skills.
Secret #9:
If all else fails, find another college without a waiting list. They’re listed here: http:/www.discovernursing.com
By following the tips in this article, your chances of nursing school acceptance won’t be guaranteed, but you will have an edge. And you’ll be on your way to a career offering unparalleled job opportunities!