My DMs are often frequented with aspiring nursing students seeking tips and suggestions on how to get into nursing school. If only you could rub a magic lamp and genie Natalie appears and grants your wish. Unfortunately, I cannot present you with an acceptance letter. However, what I can do is spill some juicy secrets and provide tips for some awesome application boosters to help you stand out from the HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of applicants that nursing schools sift through!
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE STEPS ON HOW TO BECOME A NICU NURSE, CLICK HERE!
Healthcare is booming. There is never a shortage of sick people (or newborns) nor will there ever be enough nurses. As demands for healthcare continue to increase, as does the shortage of nurses. Why? Money! It take a lot of time and financial resources to train a brand new nurse. That said, it is important to make yourself as marketable & desirable as possible. If you have decided to begin your journey to becoming a registered nurse, this post is designed specifically for you ♥
So, let’s address the obviously question: How do you get into nursing school?
NATALIE’S PERSONAL NURSING TIPS
1. NEVER GIVE UP!
For starters, DO NOT give up! Keep persevering and stay determined. Don’t lose focus and do NOT let anything stop you or get in your way! If you know you are meant to be a nurse, GO FOR IT! I am here to tell you that you can do it! Motivation is the key to success! I knew that nursing was my calling. Therefore, I never gave up! That is my advice to you. Find a way to make it work! You may have to go far above the call of duty. Work another job, volunteer more often, retake a class or two to get the better grade, look into other cities (or states), commute a long distance, sacrifice social life, minimize distractions, forego family time, etc. I did all of the above and it was SO worth it!
2. RE-TAKE THE CLASS
If you have to, just do it! Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed, and please don’t beat yourself up. Nobody is going to know. I had to retake two classes during undergrad because I received poor grades. I struggled in Statistics and Microbiology and got “C’s” my first go around. I retook the courses during summer terms and ended up with “A’s!” Wanna know a secret? Sometimes, professors are much more lax & laid back and the curriculum is WAY easier during summer terms. Was it fun? No! Was it time consuming? Yes! But it was so worth it seeing that shiny “A” on my transcripts. Boosting those grades was key for my application to nursing school.
3. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE YOUR INTERVIEW
Some nursing schools require an entry interview. Fortunately, mine did not. If this is the case for you (and it will be for your first job, too) I suggest you start preparing now! Practice, practice, practice! I was horrible at interviews! I was the nervous, sweaty type who would always overthink and ramble on and on and on with overwhelming feelings of what to say. But I practiced! If I stumbled over words, I re-practiced questions until I had my answers memorized! It wasn’t until I started my job, joined the interview committee, and was able to sit on the OTHER side of the table when I finally started to feel confident about my interview skills. For a list of commonly asked questions for new grad RN positions in the NICU, click here!
4. VOLUNTEER
Make time in your ALREADY overly busy schedule to volunteer in your community. Community service is the perfect selfless act that shows how you go the extra mile. This is what nursing school directors love seeing! They know your schedule is already jam-packed, but showing you care enough to find time to give back to a special cause that’s close to your heart really sets you apart from other applicants. Find something you are passionate about. Whether it be children’s health, Red Cross, the Heart Association, student leadership, homeless shelters, hospital work, or veteran’s causes—there are so many organizations that could greatly benefit from your service and desperately need your help! I volunteered at a local Alzheimer’s center and cooked food for homeless shelters during my undergraduate career. These were awesome experiences that helped me to shine on my application and proved that I was a well-rounded candidate.
5. WORK IN THE FIELD
Take on a part-time job as a CNA, scribe, volunteer, secretary, etc. Working directly in a hospital can give you great "in field" experience, offer opportunities to learn about units first hand, and most of all, NETWORK! You will have opportunities to meet nurses, staff, hiring managers, etc. A face to a name is SO important!
6. MAKE SEVERAL BACK UP PLANS
And a back up for your back up plans. Personally, I had plans A, B, & C. If I wasn’t accepted into my first choice, I had alternate back up schools and programs already planned out. There are so many options out there. If something isn't working, make plans for your next move. STRA-TE-GIZE!
7. GO THE EXTRA MILE
Many schools require different curriculum, and some classes that transfer to one school may not be transferable to another. One school may require a particular class or lab, but another may require a different one. I opted to take that extra lab or course just in case I needed it for another school. Through this, I actually learned more! Some classes I decided to take actually helped my overall nursing thought process and taught me MORE than I had previously anticipated! Planning ahead and going the extra mile can make a big difference.
8. SHOOT FOR THAT BSN DEGREE
Although this is not a hard and fast rule, most new grad programs (in teaching hospitals, Level I trauma centers, Children’s hospitals, Level IV NICUs, etc.) require a “Bachelor of Science in Nursing” degree. In addition, most hospitals are moving toward becoming "Magnet" certified. Magnet is a nationwide program focused on improving patient outcomes with improved nursing engagement. Part of this includes hiring and having a Bachelors prepared nursing staff. Healthcare is focused on having more highly educated staff members. Therefore, many hospitals are requiring nurses to return to school in order to obtain this degree. In addition, opportunities for advancement (Management, Education, etc.) require advanced practice nurses. My advice is to pursue that BSN! I promise you won’t regret it!