Whether you’re helping someone recover from surgery or guiding a family through a difficult diagnosis, nursing work is hands-on, meaningful, and deeply respected. With a nursing degree, you can choose from a wide range of roles, from bedside care to public health, leadership, or advanced practice. You’ll have the flexibility to work in fast-paced environments or community settings, and your skills will always be in demand. When you’re ready to start a challenging and rewarding career that gives you the chance to help others every day, start by understanding the nuances of how to get into a nursing program.
How Hard Is It To Get Into a Nursing Program?
Getting into a nursing program can be challenging. To start, schools often have high admission standards because they prepare you for a profession that demands critical thinking, compassion, and technical skills. The curriculum is intensive, covering subjects like anatomy, pharmacology, and patient care.
Additionally, programs require clinical rotations, which depend on partnerships with healthcare facilities. These facilities have limited capacity to train students, restricting the number of available spots in nursing programs. Furthermore, there’s a shortage of qualified nursing faculty, as many nurses opt for higher-paying clinical roles over teaching positions.
Nursing Program Acceptance Rates
Acceptance rates for nursing programs often vary widely, and entry to top-ranked schools can be very competitive. For instance, the University of Michigan School of Nursing only accepts about 18% of applicants. Conversely, Davenport University accepts nearly all nursing school candidates with a 99% acceptance rate.
Several factors influence how hard it is to get into a nursing program. Colleges with strong reputations for rigorous curricula, experienced faculty, and successful graduate outcomes often attract more prospective students, making admission more competitive.
Furthermore, when a program receives a large number of applications, competition increases, and acceptance rates decrease. This scenario is common in states like California, where some nursing programs have acceptance rates as low as 1% due to high demand and limited resources.
Do You Need a Certain GPA for Nursing Programs?
Most nursing schools require a minimum cumulative GPA of around 3.0. However, more competitive programs may expect higher GPAs, often above 3.5, especially for science-related courses. You might still get into a nursing program with a lower GPA if you demonstrate strengths in other areas, but a higher GPA generally enhances your chances of acceptance.
Other Nursing Program Prerequisites
Beyond GPA, nursing programs typically require the completion of prerequisite courses before admission. These courses provide the foundational knowledge necessary for nursing education. Common prerequisites include subjects in the sciences, mathematics, and social sciences.
Some programs may also require you to complete an entrance exam, such as the TEAS or HESI A2, which assesses your readiness for nursing coursework. Additionally, programs may consider factors like healthcare experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statements during the admissions process.
What Should You Look For When Choosing a Nursing Program?
It’s important to consider several key qualities when selecting a quality nursing program. Make sure the program is recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, as this affects your eligibility for licensure exams and future educational opportunities.
Investigate the program’s NCLEX-RN pass rates, which reflect how well the curriculum prepares students for the licensing exam. Consider the availability and quality of clinical placements, and evaluate the faculty’s qualifications and their accessibility to students. Additionally, assess the program’s flexibility, such as part-time options or online coursework, especially if you have other commitments.
Different nursing programs offer various degrees that cater to specific career paths:
- Associate Degree in Nursing: This two-year undergraduate program prepares you to become a registered nurse.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing: A BSN is a four-year degree that combines nursing theory, clinical practice, and general education.
- RN to BSN: This program is designed for licensed RNs who hold an ADN and wish to pursue a BSN.
- Master of Science in Nursing: An MSN is a graduate-level degree for nurses aiming to specialize in areas such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse educator.
Each of these degrees supports different professional goals, so you’ll want to consider your career aspirations and desired level of responsibility when choosing which nursing program you want to get into.
What Should You Do If You Get Waitlisted?
An admissions waitlist is a roster of applicants who meet a nursing program’s qualifications but aren’t offered immediate acceptance due to limited available spots. It’s not a rejection; being waitlisted means the program acknowledges your potential but must first determine how many accepted students will enroll. If openings arise, the school may extend offers to individuals on the waitlist.
If you find yourself on a nursing program waitlist, you can still take proactive steps to improve your chances of admission:
- Confirm Your Spot on the Waitlist: Respond promptly to the program’s instructions to secure your position on the waitlist.
- Express Continued Interest: Send a polite email to the admissions office reaffirming your enthusiasm for the program and your readiness to enroll if a spot becomes available.
- Update Your Application: If you’ve achieved higher grades, gained additional healthcare experience, or improved your test scores since applying, inform the admissions committee to strengthen your application.
- Prepare for Admission: Begin organizing necessary documents, such as immunization records and financial aid materials, so you’re ready to act quickly if offered a spot.
- Stay Informed: Keep in touch with the admissions office for any updates on your waitlist status and inquire about the likelihood of acceptance from the waitlist.
You can also use this opportunity to apply to get into nursing programs with more availability. For example, at The University of Olivet in Michigan, we do not maintain a waitlist and offer immediate enrollment for qualified students.
Will Experience Help Strengthen Your Application?
Admissions committees often value applicants who have engaged in hands-on healthcare roles, as these experiences offer insights into patient care, healthcare environments, and the responsibilities of medical professionals. Professional medical opportunities that can strengthen your nursing school application include:
- Certified nursing assistant
- Medical scribe
- Hospital or clinic volunteer
- Emergency medical technician
- Patient care technician
- Hospice volunteer
These real-world experiences can help you develop critical thinking, communication, and empathy, all essential skills for successful nursing practice.
Steps for Getting Into a Nursing Program
If you have not already, you must first graduate from high school or earn a GED. Focus on biology, chemistry, and algebra, which provide a strong foundation for nursing studies. A solid GPA, particularly in science and math, will make you a more competitive candidate for getting into nursing school.
1. Complete Prerequisite Courses
Before applying to a nursing program, you’ll need to complete specific college-level courses with at least a 2.0 grade. Common prerequisites include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Nutrition
- Psychology
You can take these courses at a community college or university, or you may be able to fill the requirement with AP-level high school classes.
2. Take Entrance Exams
Many nursing programs require applicants to take standardized entrance exams to assess readiness. The two most common exams are:
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS): Evaluates skills in reading, math, science, and English language usage
- Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment (HESI A2): Assesses knowledge in areas such as reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, math, biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology
Check with your chosen nursing schools to determine which exam and what minimum score they require.
3. Apply to Nursing Programs
Once you’ve met the prerequisites and taken any necessary exams, you can apply to nursing programs. You will typically need to include:
- Transcripts: Official records from high school and any post-secondary institutions attended
- Letters of Recommendation: Usually from teachers, employers, or healthcare professionals who can verify your qualifications
- Personal Statement or Essay: An opportunity to explain your interest in nursing and your career goals
It’s generally a good idea to submit your application and documentation as early as possible. This can often increase your chances of getting into a nursing program before it reaches capacity and help you avoid being waitlisted.
4. Attend Interviews
Nursing school interviews assess your motivation, communication skills, and alignment with the profession’s values. Develop a concise personal narrative highlighting your relevant experiences and qualities such as empathy and resilience. Practice with mock interviews, answering common questions like:
- Why do you want to become a nurse?
- Describe a time you handled a stressful situation.
Dress professionally, arrive on time, and bring any necessary documents. During the interview, listen attentively, answer thoughtfully, and ask insightful questions about the program. Afterward, send a thank-you note to express appreciation and reiterate your interest.
5. Secure Financial Aid and Scholarships
Nursing education can be costly, but various financial aid options are available:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Qualify for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs
- State Aid: Receive state-sponsored financial assistance for residents pursuing post-secondary education
- Scholarships: Earn financial aid available specifically for nursing students from schools, healthcare organizations, and foundations
Research and apply for financial aid early to make sure you meet all deadlines.
No Waiting To Get Into the Nursing Program at The University of Olivet
At The University of Olivet, you don’t have to worry about getting stuck on a waitlist to get into our nursing program. With an acceptance rate of around 85%, you have a real opportunity to move forward without sitting out a semester or more.
As a student, you’ll benefit from smaller class sizes, personal attention from faculty, and direct access to clinical experiences across Michigan. Learn more about how to prepare for a rewarding career in healthcare with a nursing degree from The University of Olivet.