application letter for admission into nursing school

How to Write the Nursing School Personal Statement: Steps, Tips, And Samples

Introduction

A nursing career allows individuals to help patients in a nurturing environment, and to find their existential fulfillment. As a result, many learners decide to pursue a career in the field, and you are one of these individuals!

Eager to receive an acceptance letter? You know that you’ll need to submit the application material in a timely fashion, and part of that process involves crafting a stellar personal statement for nursing school.

According to a  report by CNN , many applicants are rejected from nursing schools, unfortunately. Even when you feel that you have solid writing skills, you must hone these talents and gear them specifically toward that nursing school personal statement.

After all, you are looking to boost your chances of acceptance. Following a process and learning key pointers about this essay will help you to succeed.

Preparatory Work

Don’t simply sit down at the computer and start clicking away on the keyboard. Crafting a compelling personal statement for your target nursing school involves a significant amount of preparatory work. As seasoned writers know, the art of writing is a process.

Step 1: Research the Schools

Each school is going to have its unique requirements, and you want to know what those requirements are. Researching different programs serves multiple purposes. For example, you can start to rank the programs in order of your preference. Secondly, you get to determine what schools are reach schools and which institutions are your safety schools.

This process will also help you to get a sense of how competitive your personal statement should be. The best According to a ranking of  2023 Best Colleges for Nursing in America , the University of Pennsylvania, Emory University, and Duke University are listed as the top three.

If you’re applying to one of those institutions, you should go through your personal statement with a fine-tooth comb!

Step 2: Write Freely

At some point in your educational career, you’ve likely been asked to write freely about a topic. As you start seeing the prompts from different nursing programs, feel free to type your ideas, preferably, in a word-processing program on your computer.

You could challenge yourself to address one or more of the following prompts:

• What was your reason for choosing nursing as a career? Do you have any additional information that you would like the admissions committee to know about you that has not been previously considered in the application? (2000 characters)
• Discuss your interest and understanding of the clinical nurse leader role.   What experiences have contributed to your interest?  (2000 characters)
• The goal of the Doctor of Nursing Program is to prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice.  Describe experiences that exhibit your leadership skills. (2000 characters)
• Discuss the clinical specialty area you are interested in pursuing. What experiences have contributed to your interest? (2000 characters)
• Discuss a population of interest in your work setting. What experiences have you had with this population? What health care needs do you see in this target group? (2000 characters)

Check out more  nursing school personal statement questions .

While the schools to which you are applying might not ask the exact questions, you have at least started to get your creativity flowing in terms of what you might write.

Step 3: Talk to an Admissions Counselor

As you’re narrowing down your choice of nursing schools, consider scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor. Aim to schedule an on-campus appointment if possible as this gives you a real feel of the school environment. Where it is impossible to get one, as with the current Covid-19 pandemic, consider a virtual or telephone appointment.

An admissions counselor will provide you with guidance that is specific to their nursing school’s acceptable personal statement. In other words, different schools have varying expectations. While the admissions counselor may not answer all your questions, you still have a chance to receive valuable insight.

Step 4: Review Genre Conventions

Whether you applying at the undergraduate level or graduate level, you are already familiar with certain genre conventions. What you must recognize is that a personal statement can be quite different from other academic pieces that you have done. Penn State offers some great pointers on  elements that characterize a personal statement .

For example, you might think that a personal statement needs to follow a five-paragraph format with a thesis statement as the last sentence of the introduction. While some personal statements take on this format, others employ a more reflective structure.

Step 5: Thoroughly Check Requirements

You want to make sure you know exactly how many nursing school personal statements you have to write for your application and what the requirements are for each one. Take an example from medical school. When students apply to medical school, they typically have to write one larger essay followed by several shorter ones.

Knowing the expectations of the specific programs to which you are applying can help you budget your time appropriately. Pay close attention to deadlines as well. Submitting an application after the posted deadline is a sure way to seriously lower your odds of getting admitted.

The Writing Process

Once you have completed the research phase and gathered preliminary information, you may think that you’re ready to craft the final version of your essay. However, writing is an intricate process. Allowing yourself adequate time to go through this process will heighten your chances of drafting a captivating essay.

Step 1: Print or Write down the Prompt

You must adhere to the prompt. Period. Keep in mind how crucial it is to follow protocols in the field of nursing. If you cannot follow the guidelines for a nursing school personal statement, the admissions committee may doubt your abilities in the field.

Printing out the prompt or jotting it down is quite useful because you can visually assess if you have checked off all of the requirements. Pay attention to how the prompt is worded. Further, note any length requirements; you may have to write at least a certain number of words or ensure that your essay does not exceed a specified number of characters.

When essays have character limits, make sure to find out if the character limit includes or excludes spaces. As you go through the writing process, you can check off each requirement on the prompt.

Step 2: Use a Brainstorming Strategy

I am confident you have great brainstorming techniques up your sleeves. If not, The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers some very handy  brainstorming techniques  that you could use.

Try to resist the urge to skip right ahead to the full first draft. Brainstorming allows you to get your ideas out. For example, you might look at the prompt and make a list of whatever ideas comes to your mind. You don’t need to worry about organizing them or fully developing the content yet. You could also craft a formal outline as you brainstorm ideas. See which strategy works best for you.

Some writers like to use the actual writing out of sentences as a brainstorming technique. With this approach, you could just write or type whatever ideas come to mind. Setting a timer for this activity is useful. Then, you can go back in to shape your ideas.

Step 3: Craft the First Draft

Writing can be intimidating. You might feel as though you are totally committing to whatever words you put on paper. But the drafting process helps to overcome this anxiety. Sitting down to write the first draft means that you know you will make changes. As a result, you do not feel as pressured.

For some, writing is an enjoyable process; for others, just the thought alone is enough stress and a nuisance. If you fall into the latter group, budget your time. You could allocate an hour each day for a week to put together the first draft. This strategy works even when you love writing.

Step 4: Start with What You Know

Many writers become so concerned with the first sentence of their introduction that they end up losing valuable ideas for the rest of the essay. For example, imagine that you have four main ideas that you would like to explore in your nursing school personal statement. Your natural inclination might be to write about the experience that happened earliest chronologically before you tackle the others.

Consider the fact that you might feel more comfortable writing about the second or third chronological experience instead. Start with those paragraphs. You can then build the essay around them. Getting started is often the most difficult part of a writing project, so starting with what you know can help to inspire the rest of the piece.

Step 5: Prioritize Higher-Order Issues

In writing, topics such as organization, addressing the prompt, and developing ideas are often considered more important than issues like grammar and spelling. Of course, you want to present polished grammar and proper sentence structure in your nursing personal statement, but these issues are less important in your first draft.

When you are creating your first draft, pay attention to the content. Work to get the paragraphs into reasonable order, and aim to develop your ideas as much as you can. You will worry about the grammar, sentence structure, and proofreading issues when you go to revise.

Step 6: Put the Essay Aside

As mentioned earlier, planning your time is vital when it comes to the writing process. Therefore, as unorthodox as it may sound, you need to disconnect yourself from the work for quite some time before reviewing. Putting your work away for at least a day is a smart move. By doing so, you have the proper amount of time to really assess the changes that you want to make.

It’s tempting to immediately go into your paper to revise after writing the first draft, and this urge is particularly strong when the deadline is soon. You might miss important information though. Waiting allows you to recall more important details that you want to be included in the essay. Taking a break from your personal statement allows you that necessary mental space to potentially come up with fresh ideas.

Removing yourself from the project for some time also helps with editing. When you are first writing, you may include some unnecessary details about events related to nursing or your reasons for becoming a nurse. These details may be important to you, but they might not be important for your essay. Putting your work aside for some time will help you gain that perspective.

Besides, picking up on proofreading and editing errors is difficult when you have just written the paper. Your mind is likely to read the work as though it is correct because you just wrote it and you know what the text is supposed to say.

When you come back to read the text later, you are likely to catch these mistakes. For some, printing out the essay and editing it by hand seems to work great. Make sure to read the text out loud to catch errors. In other words, you may hear issues more readily than you see them.

Step 7: Visit a Writing Center

If available to you, a writing center is extremely valuable. Ben Rafoth in  Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing  explains  why writing centers are so valuable.  The main idea here is that you get the chance to review the work with a tutor. Having the insight of a professional or a peer on your work is crucial.

Writing centers function in a variety of ways. Some tutors may require students to read their papers aloud while others might make markings on the student’s paper. If you are already a student at a college, you likely have access to a writing center right on campus.

If you do not, ask a few people to read over and review your essay ( me shamelessly plugging in our services page here 🤦). Sharing your work with others might feel frightening, but keep in mind that an outside reader can offer you important insights.

Step 8: Revise and Revise Some More

One round of revisions is typically not enough for an important piece of writing. You want to make sure that your personal statement for your target nursing school is as polished as it gets. Now you will have to decide how many times is enough revision.

But as a rule of thumb, aim for at least 3 rounds of revisions. As you go through each essay each round, you will likely notice grammar and sentence-level issues that need fixing. At some point, however, you will feel confident with your paper. Then, you are ready to submit the document.

Related: 8 Best TEAS Prep Courses Today, According to Nursing Students

Topics and Approaches to Consider

In addition to allowing your writing to develop over time, you also need to make sure you are selecting appropriate content. But remember, you must always strive to address the specific prompt from your target nursing program. Consider the following clever tips to make your writing shine:

Tip 1: Start with an Anecdote

You want to grab the attention of your readers at the beginning of your nursing school personal statement. Beginning with an authentic anecdote is one way to do so. For example, you might bring in a specific experience that encouraged you to want to become a nurse or a situation that had a profound influence on your life.

Remember the importance of authenticity when taking this approach. You might feel like you need to manipulate the experience to make it sound more dramatic than it was. However, bear in mind that a commitment to honesty is imperative to your nursing goals.

As a word of caution, the admissions team has quite possibly read numerous nursing personal statements in the past, which means they can sniff out your inauthenticity from a mile away! You do not want that, now do you?

Tip 2: Talk about Yourself

Many students fall into the trap of talking about other people more than they discuss themselves. You might have a profound story about how a medical situation with one of your grandparents inspired you to become a nurse, or you might want to share details about an internship that you had with a particular nurse.

What you do not want to do is end up writing more about your grandparent or the nurse with whom you worked than you do about yourself.

While these individuals may very well have played a crucial role in your decision to pursue a nursing career, they are not the ones applying to a nursing school. You are essentially trying to sell yourself to the admissions committee. Talk about how these experiences shaped you and what you learned from the situations. Keep the focus on yourself.

Tip 3: Discuss the Target School

Chances are that you are applying to multiple nursing programs. If you are thinking of applying to only one program, casting your net wider is definitely wiser. After all, you don’t know for certain that you will gain admittance into your program of choice. When you apply to different schools, you should tailor the personal statement to each institution.

It’s quite possible that each school will ask you a similar question or that the prompts will resemble each other. While you might be compelled to do a one-size-fits-all personal statement for each of the nursing schools, that would be a sure recipe to get a rejection letter. The writing will sound as though it has been repurposed.

The admissions committee wants to see why you are a good fit for that specific school, not simply nursing schools in general. Now, of course, you can potentially use the same base. For example, you might want to share the same volunteer experiences or internship experiences with each school. However, you should have a section that is thoughtfully tailored to the individual school.

Incorporate specific details about the school that show why you want to go there. You could highlight particular classes that interest you or discuss a few of your role models who are that school’s alumni- basically, anything that, without a doubt, demonstrates that your essay is intended for the specific school.

Take a look at the following excerpt from an actual personal statement. While it is not for a nursing application, it should elaborate on the point.

“RIT is an excellent choice for me because it has successfully carved out a reputation for itself as a leading technology university. The availability of top-notch facilities, like the Simone Center for Student Innovation and RIT Venture creations Incubator, continue to set the university apart from its peers. As a result, the university sports a vibrant entrepreneurial culture that is leveraged on technology to inspire learners to identify problems that require innovative solutions. Importantly, I believe the MS TIME program will enable me to experience entrepreneurship in a reimagined way, like never before.”

Tip 4: Know What to Avoid

You already know that you should avoid manipulating personal stories and writing generic essays. You should also avoid begging for admission into the school. Further, avoid integrating clichés into your writing. Instead, look for personal ways to convey your ideas instead of simply regurgitating.

Avoid plagiarism as it can affect you professionally. Running your work through a  plagiarism checker  will weed out accidental plagiarism. When you read samples, you absolutely must not copy them.

Nursing School Personal Statement Examples

How about we examine (and comment on) some excerpts from samples of personal statements- to give you a general idea and hopefully get you started. Ready? Let’s go!

“Nursing is a very versatile field and the subjects I am currently studying have many links with adult nursing. Studying psychology has made me aware that the mental health of a patient is just as important as their physical well-being. I have learnt that the brain and the body are never in harmony, which can explain why we are such a diverse species in the way we act, or the beliefs we hold…”

– Read the rest  here

Commentary : The student does a splendid job of connecting his educational experience to the nursing field. He might want to watch for absolutes, such as the word “never.” But as long as you can back up your assertion, you are free to say what’s on your mind. The student should, however, break down this wall of text into two separate paragraphs, for readability purposes.

“After a series of illnesses and injuries during my early childhood, I was introduced to the role and care of Nurses. It was from here I became fascinated and realised this could be a satisfying future outlet for my empathetic self. I feel that nurses are truly inspirational professionals. They provide an inestimable service to society whilst working in a highly demanding and very challenging career, assisting individuals and their families through difficult times when they are at their most vulnerable. I feel I am ready to embark on this career and start to fulfill this ambition of mine to become a children’s nurse.

I believe nursing is a career in which I will excel because of my compassion for those who are at their most vulnerable. My ability to empathise with individuals would provide a positive nurse and patient relationship, putting the child and family at ease, allowing the family to approach me for support and guidance and therefore meet specific needs of the child and their family. Self-confidence is something I consider to be highly important within a nursing career. Having self-belief when working under pressure and in stressful situations is crucial when ensuring high quality care is delivered. Nursing can be a stressful career where traumatic situations are common…”

Commentary : This is an excellent example of how to start a personal statement for nursing school, and transition effortlessly from the introductory paragraph to the next. The student here clearly connects her experiences as a child to her desire to be a children’s nurse. And just from reading this sample, you feel she is well qualified for admission!

“I want to be a nurse to do something worthwhile with my career, I don’t want to waste my days working behind a computer, I want to be a nurse to utilise all of the best parts of my character…”

– Read the rest  here

Commentary : What’s useful here is that the student speaks with confidence. He seems to have a pretty clear direction from the start. However, the writing does contain comma splices, which is a grammar mistake. While the word “something” is vague, it wouldn’t be if the student elaborated on the same paragraph or the next one.

Also, the student here could better consider the audience. In this case, the audience might consist of admission committee members who work on a computer all day, and they might feel a little offended from reading the first line. Even if their personal feelings aren’t supposed to come into play when assessing the essay, the readers are likely not going into the rest of the essay brimming with enthusiasm.

In addition, the student should consider improving the opening line by focusing more on his specific goals and by eliminating information that could potentially alienate the audience.

“My motivation towards nursing did not emanate from anywhere. I relate it to the experiences that I have had since I was young. As I reflect on my life back, I remember that I grew in a family where my father and mother were nurses in the nearby hospital. I witnessed the care and love they extended to the infirm, some of who came to the hospital in dire conditions. As we lived in the staff quarters, I got a chance to sneak to my father’s office and saw how he handled the patients of different ages. I was encouraged to see him listen and take the history of every patient, something that enabled him to make an accurate treatment decision. since then, I wanted to extend the good works that I witnessed with my immediate parents…”

Commentary : This student does not have very advanced writing skills, which is why you can see her commit some grammar mistakes. For example, she ought to write “sneak into” instead of “sneak to”. However, she does a great job demonstrating how her past has led her to want to pursue a career in nursing. Do not be afraid to tell such a story on your nursing school personal statement. Just don’t dwell too much on it. And ensure the story is legit.

Writing a personal statement might seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you do have to take several steps before you are ready to submit a polished essay and hopefully get accepted into your program of choice.

Keep in mind that your efforts will be worth it. Obviously, other aspects of your application come into play- Factors such as your GPA, recommendation letter, etc.

However, it is on your nursing school personal statement that you have the chance to really  craft your story how you deem fit  and showcase yourself in the best possible light. By putting the necessary time and effort into it, you could find yourself studying to become a nurse when the next semester begins.

Related Nursing Readings: 

13 Best Books for Nursing Students to Read- Reviewed

Is a Nursing Degree Worth it? Explore the Benefits

13 Best Online Nursing Programs for Non-Nurses

The 5 Absolute Best NCLEX Prep Books

Best NCLEX Prep Courses, According to Nurses

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Similar Letters

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• Express your desire to apply for the teaching post.
• Mention where you heard about the opening if you want to.
• List down your qualifications and perhaps the goals that you have.
• End on a good note.

SAMPLE LETTER

[Letter Date]

[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-

Dear [Recipients Name],

I am writing to you to express my interest in applying for the available teaching position in your esteemed school. I was informed of the opening through the ad in our local newspaper, and I immediately jumped at the opportunity to submit my application to you. I believe that I am the ideal candidate for this teaching position since I am a hardworking, patient, and skilled individual who is willing to learn and train to become one of the best teachers in your esteemed university. Please find attached my resume which details the skills and various experiences which I have had in the past. I look forward to your positive response.

Sincerely, [Senders Name] [Senders Title] -Optional-

[Enclosures: number] - Optional - cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -

Application letter for a nursing school. Sample letter.

Further things to consider when writing application letters to schools

Application Letters

Application letters are letters that you write to formally request for something from authority, apply for a job, or join an institution. Effective application letters will give a detailed explanation for your interest in the specific item, company, or institution. They showcase your abilities and strengths and illustrate your experience. In most cases, people write application letters to express their interest in receiving a position, attending an institution, or when applying for a visa, for instance. In all scenarios, application letters must be accompanied by the relevant documents. Application letters are the perfect tool to demonstrate something of your personality. Therefore, you should write in a professional tone setting a clear outline that allows the reader to scan the primary data quickly. Introduce yourself and briefly explain your intent and reason for the application. Address the letter with a title or name of the recipient. If your application is for a job or to join an institution, for example, you need to highlight your experience and qualification; if you are applying for a travel visa, make sure to state a clear intention for your travel. End with a positive tone and invite the recipient to contact you.

Letters to Schools

Letters to schools are letters written to institutions designed to provide learning environment and spaces to pupils and students. There are many times when you may feel the need to write to a school administration. Maybe you want to recommend a student or employee or want to apply for an academic program. Perhaps your child has a disability, and you want to make sure that he/she is receiving special education services. Whatever the issue, putting your thoughts in writing avoids confusion since it provides you and the recipient with a record of your request. It is, therefore, crucial to keep a copy of any letter you send. All letters to schools must use the standard business letter style. Start your letter with the proper address and salutation. Introduce yourself and explain the reason for your letter clearly and concisely. Depending on the content of your letter, provide any documentation that gives the recipient reference to the case or clarifies your concerns. Keep the tone polite, respectful, and professional. Close by thanking the recipient for his/her time and with a note of anticipation of positive feedback. Sign off and proofread the final draft before sending it.

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How to Write a Nursing School Personal Statement: What to Include, Examples, and Mistakes to Avoid

So, you have decided to go to nursing school, or advance your nursing career by furthering your education. Now is the time to become familiar with the application process, get your transcripts and letters of recommendation in order and compose the, in some cases dreaded personal statement. Writing a personal statement is a common part of the application process when working to advance your education. However, the term "Personal Statement" is a bit of a misnomer. The universities and colleges asking for this essay are not looking for your life story. Instead, they want you to demonstrate what makes you uniquely qualified as a candidate for their program. In this post you will find the information necessary to make you stand out among hundreds of other applicants, create a personal statement tailored to your personal goals as well as to your potential institutions, and find out what common mistakes are made and how to avoid them.

Although some institutions will give you a specific prompt to discuss when applying to the program, many will request a general personal statement (aka a statement of purpose). There are some commonalities among all of these essays for which you will find appropriate advice here, to different degrees, depending on the program application requirements. Each of these essays should be written for the specific program you are applying to, so be wary of differences not only in essay type or topic but also appropriate formatting and length. Above all, be aware that you are writing to present yourself as a professional capable of caring for the lives of others; following their provided guidelines and avoiding familiar language (such as contractions and common word abbreviations) will allow you to present yourself in the best possible light.

General guidelines

The personal statement.

Although you want to refrain from telling the story of your life, you still want to make it personal. Be sure to illustrate with specific and unique examples why you are cut out for this career and the specific program you are applying to. There are many things that can be included in this category, not all of them will be right for each applicant to discuss or appropriate for the prompts that each individual provides. However, this list should give you an idea of what the evaluators are looking for in a strong candidate:

Educational background

• Did you take advanced biology classes in high school? If so, you may want to highlight this background and how it demonstrates your devotion to health care.
• Have you gone out of your way to learn relevant skills? Perhaps you can discuss your CPR certification training.
• Have you been administering insulin to a diabetic cat for years? This demonstrates a devotion to health care and the ability to learn transferable skills. In fact, my long history of doing this has come up in highly successful interviews in the past, which was the inspiration for this particular example. Although I was medicating a different species than I would be working with, this history demonstrates the ability to regulate insulin levels, properly store medication, fill a syringe safely, and correctly administer a subcutaneous injection.

Volunteer work

• Volunteer work at a hospital is likely a common point of discussion for aspiring nurses. e sure to tell a story about a situation that makes you stand out which solidified your certainty that this is the right field for you.
• Assisted living facilities, caring for special needs children, working at animal shelters, or volunteering at homeless shelters (among other things) may also be sources of inspiration that allow you to highlight why you should be accepted into the program.
• Supervisors in these types of positions may also be great resources for recommendation letters or potential proofreaders for the initial draft of your personal statement.

Work experience

• If you have worked in a related field in a paid position, this should definitely be not only included in your essay, but considered a potential source of a particularly persuasive letter of recommendation.
• Your employer may also be an excellent resource to ask for feedback regarding rough drafts of your personal statement.

Personal motivation

• Do you have a unique story that has compelled you to want to pursue the field of nursing; perhaps you helped care for a family member? These personal motivations are also excellent ways to set yourself apart.

Relevant acquired skills

• Have you acquired a particular skill set relevant to nursing outside of traditional means? This is the time to highlight that achievement. Perhaps you have experience working in a pharmacy or have proven yourself in high-stress situations; these characteristics translate well into the field of nursing.
• Another asset that you might find to be in your favor is fluency in a foreign language, or ASL. This unique skill set might make you a valuable candidate as well as a more highly sought after employee once you graduate.

Unique traits that make you stand out

• Thousands of applicants to nursing programs write that they have "always wanted to go into nursing", sometimes even in their opening line. Find a way to stand out.
• For example, in my personal statement, I wrote about how I actually did not have a traditional story that culminated in my pursuit of higher education. I found my way from grill cook and karate instructor to medical research science. Embrace the fact that you may not be conventional. Letting your personality, background and voice come through in your personal statement will help the admissions committee determine if you are a great fit for their program.

The right fit

As with any educational program, fit is important when looking into pursuing a nursing degree. Demonstrating that you have researched the program, and illustrating in your essay why it is the place for you, will set you apart from other applicants. Additionally, if your long term goal is to be an ER nurse, for example, and you are applying to a program known for a different type of nursing, application reviewers will see this in a negative light.

Essay topics

In some cases, colleges and universities will give you a specific prompt for this essay or ask for a series of short essays addressing particular questions. In these cases, be sure to answer their questions thoroughly and be aware of formatting guidelines and word count limitations. Equally important, be sure to demonstrate ways in which you are a good fit for not only the program, but also the nursing profession. This is a position that is both incredibly personal and physically demanding, but also a situation where you need to be cool under fire and fastidious with your work. Use any opportunity you can to demonstrate that you possess these characteristics in a way that makes you a highly competitive candidate and a potential star in your chosen field.

If you have applied for continued education in the past and have written this kind of essay before, you may have noticed that applying to nursing programs is a bit unique. Particularly, there is a more empathic slant to writing these essays. As personal statements go, writing one for a nursing program is much more 'personal' than preparing one for academic study. To put this all in context, below are some sample essay prompts used by nursing schools in the past. Following this, some advice from successful career nurses will lend an additional perspective from professionals directly working in the field you aspire to join.

Sample prompts

The Vanderbilt University website currently gives the following information regarding the personal statement portion of the application process:

Your Statement of Purpose should reflect your understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse and your interest in a particular patient population. Before writing your statement of purpose, please carefully review information about the specialty on our web site so that you clearly indicate to the faculty that your career goals are a fit with the specialty. If you are applying to a dual specialty, be sure to address the scope of practice in each specialty area. Students are offered admission to their selected specialty; it is not possible to enter the program undecided about your specialty area. Vanderbilt University

As you can see, this program focuses on your understanding of what it takes to work in the nursing field and puts a particular emphasis on the patient population you want to work with and the reason behind this decision. They also focus on familiarity with the program, as discussed above. These are points that likely generalize to numerous programs and to personal statements for this field in general.

Yale University has the following requirements, according to a website which generates advice specific to nursing personal statements. This site offers the following advice, which echoes the focal points found here, and may offer further information as you pursue your continued education and refine your personal statement. As you can see, Yale differs in its requirements and constrains the length of the personal statement considerably.

Yale University nursing requires you to write a 250-word essay with free choice of your subject. In writing your essay, it is important that this provides you the advantage to stay ahead of your competition. You should be able to include intellectual development, skills, interests, potential contribution to the progress of National University nursing and among many others. It is important to note that Yale University school of nursing utilizes strict admission process so you should be able to comply with top-notch standards. Do not compromise your admission simply by sending out a poorly written personal statement. To improve your chances in Yale University school of nursing, your essay should be able to reflect your dedication, excellence, commitment, and genuine interest to belong to Yale. In your Yale University nursing personal statement, you should also be able to highlight components of your background from academic to personal that will provide the admissions committee an overview of who you are and what you can deliver. To guarantee your admission in National University Nursing, you should be able to provide your readers with information that is unique and interesting that is not shown in any part of your application. Yale University

The essay requested in this case is considerably short, however, it allows you to write about the topic of your choice. This gives you the opportunity to present yourself as a unique candidate. In this personal statement, it is still important to choose a topic that allows you to address all of their listed points of concern to the best of your ability within the constraints of the allotted space. This excerpt also stresses the focus on compliance to high standards necessary to successfully complete the nursing program. Although this is a very short essay, it is emphasized how important it is to ensure that this work is well composed. Writing a rushed essay will be obvious to those reviewing applications and reflects poorly on your ability to perform at a high level, both academically and as a potential future nurse. Additionally, it is re-emphasized in this piece that it is important to understand the program to which you are applying. As they state, it is important to demonstrate a "genuine interest in belonging to Yale"; this is true of all program applications. Always focus a portion of your essay on demonstrating why this particular program is right for you and what unique skills you bring to the table that other applicants do not. Finally, always remember not to simply reiterate information that already has been included elsewhere in your application; be sure to tell the committee something new and interesting that gives you a competitive edge.

This differs from Fairfield University's DNP program , which requires that the applicant:

• Discuss a practice problem in your field that, in your experience, has a broad impact on patient care outcomes.
• State professional goals for the next 5-10 years.
• Explain how a DNP will help you reach your goals.

As you can see, depending on the institution and level of degree program that you are interested in, the requirements for application can vary greatly. In the case of the Doctor of Nursing Program offered at this university, the personal statement is more focused on the background of the applicant directly relating to their previous experience in their nursing careers. There is also a focus on the ability to think critically about the field, its shortcomings, and how they can be amended. This institution also has an interest in your long-term career development and plans for up to the next 10 years. Remember that reflecting on this in your personal statement allows you to demonstrate your potential to raise the reputation of the university in the long term, a topic that they have a demonstrated interest in learning about you as an applicant. Planning your long term career goals will also assist you in deciding which programs are the best fit for you and will allow you to gain the appropriate background to reach these goals over your career.

What degree program is right for you?

It is important to know that there are a variety of nursing degrees that can be applied for, even within a single university. Each of these offers a different career path, and potential for further education or future job promotion. Before you decide which program you want to attend, you should research the many options available within the nursing field. An example of the options that should be considered can be found at the University of Rochester website :

• Accelerated Programs for Non-Nurses (BS & MS) for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree and want to become a nurse in just 12 months.
• RN to BS program: for students who want to earn a bachelor's degree in as little as 16 months with part-time coursework.
• Clinical Nurse Leader (MS) for licensed registered nurses who already hold a bachelor's degree in nursing.
• Health Care Organization Management and Leadership (MS) for all applicants with a bachelor's degree.
• Nursing Education (MS) for nurses who aspire to teach at either a college of nursing or within a clinical setting.
• Nurse Practitioner program (MS) for nurses who want to provide another level of care for their patients.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for nurses entering at the post-baccalaureate or post-master's level.
• PhD in Nursing & Health Practice program for all licensed health professionals who already hold a master's degree.
• Legal Nurse Consultant Course for registered nurses or advanced practice nurses.
• Care Manager Education program for nurses or other health professionals currently working in a care manager capacity, or entering this growing field.
• RN First Assistant program for CNOR or APRN's.

This may not be a comprehensive list, but it gives you an idea of the level of diversity available to you. Become familiar with the programs at each institution you apply to and ensure that they will give you the appropriate foundation to achieve your long-term goals, both in your career and in potentially continuing your education further.

What do nurses say?

Discussions with successful nurses who have completed this process have revealed that, unlike personal statements for academic programs, this essay has a more personal bent. Revealing your altruism and desire to help people, as well as your motivation toward expanding your knowledge and personal growth are appropriate in these essays. You should also highlight how your increased knowledge and growth will allow you to help your patients and become a more effective practitioner. Emphasizing these things while telling an anecdotal story about volunteer work, an aid job, or other experiences will allow you the ability to express these things while demonstrating your unique skills and understanding of the field. Another point often made by individuals who have been successful in furthering their education, and therefore in writing these letters, is that it is sometimes appropriate to discuss your background disadvantages; perhaps you did not achieve top grades because you also had to work full time, for example. Communicating this to reviewers demonstrates that you can persevere in times of hardship and remained committed to your education.

Recapitulation of key points:

• Emphasize what makes you a unique applicant.
• Discuss why you want to be a nurse, and in what field, in a way that conveys your personality and sets you apart.
• Remember that this is a professional document; use formal language, not contractions.
• Do not start your personal statement essay with "I have always wanted to be a nurse." or "I have always wanted to help people." These, and similar sentiments, are common in these essays. An intriguing opening statement will get the attention of the application review committee and make you more memorable. Remember, the reviewers are reading hundreds of these a day, if not more.
• Refrain from reiterating the information that can be found in your application. Not only is this redundant, but you will be forfeiting the opportunity to demonstrate to the review panel how you stand apart from the other applicants.
• Research each program and write a letter that demonstrates why the program is a good fit for you.
• Remember to showcase any skills you have developed that will make you a successful student as well as a long-term asset to the program.

These techniques will allow you to compose a more competitive personal statement for any program you choose. A well-researched and written essay will give you an edge during the application process. Make yourself stand out from the rather large crowd of applicants with a compelling introductory statement and remember to be your (professional) self. This will help to ensure that you get accepted into a program that is a good fit for you, your education, and your career goals. Apply to multiple programs at a variety of levels of competitiveness, you will not get admitted into every program you apply to, but hopefully you will get into the right one.

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Home / Nursing Articles / The Do’s and Do Not’s of Getting Accepted into Nursing School

The Do’s and Do Not’s of Getting Accepted into Nursing School

How do i get accepted into nursing school, ways to get accepted into nursing school, what should i avoid when trying to get accepted into nursing school.

Over the last decade nursing school acceptance has become increasingly difficult. The call for individuals to join the ranks of registered nurses has been answered, in spades.

As a result of this, nursing schools have become extremely competitive compared to previous years.

From only accepting nursing applicants with very high GPAs to requiring volunteer hours, students are finding that getting accepted into nursing school has never been harder.

So a potential nursing student may ask themselves, “What can I do and what shouldn’t I do to get accepted into nursing school?”

SEE : Considering RN 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?

Apply to Multiple Nursing Schools

If during the research process many school are a good fit, by all means, apply to them all. The more schools applied to the greater the chances of being accepted for the upcoming semester. This also allows for options if multiple acceptances are offered.

Complete Many Volunteer Hours or Get a Job in Healthcare

Most, if not all, nursing schools now require volunteer hours. While there is no set amount required by colleges it can be anywhere from one hundred to multiple hundreds of volunteer hours. These are required to be in some healthcare capacity. Working in healthcare is a way to make your name stand-out among those who do not.

Become a CNA

Completing a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and working as a CNA looks good on a resume. The certificate programs is usually just a couple months and is a nice bridge into nursing. Read about becoming a CNA .

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.

Take the TEAS

The Test of Essential Academic Skill, or TEAS , is especially recommended for anyone hoping to get accepted into nursing school. While not every school may require it, a high score will make the applicant shine bright above the others.

Ace the Entrance Interview

Making a great first impression is what interviewing is all about. Be sure to show up early, dress professionally, and have great answers to potential interview questions.

Interview Questions for a Nursing Applicant May Include:

• Why do you want to be a nurse?
• How much time are you able to dedicate to studying and clinical hours?
• Describe a situation where you felt challenged
• What was your favorite prerequisite class and why?
• Can you discuss some hot nursing topics?

Don’t Miss the Deadline

Start your application early and don’t miss the deadline! Rushing the application is an invitation for errors and accidental omissions. What a shame to not be accepted into nursing school simply because of a forgotten piece of paperwork.

Don’t Forget You Can Re-Apply

After completing all those prerequisites, volunteer hours, and a having high GPA, you still didn't get in. Don't worry, you are allowed to reapply for next semester.

Try to get an idea of what can be improved in your application. Do you need more healthcare volunteer hours or a better grade in a class? Make some adjustments and the next application will be better.

Don’t Give up

Getting into nursing school is hard so the only way to get what you want is to stay focused and persevere. Remember the nursing school classes are actually harder than the prerequisites and only the strong survive!

While getting accepted into nursing school can be difficult the reward is well worth the hassle. Even if it takes a few tries, continually improving the nursing school application and being persistent will eventually help you gain acceptance into nursing school.

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Getting into a Nursing Program

In the coming years, there is expected to be high demand for registered nurses. Still, programs are competitive. The real obstacle to increasing the workforce is often at the educational level: having enough classes, enough locations for clinical training and enough nursing instructors. Meanwhile, nursing programs screen their applicants carefully: Who has what it takes to be successful? Who is a little more likely to complete the program, pass the licensing exam, and build a career?

Sponsored School(s)

There are admission standards at both the associate degree (ADN) and baccalaureate (BSN) levels. BSN programs are often more academically competitive. Higher level nursing programs are also more likely to ask for a resume, personal statement, and references. BSN programs include additional coursework in areas like nursing research, leadership, and public health. As a BSN student, you’ll be doing more advanced college level reading and writing; they want to make sure you have the skills.

However, ADN programs typically do have admission standards that go beyond those of the school they’re housed in.

Tips and Advice for getting into nursing school…

Academic Requirements for Nursing Programs

Expect some prerequisites at either level, but more for BSN programs. Common prerequisites at the ADN level include anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and developmental psychology; there will likely be some science courses required. At the baccalaureate level, statistics is a common prerequisite. Science requirements may include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and biology. Chemistry sometimes makes the list.

What about grades? BSN programs often set the minimum GPA at 3.0. ADN programs are more likely to set the minimum somewhere in the 2.0 to 2.75 range. Grades in prerequisite courses may be considered separately. *These are minimum requirements and to be competitive you should aim much higher.

When interest exceeds available spots, grades are often an important factor. This can happen at both levels. It’s not uncommon for students with GPAs far above 3.5 to be turned away from BSN programs. Still, nursing admission is like college admission: Different programs put weight on different things. Exceptional students are sometimes admitted to bachelor’s programs with less than a 3.0. Community colleges, meanwhile, do sometimes give priority to students who live in their service area.

Tests are generally required at some point – sometimes at the school stage, sometimes at the program stage. At the ADN level, the focus is often on having general academic aptitude: for example, reading at the 12th grade level. But again, if slots are limited, the TEAS may help you make the cut.

Tips for Getting into Nursing School: The Experience Factor and Such

If you’re planning to apply to nursing programs, start with the basics: Learn CPR . This may be among the admission criteria. It also demonstrates a commitment to learning.

Community service and volunteer work can look good to the admission committee, particularly at the BSN level. Rebecca Gary, PhD, RN, FAAN and Admissions Committee Chair at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University notes that community service involvement is positively reviewed by the committee in their selection process. Hospitals often have one or more volunteer coordinators. If you’re looking at a competitive program, try to stick with the same position for a length of time. That’s because your references need to be people who have known you for a while. Another option – a paid one – is to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. If your grades aren’t top notch, these experiences can make you more competitive.

The school will want to know, at the minimum, that you know the expectations and are committed to the field. According to the Tulane University pre-health advising center, competitive programs tend to ask for 100 – 400 hours of job shadowing. There are several sources to turn to find job shadowing opportunities. One is your local AHEC (Area Health Education Center). You might also look on the website of your nursing workforce center. (A starting place is the site of the Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers.)

If you’re still in high school, you can opt for nursing camp – some are absolutely free. There are also HOSA chapters in high schools and colleges; the organization develops skills and leadership ability in future health practitioners and giving them opportunities to network.

Visit the nursing school or schools you are planning on applying to. Sit in on classes to get a feel for what it is all about. Talk to students to learn their perspectives. They may even share some of their own tips on getting into a nursing program. Talk to the professors. Talk to the nursing school advisors. The advisors can give a a much more clear picture as to the competitiveness of the program, what the admissions committee may be looking for and where they place the most weight.

Your essay can go a long way in convincing the admissions committee that you have the academic ability to meet the demands of the nursing program. Share the path you took to deciding that nursing school was the journey you want to pursue. Make the essay unique. Write about what has motivated you to pursue this path. Describe what you will be contributing to the nursing field. Make sure to include why you have selected the school you are applying to including what makes it a good fit for you and them. Make sure the essay is well organized. Proof read your essay many times and have others you respect read it and make suggestions.

Supportive recommendation letters can carry significant weight during consideration by the admissions committee. Make sure they count. Just as you do with your essay, make sure to proof read and spell check the letters written on your behalf. Volunteering and community service can also be a great place to make connections and impress supervisors who may be able to provide the recommendation letter that sways the admissions committee in your favor.

Neatly package and organize your application and make sure it arrives prior to the deadline, preferably quite a bit prior. Make sure all of the answers are answered. Check, double check and triple check your application packet to make sure it is complete. You may even want to quadruple check it.

Be resilient . There are many qualified applicants who are not admitted on the first attempt, second attempt, third attempt, and so on. Hang in there and it can work out. It can be very discouraging, but know that you are not the only one going through the process. Stay positive. This is a good all around life skill as well.

*Make sure you speak with the nursing program advisor at the nursing school you are interested in, if possible, regarding what specifically the admissions committee wants to see in an applicant, what sets applicants apart from the rest and how the criteria are weighted in their decision process. You may get lucky and learn more than you expected. Good luck!

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Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN) Programs

Apply to UCF BSN Program

Admissions requirements for UCF College of Nursing bachelor’s degree (BSN) programs.

Please note: admission statistics are for the limited-access, campus-based BSN programs. Online programs are not limited access.

Prospective BSN students are encouraged to attend a UCF Nursing Information and Advising session. RSVPs are required for all campus locations. Register now .

For students unable to travel to campus for an information session:

• BSN Information Session Slides
• RN-BSN Post-Licensure Information Slides
• Florida College System Concurrent ASN to BSN Information Slides

Seminole State/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN applicants are also REQUIRED to attend an SSC Nursing Information Session . Get a head start by downloading the SSC/UCF Admissions Checklist .

Valencia/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN applicants are strongly encouraged to also attend a  Valencia Health Sciences Information Session . Get a head start by downloading the VC/UCF Admissions Checklist .

Students who have additional questions after attending an Information and Advising Session can  schedule an individual appointment  with a nursing staff advisor.

Applicants must earn a “C” (2.0) or better in all prerequisite courses.

If courses were taken out of state or at a private institution or if not part of the state of Florida common course numbering, you must submit a petition to the College of Nursing for all courses you wish to transfer ( see Petition and Check for Transfer Courses below ).

Please note that Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN and Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN students have additional prerequisite courses. See details below.

Science Courses:

• CHM 1032 (3) General Chemistry or other approved physical or life science*^
• MCB 2004C (4) Microbiology with lab
• ZOO 3733C (4) Human Anatomy**
• PCB 3703C (4) Human Physiology**

Other Courses:

• PSY 2012 (3) General Psychology* or SYG 2000 (3) General Sociology*
• STA 2014 (3) or STA 2023 (3) Principles of Statistics*
• DEP 2004 (3) Developmental Psychology
• HUN 3011 (3) Human Nutrition

Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN Additional Prerequisites

In addition to UCF’s nursing prerequisites above, Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN program students must also complete the following and earn a “C” (2.0) or better. Note that SSC will not accept “S” grades in nursing prerequisite courses as part of UCF’s spring 2020 S/U grade opt-in policy.

*Students are highly encouraged to meet with assigned SSC Advisor to discuss SSC requirements.

Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN Additional Prerequisites

In addition to UCF’s nursing prerequisites above, Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN program students must also complete the following and earn a “C” (2.0) or better. Note that Valencia College will not accept “S” grades in nursing prerequisite courses as part of UCF’s spring 2020 S/U grade opt-in policy.

*Also meets UCF’s general education requirements

^Chemistry is preferred and strongly encouraged. Must be a BSC, BCH, CHM, PCB or PHY course. If anything other than Chemistry, the course must have been taken at a Florida public institution or be an approved course through Academic Services via the Transfer Evaluation Request Process.

** Must take two courses from the SAME sequence: Sequence Option 1 (Human Anatomy and Human Physiology) or Sequence Option 2 (Anatomy and Physiology I and II).

Below are the minimum requirements needed to complete an application for the Traditional BSN , Second Degree BSN , SSC/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN and VC/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN programs at UCF.

Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements for these limited-access programs does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

3.0 overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale as calculated by UCF .

Prerequisites:

• Complete all but one of UCF’s nursing prerequisites ( see above ) by the application deadline. This means 7 of the 8 for most BSN programs, except SSC ASN-BSN is 11 of the 12 and Valencia ASN-BSN only STA 2023 or BSC 2094C may be outstanding.
• The one remaining prerequisite must be completed before the program start date.
• All nursing prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better (if you do not meet this minimum grade requirement, you will need to re-take the respective course until you meet the grade requirement).

Update 4/9/20: Seminole State College and Valencia College will not accept “S” grades in nursing prerequisite courses as part of UCF’s spring 2020 S/U grade opt-in policy.

TEAS® Exam:

• Register for and take the standardized  Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) .
• Must pass with a composite score of 78% or above before the nursing program application deadline
• Must complete all 4 parts of the TEAS exam
• Re-test policy:  Applicants may take the TEAS exam 3 times in a calendar year with a minimum of 30 days in between each attempt
• Visit  ATI Testing  for additional testing locations and test preparation materials
• UCF Test Prep offers a 30-hour comprehensive TEAS Review Program

I f applying for the UCF College of Nursing, please note the following:  The TEAS 6 exam was retired in June 2022, and ATI now administers the TEAS Version 7 exam. The UCF College of Nursing will accept TEAS 6 scores through July 1, 2023.

Background Check and Fingerprints:

• All students admitted to a UCF BSN program will need to complete a background check and fingerprints within seven days of the RSVP deadline. Note that Concurrent ASN to BSN students at Valencia College and Seminole State College will submit a background check to those colleges respectively, not UCF.
• Applicants located outside of the State of Florida are encouraged to do the fingerprints and background checks during the application window to avoid delays.

UCF Requirements:

Prior to starting a campus-based BSN program, you must either:

• Meet the three UCF requirements: General Education Program , Gordon Rule , and Foreign Language Admission .
• OR complete the AA degree from a Florida public institution ( *initial enrollment fall 2014 or later to meet the foreign language admission requirement ).
• OR complete a bachelor’s degree from any regionally accredited institution.

Physical Location Requirement:

Applicants must be physically located in a  Nurse Licensure Compact state for the duration of their education.

UCF College of Nursing faculty are authorized to teach in Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states. Due to nursing education restrictions imposed by non-NLC states, UCF is unable to offer courses, clinicals, or other educational services regardless of modality within non-NLC states. Should you be physically located within a non-NLC state for more than a vacation or brief visit, regardless of your legal state of residence or the type of license you have, you will be unable to apply or continue your nursing degree program at the UCF College of Nursing. This includes, but is not limited to, students accepting traveling nurse positions in a non-NLC state.

Applicants may contact the College of Nursing’s Assistant Dean of Students with any questions regarding non-NLC states.

Please note:  The last four BSN courses of the campus-based Concurrent ASN to BSN programs are taught online – consequently this program may not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. If you have questions, please contact UCF Global at global.ucf.edu or call 407-823-2337.

Below are the minimum requirements needed to complete an application for the online RN to BSN and online Florida College System Concurrent ASN to BSN programs at UCF.

RN to BSN 2.8 overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale as calculated by UCF .

Florida College System Concurrent ASN to BSN 3.0 overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale as calculated by UCF .

• Complete all but one of UCF’s nursing prerequisites (see above) by the application deadline. This means 7 of the 8 for RN to BSN applicants. The one remaining prerequisite must be completed before the program start date.

Florida College System Concurrent ASN to BSN

• Complete all 8 of UCF’s nursing prerequisites (see above) by the application deadline for Florida College System Concurrent ASN to BSN applicants.

Prior to starting an online BSN program, you must either:

• Meet the three UCF requirements: General Education Program , Gordon Rule , and Foreign Language Admission with no more than three courses outstanding in these areas prior to starting the BSN program, and these courses must be completed prior to taking 4000-level courses.

Applicants may contact the College of Nursing’s Assistant Dean of Students with any questions regarding non-NLC states. Although Colorado is a NLC state, the UCF College of Nursing cannot enroll students who will complete clinical practice hours there due to Colorado statute requirements for worker’s compensation insurance coverage.

Please note:  Online BSN programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. If you have questions, please contact UCF Global at global.ucf.edu or call 407-823-2337. 

Transfers from private or out-of-state institutions

For nursing prerequisites ( see above ),  find out what courses or credits will transfer here .

How do I know if my courses or credits will transfer?

Students can review the UCF Transfer Credit Equivalency Portal  to see what courses from other institutions have been evaluated by the university for equivalency.

After admission to the university, the Transfer Credit Evaluation , located in your myUCF portal, will list all courses received at the time of admission along with associated UCF equivalencies. If a course does not have a UCF equivalency, you will have the opportunity to upload a syllabus and have the course evaluated. You will have limited time to submit syllabi, if needed.

Many of the nursing prerequisites are not taught by the College of Nursing and will be evaluated by the colleges who offer the courses (see below for additional information).

• College of Medicine-Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences   ZOO3733C Human Anatomy, PCB3703C Human Physiology, MCB2004C Microbiology for Health Professionals, and MCB3020C General Microbiology.
• College of Sciences PSY2012 General Psychology, DEP2004 Developmental Psychology, STA2014 Principles of Statistics and STA2023 Statistical Methods I, and BSC and CHM courses.

For General Education Program (GEP), State Core, Gordon Rule, Civic Literacy, or Foreign Language courses, students must complete a  Transfer Credit Evaluation Request through the Registrar’s Office. GEP requirements must be completed prior to starting Traditional, Second Degree, or Concurrent BSN programs. For the RN to BSN program, you cannot be missing more than nine credit hours of combined GEP and/or foreign language courses prior to starting. Note that completing GEP course(s) at another school does not guarantee completion at UCF unless it was part of an AA degree earned from Florida public institution within the Florida College System or State University System.

SSC-UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN Program

• Check your myKnight audit to see how courses transferred. Newly admitted students for spring will have access to the audit by October and newly admitted students for summer or fall should have access to the audit by February of that same year.
• View your SSC unofficial transcript by logging in to your  MySeminoleState Select My Academics → Transcripts → View my unofficial transcript
• If courses did not transfer properly, please contact Seminole State College prior to the application deadline.
• If you are transferring credit from a private institution or any institution outside of the state of Florida, please follow the steps above.

Valencia-UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN Program

• View your unofficial transcript by logging in to your Valencia Atlas account . Select Courses → Registration → Transcripts, Grades & Holds → Academic Transcript → For Transcript Level → select Credit in the drop-down menu
• If you have course numbers that do not match the listed prerequisites, you may request a Health Sciences Advising Transfer Course Review form via email to request any possible course substitutions before the nursing application deadline.
• If you need help viewing your academic transcript, please visit the nearest Valencia Atlas Lab or call 407-582-5444.

* If you’re applying to UCF for the first time , please submit your admissions application 3 months in advance of the nursing application deadline.  If you’ve attended the university previously, please submit your readmission application two to three weeks prior to the nursing application deadline. When applying or reapplying, please ensure that you are applying for the semester in which the BSN program begins. If you are applying or reapplying to an earlier semester, you will be expected to enroll.

Traditional BSN

Apply just prior to junior year in college; MECP eligible

Second Degree BSN

Must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher; MECP eligible

Apply to Helene Fuld Health Trust Scholarship

Seminole State/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN

Apply to Seminole State at same time as UCF

Valencia/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN

Apply to Valencia College at same time as UCF

Apply after completing first semester of articulated AS in Nursing program

Licensed RNs simply submit one application directly to UCF. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. ** You must be admitted to UCF by the deadline. Otherwise, you will be unable to enroll in classes until the following semester.

Apply to a BSN Program

Begin this process only after meeting the application requirements listed above.

Step 1: Apply to UCF

New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least three months before the BSN application deadline. When applying, ensure application terms matches program start term. Select “NURSPEND” as your major. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions .

Former UCF students who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application . Please note that students with a previous bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply for the Traditional BSN program in Orlando, but can apply for the Traditional BSN programs in Cocoa and Daytona or the Second Degree BSN program in Orlando.

Select “NURS-PEND Nursing Pending” as your major.

Step 2: Apply to the College of Nursing & Choose a Campus

After you are accepted to UCF, you will receive a UCF student ID number. The student ID number is required to complete the online application to the College of Nursing .

When applying to the Traditional BSN program, you will need to choose your campus – Orlando, Cocoa or Daytona Beach. Please note that since this is a limited access program, applicants may choose multiple campus locations to expand their options for getting accepted.

Step 3: Send TEAS Scores

Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to UCF. If you have taken the TEAS at the UCF Testing Center , your scores will be sent automatically to UCF.

Acceptance:

Please note that admissions decisions will not be made until after the application cycle ends. This process may take up to 6-8 weeks. You can expect to receive an email confirming or denying your acceptance into the program.

Former UCF students who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application .

Step 2: Apply to the College of Nursing

Step 3: Send TEAS Scores & Bachelor’s Degree Transcript

A non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required for this program. Final transcripts must be submitted to UCF prior to program start date.

SSC/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN

Download SSC/UCF Admissions Checklist

Step 1: Apply to Seminole State College

Complete and submit a Seminole State Application for Admission at least 3 months before the Concurrent ASN to BSN application deadline. Select “Associate of Science in Nursing (RN-AS)” as your major. Send all official transcripts and test scores to Seminole State.

Step 2: Apply to UCF

New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least three months before the BSN application deadline. When applying, ensure application terms matches program start term. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions .

Step 3: Apply to the College of Nursing & Submit TEAS scores

Step 4: Apply to the Seminole State College ASN Program & Submit TEAS scores

Submit the two required items (nursing application and copy of unofficial TEAS score) in one email to [email protected] with your full name and SSC student ID # in the subject line by the application deadline.

Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to SSC. If you have taken the TEAS at the SSC Testing Center, your scores will be sent automatically to SSC.

VC/UCF Concurrent ASN to BSN

Download the VC/UCF Admissions Checklist

Step 1: Apply to Valencia College

Complete and submit a Valencia Application for Admission with the $35 Valencia application fee at least 3 months before the Concurrent ASN to BSN application deadline. Select “AS: Nursing RN (Articulated)” as your major. Send all official transcripts and test scores to Valencia.

Step 4: Apply to the Valencia College ASN Program & Submit TEAS scores

Complete the online Valencia ASN application on your Atlas Account by the application deadline.

Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to Valencia. If you have taken the TEAS at the Valencia Testing Center, your scores will be sent automatically to Valencia.

Acceptance: Please note that admissions decisions will not be made until after the application cycle ends. This process may take up to 4-6 weeks. You can expect to receive an email confirming or denying your acceptance into the program.

Florida College System Concurrent ASN to BSN Online

Step 1: Complete first semester of ASN

You will need to show proof of completion of the first semester in a Florida College System ASN program.

New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least 3 months before the BSN application deadline. When applying, ensure application terms matches program start term. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions .

Select “Nursing Online-For Students Enrolled in ASN” as your major.

Step 3: Apply to the College of Nursing

Please note that admissions decisions will not be made until after the application cycle ends. This process may take up to 4-6 weeks. You can expect to receive an email confirming or denying your acceptance into the program.

Online RN to BSN, Post-licensure

New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions by the deadline. Former UCF students who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application .

Select “Nursing For Current RNs – Online” as your major. 

You do not need to also submit a UCF College of Nursing application.

Step 2: Send copy of RN license

A copy of your current and valid RN license must be scanned and emailed to [email protected] by the application deadline.

RN to BSN applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis each semester. Admission decisions are typically made a few months prior to the semester start date. You can expect to receive an email confirming or denying your acceptance into the program.

Enter a Search Term

Nursing, BSN

• Program Overview
• Clinical Nurse Leader (4+1), BSN/MSN
• Scholarships

Admission to the USF School of Nursing and Health Professions is selective and based on an overall appraisal of your preparedness for college-level study. Evidence of academic preparation and achievement and the personal statement are given careful consideration.

How to Apply

Complete the application based on your type of entry and desired location.

• First-year students: If you have been admitted to the San Francisco campus, you must complete all required nursing courses at the San Francisco campus.
• San Francisco transfer students: If you have been admitted to the San Francisco campus, you must complete all required nursing courses at the San Francisco campus.
• Sacramento transfer students: If you have been admitted to Sacramento campus, you must complete all required nursing courses at the  Sacramento Campus.

For more information on the application process:

Visit Undergraduate Admissions

* Institutional aid for those who apply after the priority deadline will be on a funds available basis.

• All students will receive an update on their admission status in early April. We will continue to make offers to candidates until we have reached our capacity.
• Same dates apply for both the San Francisco and Sacramento programs.

Nursing Transfer Requirements

Application Materials

The Office of Undergraduate Admission has provided application instructions that list all required information and documentation. This information will be essential to submitting the most compelling application possible. Visit undergraduate admission and select the path based on your entry status for detailed application instructions.

Application Requirements

First year students in san francisco.

Applicants who have less than a “C” average in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Algebra II, Advanced Math, or any Honors or AP science courses will not be admitted to the program.

Background Check and Drug Screening

All admitted students must undergo a background check and ten-panel drug screening. These requirements must be completed before students can enroll in clinical coursework. The hospital or agency participating in clinical coursework will be notified of the results of both screenings. They reserve the right to deny a student from entering their facility or providing patient care.

The School of Nursing and Health Professions uses CastleBranch to complete background checks and drug screening. The ten-panel drug screening will detect the following substances:

• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Methaqualone
• Propoxyphene
• THC (Marijuana)

Ask a Nurse: My Options If I Get Rejected From Nursing School?

In our Ask a Nurse series, experienced nurses provide an insider look at the nursing profession by answering your questions about nursing careers, degrees, and resources.

Question: I got rejected from nursing school and feel so defeated. How do I move forward? How do I pick myself back up and make myself a better applicant?

I understand exactly how you feel! You should know that many applicants are not accepted into nursing programs. Despite a nursing shortage and the need for more nurses, many students are experiencing nursing school rejection.

There are fewer spots for students in nursing programs, so applicants are accepted less often. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 80,407 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing schools in 2019 alone.

Take time to get out all your negative emotions with friends and family so you have the energy and focus on taking positive steps forward. Remember, failing to get into the nursing program you wanted isn’t final, and it isn’t fatal.

And there are steps you can take to improve your application next time!

Retake Classes With Poor Grades

If you have science or math classes where you got a C or D, consider retaking the class. Check with the nursing schools where you’re applying first to be sure that they’ll consider the better grade the second time you take the class.

One of the factors schools consider is your GPA. You can improve your overall GPA and your science and math GPA by retaking classes where the grade was lower than a B.

Get Experience

One sure way to make your application more competitive is to gain experience in healthcare. Experience demonstrates the student is aware of the challenges and rewards in the field and should not be caught off balance by the work.

Consider a CNA Program

An excellent way to get experience is to complete a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program. This can give you more experience in patient care and confidence when you start your nursing program. After getting rejected, many nurses take a year off to become a CNA and gain experience before reapplying.

You can complete a CNA program in approximately 15 weeks or less, with classroom hours and clinical training included. This gives you a median annual earning potential of $30,830, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . It also gives you the ability to gain experience in various settings as you wait to gain admittance into a nursing program.

Complete Your Prerequisite Classes

You may not have been accepted into a nursing program if you haven’t finished your prerequisite classes for nursing school . Most programs have general prerequisite classes, but some programs may have specific classes they expect students to complete before acceptance.

Schools usually look for a solid background in biology, physiology, and microbiology. Anatomy, math, statistics, chemistry, and sociology are also typically required. The program you apply to may also have requirements for nutrition and English, or they might require more credits in a specific subject.

Ask the School What They Value in Their Students

Generally speaking, schools value well-rounded students who have volunteer experience , good test scores, and meet the minimum GPA standards. It is in your best interest to speak with the admissions counselor to determine how highly each of the admission requirements is ranked.

For example, while one program may weigh the GPA heavily in admission criteria, another may prefer students with experience in healthcare or give extra points to letters of reference. You can’t meet the criteria for admission until you know what it is.

Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills

Most schools want you to have a good grade on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). TEAS assesses your math, science, reading, English, and language skills. Nursing programs use this to estimate how well you’ll do in the nursing program.

You can choose to take the exam in person or remotely at an institution where the test is proctored. Each section of the test is timed. Students should prepare for at least six weeks to take the exam, which has 170 questions in multiple-choice format.

Apply to Several Programs

You may have your heart set on a specific nursing program, but you increase your chance of success by applying to several nursing schools and different programs. For example, don’t just apply to bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs. Include associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs as well. This strategy increases the potential you’ll be admitted to a program where you can graduate and be licensed as a registered nurse (RN).

If you are admitted to an ADN program, you can work and attend an RN-to-BSN or RN to master’s bridge program, depending on your career goals.

Pay close attention to the application process. Nothing messes up your chances for admission faster than not thoroughly completing the application. For example, if the school requires three letters of reference, send the correct number of letters.

Some programs are also interviewing applicants before offering a place in the program. Prepare well for the interview since it will likely make a difference in their decision.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Be Open to Relocation

As you are considering nursing school programs, look outside your geographical area. Consider applying for a spot in a program where there isn’t as much competition. For example, if you live in New York City, think about applying to schools in the surrounding states.

Although you’ll be charged out-of-state tuition, you may be able to make up the extra charges in scholarship awards and grants for nurses .

Do Not Give Up

At first, a nursing school rejection can make you feel defeated and crushed, but there is hope. The additional experience and education you can gain before the next round of applications can boost your chances for admission. It also gives you greater confidence and awareness.

After being rejected from a nursing program, some students have found that they were more motivated to achieve their goals and worked harder once admitted.

Without a doubt, getting a rejection letter is crushing. All your hopes and dreams for the coming months are suddenly put on hold, and you’re facing an uncertain future. But, you can try again.

The healthcare field desperately needs new nurses who are excited to participate in patient care and nursing leadership. It may take a few more months than you had planned to achieve your goal, but it is achievable when you apply yourself to becoming the best applicant possible.

In Summary:

• The American Academy of Colleges of Nurses found 80,407 qualified nursing applicants were denied admission in 2019 because nursing schools didn’t have adequate numbers of teaching staff.
• You can raise your chances of admission by taking steps to improve your application.
• Gain experience through a CNA program and work before the next application process.
• Complete all the prerequisite classes for the program and raise your GPA by retaking classes you got below a B.
• Prepare for and take the TEAS.
• Apply to several programs in the area and the surrounding states to raise your chance of admission. Consider applying to both ADN and BSN programs.

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In a traditional 4-year college experience, students complete the prerequisites as well as the University's general education requirements during their freshman and sophomore years. During these first two years, a student can declare a Pre-Nursing major to receive extra support from the College of Nursing in the form of academic advising and other student support services. The Pre-Nursing major–which is encouraged but not required of future BSN program applicants–includes all the coursework required to meet the prerequisites for both of the program pathways.

Transfer students and current UArizona students who have completed the prerequisite coursework are encouraged to apply.

Transfer students and current UA students who have completed the prerequisite coursework are also encouraged to apply. Transfer and current UA students are not required to declare a Pre-Nursing major and often apply directly to the program.

BSN Program Pathways

The BSN Conventional Pathway takes place in the College of Nursing building located on the University of Arizona Health Sciences Campus, in the heart of Tucson, Arizona. Attend in person classes, fall, and spring semesters, with summers off, and graduate in 24 months.

The BSN Integrative Health Pathway takes place on our UArizona College of Nursing, Distance Campus, in beautiful downtown Gilbert, Arizona. Attend classes year-round to graduate in 15-16 months. This hybrid program offers a combination of online and in person learning.

Whether you choose our accelerated, hybrid BSN-IH pathway in Gilbert or our conventional, 24-month BSN pathway in Tucson, you will benefit from supportive faculty and a blend of advanced technology, practical simulations , and exceptional clinical experiences designed to hone your skills for real-world success.

Freshmen can declare a Pre-Nursing major (see below) to receive additional support while they prepare to apply to either the BSN or BSN-IH professional programs. As a Pre-Nursing major, students complete the prerequisite coursework of the BSN program as well as the general education and foundation requirements of the University.

Change of Major

Current UA students who are interested in nursing can apply to the BSN professional program provided that they meet the prerequisites of the program. If admitted, the student changes their major to Nursing and completes the program over the course of two years.

Transfer students are generally assumed to have completed most or all of prerequisite coursework of the BSN program as well as the University's general education and foundation requirements. With these criteria met, transfer students can apply directly to either the BSN or BSN-IH professional programs.

The Pre-Nursing Major

The pre-professional nursing major is designed for students who intend to apply for admission to our  Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)  program. Pre-nursing majors will receive extra support from the University of Arizona College of Nursing while they are enrolled in preparatory coursework. Students typically apply for admission to our upper-division BSN program at the end of their second year. While eligible students are encouraged to declare the pre-nursing major, any student who meets the admission requirements is eligible to apply to the BSN program.

The pre-nursing major is comprised of University of Arizona general education courses and prerequisite courses that will prepare students for upper-division nursing curriculum. In addition to courses, pre-nursing students will have access to a variety of resources as they prepare to apply to the BSN program.

Incoming first-year students  are admitted to the pre-nursing major (via the  UA Undergraduate Admissions Application ) based on certain criteria. Due to COVID-19 related closures, the College of Nursing will suspend the use of test scores (ACT/SAT) for admissions considerations.  

For the entering class of Fall 2024, the sole admissions criteria will be a 3.5 unweighted high school cumulative GPA.

Transfer students  are admitted to the major if they have an earned a 3.4 cumulative GPA on all transfer coursework. This would primarily benefit students who still have general education and prerequisite coursework to complete at the UA. It is not necessary to declare the pre-nursing major if a student is ready to apply for admission to the BSN program.

All students interested in the pre-nursing major must select a second choice major upon application to the UA. Incoming first-year students and transfer students who do not meet the eligibility requirements are placed into their  second choice major . Eligibility is determined based on the Undergraduate Admissions Application and the criteria stated above.  Students may still work towards admission to the BSN program while in another major at the UA.

Current UA students  with a minimum 3.4 GPA based on 12 or more units taken at the UA.

Current UA students interested in declaring the pre-nursing major must attend an information session, after which, they will be reviewed for eligibility for the major by an advisor. The schedule for information sessions is available  here .

BSN Program Prerequisites

Students applying for professional admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program must first have taken a number of Prerequisite Courses and have met General Education and University Foundation Requirements. All requirements will be achieved by students who complete our Pre-Professional Nursing Program. Prerequisites are the same for both BSN pathways: Conventional and Integrative Health Accelerated .

• First Year Composition Sequence
• One year General Chemistry (2 lectures and 1 lab) OR   one semester Allied Health Chemistry (1 lecture and 1 lab; please contact an advisor regarding this option)
• One year Human Anatomy & Physiology (2 semesters including lectures and laboratories)
• One semester Introductory Biology (lecture only)
• One semester Microbiology (lecture only)
• One semester Statistics
• One semester Lifespan Development
• One semester Nutrition

All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better. The minimum prerequisite GPA (calculated based on this list) for admission consideration is a 3.0.  Descriptions of these courses can be found in the  UA Academic Catalog .

In-State Coursework from Public Institutions For courses taken at a public institution in Arizona (state university or community college), students may download the  Arizona Course Equivalency Chart , which includes the exact courses that are acceptable for prerequisite transferability.

Out-of-State Coursework and In-State Private Institutions Pre-established equivalencies can be searched and viewed on the University of Arizona's  Transfer Credit Guide .  If a course does not appear in this guide students will need to submit a course equivalency request to the  Office of Transfer Credit & Articulation . 

• Building Connections (3 courses at 3 credits each)
• Exploring Perspectives Artist (1 course at 3 credits each)
• Exploring Perspectives Humanist (1 course at 3 credits)

The University of Arizona has additional degree requirements for General Education for Bachelor of Science candidates. Please refer to the  UA Academic Catalog  for specific details.

• English Composition (1-2 semesters, depending on placement)
• Math – College Algebra or higher math course
• The completion of two semesters of the same second language OR
• A proctored proficiency exam, testing at second-semester level   

Student Responsibility The College of Nursing expects all students to act responsibly in their academic performance. As a competitive program, the college holds its students to the highest academic standards. Students are responsible for the academic information that is shared with them during Orientation, that is sent out via email, that is listed on this website, and that is shared with them through other outlets. Students are also expected to act with academic integrity in the classroom and beyond.

Registration Dates and Deadlines The College of Nursing adheres to the registration dates and deadlines as determined by the  Registrar's Office  each semester. Students are expected to be aware of their class schedules and the posted dates and deadlines. Effective Fall 2014, students are able to withdraw from courses through the tenth week of the semester. Beyond this posted deadline, the College of Nursing does not support late registration requests, except in the most extreme situations. Please contact your Academic Advisor for more information.

Late Withdrawal Requests There is no formal petition process for late change or late withdrawal requests. If you feel that you have extenuating circumstances, please speak with your Academic Advisor. Academic advising services are offered in College of Nursing room 112.

Academic Probation and Disqualification Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be in Academic Good Standing at the University. Students who fall below 2.0 will be on Academic Probation, and must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0 by the end of the very next semester in order to continue as a student in the College of Nursing. Students who do not achieve a 2.0 Cumulative GPA by the end of the very next semester will be removed from the College of Nursing and may also face University Academic Disqualification.

Students on Academic Probation are expected to participate in the  UA Wildcat Track  program. Students who do not participate in the Wildcat Track program as part of their academic probation may not be eligible to continue in the pre-nursing major.

Petitions The College of Nursing supports and adheres to the University policies as set forth in the Academic Catalog. If a student believes that they deserve redress or exception to a university policy, they can explore a University General Petition. To discuss the General Petition requirements and initiate the process, students should contact their College of Nursing academic advisors.

The College of Nursing enforces the academic policies described in the  Academic Catalog . Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information about various policies.

It is your responsibility to verify all required documentation is received by the appropriate deadlines. Please contact the Office of Student & Academic Affairs  in the College of Nursing to update any changes in your information. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.

Prerequisite Grade Point Average (GPA) for Nursing

• A combined minimum GPA of 3.0 is required
• A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in all prerequisites
• Two courses may be in-progress at the time of application

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all graded postsecondary coursework

Entrance Exam

Completion of EITHER of the following entrance exams:

• Minimum 75% cumulative score for the HESI A2 Exam : Biology, Math, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension OR
• Minimum 75% cumulative score for the ATI TEAS Exam : Science, Math, Reading, English, and Language Use

Admission to the University of Arizona – Undergraduate Admissions

• As an applicant, you do not need to be admitted to the university as an undergraduate degree-seeking student prior to applying to the BSN program.  However, applicants selected for admission (if not currently a university student) will need to complete the  Undergraduate Admission  application prior to enrolling in the Nursing program.
• Students are recommended to apply as a Pre-Professional Nursing student.

Nursing Competitive Admission Process

• Applications for each cycle open approximately two months before the deadline.  Students must apply through  NursingCAS . 

Your highest score earned for the combined four sections taken in a single attempt will be utilized. The test must be taken by the date of application and any scores are valid for one year. For more information, see the hyperlinks above under "Evaluation of Application"

GPA Calculations

All attempts at courses you take are calculated into cumulative GPA calculations unless they are removed through an official grade replacement process. For Prerequisite GPA calculation, we utilize the highest grade earned. All courses must be from regionally accredited institutions of higher education.

In-Progress Coursework

You are allowed two prerequisite courses to be in-progress at the time of the application deadline. All courses in-progress at the time of application must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better and students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in both cumulative and prerequisite areas. Courses must be complete and official transcripts must be available showing course completion by June 1 (for fall start), January 1 (for spring start), April 15 (for summer start) if offered admission. If you are repeating a course at the time of application, you cannot report it as in-progress; you must use the previously earned grade until a new grade is earned.

Holistic Experiences (optional)

• Licensed healthcare experience (CNA, EMT, etc.)
• Family caregiver
• Direct patient care
• Peace Corps
• Graduate with honors (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, etc.)
• Honors College student
• Health related project or internship
• Hospital/Clinic Volunteer
• Residence Life
• Student Government
• Greek Organizations

Letters of recommendation or personal statements are not necessary for holistic admission but random audits will be performed on the experiences reported. The College of Nursing will collect the information from transcripts, employers, and short statements included in the application.

For more information on experiences, and guide on required information please download the Healthcare/Volunteer Experience Tracking Form

Transfer Courses and Evaluations When transferring from another institution, you must have semester equivalent coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.  In addition, there are a few parameters to consider regarding transfer credit evaluations:

• To view applicable transfer courses, please visit the University of Arizona's  Transfer Credit Guide .  If a course does not appear in this guide, students will need to submit a  course equivalency request  to the Office of Transfer Credit & Articulation.

In addition, there are a few parameters to consider regarding transfer credit evaluations:

• Courses more than 10 years old are difficult to evaluate – please reach out to a nursing advisor about the course(s) specifically to examine eligibility for application use.
• A full syllabus, dated within 2-3 years of when you took the course, is necessary for evaluation. International syllabi must also be translated.
• Both the College of Nursing and the larger UA Articulation office cannot waive or override the need for a course equivalency evaluation.
• Please review the nursing prerequisite page for your program to review additional requirements for prerequisite coursework.

Quarter System Courses If you attended an institution on the quarter system, you will need to multiply the quarter hours by .667 to convert to semester hours.

• 5 Quarter Hours = 3.33 Semester Hours – acceptable for any 4 Semester Hour course
• 4 Quarter Hours = 2.66 Semester Hours – acceptable for any 3 Semester Hour course

If you have attend, but not graduated, from another nursing professional program a letter from the Nursing program administration AND a personal statement must be included in the application via NursingCAS. This includes attendance at any associates, nursing assistant, licensed profession nursing, bachelor’s or master’s pre-licensure programs.

Prior Nursing Program letter must include all the following information: institution, program name/type, dates of attendance, reason for non-completion and a statement indicating if there were any behavioral or clinical safe practice concerns.

Personal statement must include: applicant name, email address, phone number, description of the reason(s) the applicant was unable to complete the prior nursing program (If the reason involves the student's mental and/or physical illness, injury, or disability, provide a statement without describing the condition itself), a description of the steps the applicant has taken to ensure they better prepared now to enter a nursing program

• International Admission When applying to the university as an international student, you will need to review the admission requirements and obtain admission through  International Admissions .   
• International Coursework Evaluation Coursework taken outside the United States must be evaluated and translated by a NACES member. Please see the  International Admissions page  for additional details. As the course evaluation process can take additional time, we recommend you begin the evaluation process and secure international transcripts as early as possible.
• Degree Requirements You are strongly recommended to have all University Foundation and General Education requirements completed before starting the professional program to ensure timely completion of the program.
• Clinical Compliance Students admitted to the College of Nursing BSN pathways (Conventional or Integrative Health) will be required to complete and maintain Clinical Compliance requirements throughout the program.

Applicants must apply to the College of Nursing via NursingCAS . You do not need to be admitted to the University of Arizona as an undergraduate degree-seeking student to apply. However, if you are selected for admission, you will need to apply to the University to enroll in the program (see step 3).

Read through all prerequisites .

Apply through NursingCAS , the centralized application service for nursing programs.

View our application checklist  to make sure you are completing all necessary steps before, during, and after applying. 

Watch our NursingCAS video tutorial series for additional help when using NursingCAS .

Apply to the College of Nursing

As an applicant, you do not need to be admitted to the university as an undergraduate degree-seeking student prior to applying to the BSN program. However, applicants selected for admission (if not currently a university student) will need to complete the Undergraduate Admissions application prior to enrolling in the Nursing program. Students are recommended to apply as a Pre-Professional Nursing student.

Apply to Undergraduate Admissions

Applications Open

Applications are open for approximately two months.

• Spring 2025: June 15, 2024
• Summer 2025: August 16, 2024
• Fall 2025: February 1, 2025

Application Deadlines

All applications close at 11:59pm (EST). Applications will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Apply as soon as possible for consideration.

• (prerequisite deadline January 2, 2025)
• Priority Deadline: October 31, 2024
• Final Deadline: March 14, 2025
• (prerequisite deadline May 9, 2025)
• Priority Deadline: April 3, 2025
• (prerequisite deadline August 8, 2025)

Notification of Admission

• Notification of full Admissions is approximately 6-8 weeks after application deadline. 

Contact Information

Office of Student & Academic Affairs Location: College of Nursing, Room 112 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-6158 Email: [email protected]

Interested in learning more about the BSN program?

Information Sessions and Application Workshops are available and hosted by advisors in the College of Nursing. Students must attend a workshop before requesting an advising appointment.

Application Information

Qualifications.

Eligible applicants are those who:

• Hold a degree of Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) from a nationally accredited nursing program and regionally accredited institution.
• A minimum overall nursing GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Hold an active, unrestricted RN license in the state where the student plans to complete clinical hours.
• Transfer students must provide a letter of good standing from the Nursing program in which currently enrolled or left incomplete.

In addition, applicants:

• Advanced physiology/pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the lifespan; lifespan is defined as prenatal through old age and death.
• Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts and approaches.
• Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents.
• For more information, please review the APRN Core Courses . 
• for the NEL Certificate Program : must have two years of practice experience at the RN level or higher.

To be considered, applicants will be required to meet all WVU admission requirements in addition to program-specific admission criteria.

Students must satisfactorily complete background checks and drug screens upon admission.

New program applicants with a positive drug screen will be ineligible for admission to the program and will forfeit their admission “seat.” Please see the WVU SON Drug and Alcohol Screening Policy and the Health Information and Credential Documentation Policy.

Note :  Any student who has been dismissed from the West Virginia University School of Nursing or any other nursing program may be considered for readmission if the dismissal was academic and was followed by successful completion of an additional degree. Any student who has withdrawn from the WVU School of Nursing program may be considered for readmission. Students may apply for readmission in accordance with the following guidelines and criteria but must follow the standard admission procedures. Students must meet all original admission requirements.

Apply To WVU

Depending on prerequisites completed, entry term into the program will vary from student to student. Students will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis until July 1. Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions as they are reviewed.

• Click on the Apply Now button above.
• Please select the following options on the New Application screen:
• Type of Student: Certificate
• Which Program: Select your Post-MSN Program
• You will be asked to select a Progression Plan on the Nursing Application. The Post Graduate certificate is only offered as a full-time program.
• On the Supplemental Materials screen, you will upload the following:
• Current curriculum vita or resume

Request Official Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities Attended

• It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as  eScrip-Safe ,  National Student Clearinghouse , or  Parchment to  [email protected] .
• Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent directly to: WVU Graduate Admissions, P.O. Box 6510, Morgantown, WV 26506-6510. 
• Current or former WVU students do not need to send transcripts from the Morgantown, Beckley, or Keyser campuses.
• Applicants who completed prior education outside of the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by  World Education Services (WES) .  Please request a “course-by-course” International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP).

Note: Certificate seeking students, with approval from the certificate program, may transfer up to 6 of the required credits for a graduate certificate from a different institution or applied from another previous or concurrent WVU degree or certificate. Individual course credits may be applied to no more than two degrees, majors, or certificates. Courses applied to a certificate must have been completed no more than seven years prior to certificate conferral.

Candidates for admission are evaluated on the entire admission packet. The WVU School of Nursing accepts new Post-MSN Certificate students on a rolling admission basis and will review all qualified applications based on admission criteria. Acceptance is dependent upon space available in the program with the most qualified applicants being accepted at the time of review. Decisions will be emailed to students. Accepted students will receive information regarding orientation and course registration.

Enrollment in nursing courses is based upon readiness, availability of space and other essential resources.

Clinical rotations with approved preceptors in the final year of your program must be arranged with course faculty. Due to potential preceptor limitations, students may have to travel out of their local areas to their clinical sites and are required to provide their own reliable transportation. 

Gap Analyses

Some students applying to certificate programs may have accrued direct patient care hours prior to admission. Upon request, the student’s program of study will be personalized via gap analyses to determine the number of clinical practicum hours required of each student. Any hours accrued prior to admission must have been academically supervised and completed in a setting and population appropriate to the certificate program in which the student is enrolled. Students must obtain a completed Verification of Qualifying MSN Clinical Hours and Gap Analysis form from the director of their previous program within the first semester of enrollment.

If an application for admission into a graduate program is denied, the applicant may request the reasons for refusal of admission by writing to the specific graduate program coordinator (see  Academics  page). Note that meeting the minimum requirements for admission into a graduate program does not ensure admission. An applicant may appeal to the graduate program coordinator for reconsideration if the applicant can document either factual errors in processing the application or that the decision was arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory in nature. Appeals must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the admission denial. If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily within 30 calendar days of the receipt of the appeal by the graduate program coordinator, the applicant may appeal to the dean of the college or school. The decision of the dean, as the provost’s designee, shall be rendered within 20 calendar days of the receipt of the appeal and is final. Please see Graduate Admission Denial .

Contact info for director of Admissions and Enrollment:

• View Caitlin Delligatti’s Profile
• Send Caitlin Delligatti an Email

Orientation

Students are required to attend an online orientation session prior to the start of the semester.

Vocational Nursing Admission Information

Looking to start a career in nursing? San Jacinto College’s three-term vocational nursing program can help get you there. Learn about admission requirements and steps to apply. Submit your application today!

VN Program Quick Guide

The VN program accepts applications twice per year. The Fall 2024 application period is open from February 1 until May 5, 2024 .  The online application will close at 3 p.m. on the closing date. You can find all the information you need right here to get you started quickly and easily. 

Steps to Apply

Admissions Resources

• Program Information Packet 
• San Jac Center for Advising, Career, & Transfer
• American Heart Association  
• TEAS Practice Tests

Program Requirements

To be accepted into the VN program, you must meet the general admissions requirements for San Jac as well as the ones specific to our program. Under these, you must:

• Be a high school graduate or have passed the GED
• Passed the placement test with acceptable scores
• Completed the needed college preparatory courses
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.25 on college-level coursework
• Pass a physical exam

Admissions Best Practices

• If you have questions about the program requirements, prerequisites, transcripts, or application, reach out to us.
• An information session is not mandatory, but we highly recommend attending one. This will give you more information about the program and the admissions process.
• You must complete the online application in one sitting. Have your documents ready in PDF form .
• You may have two prerequisite courses “in progress” when you apply. However, any prerequisites not completed before applying will not be used in the scoring rubric. 

Apply to San Jac

If you’re not a current San Jac student, you need to first apply to the College. You can apply online through the ApplyTexas website. Or visit our admissions page for more information.

Request a Transcript Evaluation

We automatically evaluate transcripts, but there are a few exceptions. This includes  transcripts from schools outside of the US and military transcripts. In addition, if we received your transcript prior to 2019, then you’ll need to request a transcript evaluation. Simply call our main number at 281-998-6150, ask for a transcript evaluation, and describe your type of transcript.

Attend the San Jac New Student Orientation

If you’re a first time college student, this orientation is required. You need to complete this orientation before you can apply to the Vocational Nursing program.

Contact an Advisor in the Admissions Office 

Your advisor will let you know if there are any entrance exams you need to take. If you’ve already taken your entrance exams, your advisor can help evaluate your scores.

Create a CastleBranch Profile

We use CastleBranch for document tracking. When applying to the program, you’ll use CastleBranch to provide a background check. Once you are admitted to the program, you will use CastleBranch to provide additional requirements. CastleBranch Package Code: SV22 for South Campus only.

North Campus: Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam

Testing at North Campus In-Person Testing: Cost: $71 + tax

South Campus: Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exam

The TEAS Exam evaluates basic academic knowledge in Reading, Mathematics, Science, English, and Language Usage. Scores may not be older than 2 years from the deadline date. You may take the four-hour exam in-person at San Jac South or take a remote exam from home. Sign Up for In-Person Testing Cost: $71 + tax April 19 at 1:30 p.m. May 3 at 9 a.m.

Sign Up for Remote Testing Cost: $120 + tax

Attend an Information Session

Attending an information session isn’t mandatory for admission, but they’re very helpful. You can find out more about the program and get answers to questions about the application process.

Apply to the VN Program

Fall 2024 Application Period:

February 1, 2024 - May 5, 2024 @ 3 p.m. Once you have completed the rest of the steps, you’re ready to apply to the program! Upload your documents and complete the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Use your student login to access the application. Vocational Nursing Application - North Campus   Vocational Nursing Application - South Campus

information sessions

Virtual Sessions

If you plan to attend a virtual zoom information session, you must register for the session above to reserve your place.

Face-to-Face Sessions

Required Documentation

You’ll need to include your San Jac GPS (Graduation Plan Strategy)  report when you apply. Access your GPS Report through My San Jac . To get your GPS Report:

• Log into the My San Jac Student Portal .
• Click on “My San Jac GPS” under “Academic Support” tools.
• Click on Degree Evaluation.
• Click on What If located under the first tab: Worksheets.
• Select Associates of Applied Science from the Degree drop-down. 
• Select a desired year from the Catalog Year drop-down. 
• Select Vocational Nursing from the Major drop-down.
• Click the Process What-If button near the top of the screen. This process may take a few minutes to generate the request. 
• Click Print on the top right corner. Keep a copy and submit one copy in the application packet.

Please remember that all transcripts must:

• Have been printed within 60 days of applying
• Be submitted in PDF format
• Have your name visible
• Show a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 

Get Your GPS Report

I’m Accepted! Now What?

Requirements upon acceptance.

New student orientation for the VN program is mandatory . Orientation details will be included in your acceptance letter.

• Learn about the program expectations and how to prepare for the course.
• Be able to ask questions of administration, faculty, and staff.
• Receive course materials with information on registration, books, supplies, and more.

We use CastleBranch to document and track immunization records, drug screenings, and more. It is also a good idea to obtain hard copies of your immunizations for your own records. Once you are accepted, please upload documentation for the following immunizations:

• Tdap (within the last 10 years) 
• TB (PPD) skin test, Chest X-ray, or Quantiferon test (within the past year)
• Influenza (flu shot, must be current and updated throughout the program)
• Titer showing proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR)
• Titer showing proof of immunity to Hepatitis B
• Titer showing negative screening for Hepatitis C
• Titer showing proof of immunity to Varicella (chicken pox)

Additional Vaccine Requirements As part of the VN program, you will be studying in facilities outside of the College. During these times, you will be required to comply with the immunization policies of each facility to be able to participate. This includes COVID-19 vaccinations. These requirements are implemented by the outside facilities and are not mandated by San Jac. Failure to meet the immunization requirements may limit your ability to complete the program. It may also delay your graduation date. San Jac does not process exemptions. You must address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.

Please upload to CastleBranch proof of Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR, and AED Training for Health Care Professionals Certificate card from the American Heart Association. Online courses are not accepted.

You will need to submit your original Blue Card or Outcome Letter to the Vocational Nursing Office at orientation. You will receive these after your background check.

We also use CastleBranch for our background checks and drug screenings. You must have a clear criminal background to be eligible for a nursing license. If you have an issue in attaining your license, you can file a Declaratory Order . Declatory orders allow the Board of Nursing to make a decision on your eligibility before you enter a nursing program. Please note:

• You can file a Declaratory Order if you answer yes to questions 3-5 on the licensure eligibility requirements . 
• Wait to file a Declaratory Order until you receive a letter from the Board of Nursing telling you to do so . If you foresee incidents on your criminal background check, you should start gathering information, such as statements and court documents. But wait to submit anything until the Board of Nursing requests a Declaratory Order.
• At the end of San Jac’s application period, our nursing office will email qualified applicants with directions for completing the background check. If the Board of Nursing has approved your eligibility, you may go ahead and enroll in the program. You will need to provide proof of clearance by either the “Blue Card” or the “Outcome Letter” from the Board of Nursing.

The drug screen, Blue Card, and physical exam are required after you are accepted into the program. You will receive information about these screenings once you’ve been accepted. You may schedule the exam with a private physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Just make sure you use the forms the Vocational Nursing program provides. 

• Should show that you are physically and emotionally fit to perform all the requirements of direct patient care 
• Should show you are free from communicable diseases
• Are subject to review by the department, medical opinion, or policy of hospitals and agencies that serve as extended campus sites for clinicals.

You must have health insurance when you are accepted into the program, and maintain your insurance without lapses throughout the program. The Gold Card does not count as health insurance.

San Jac doesn’t participate in a specific College-sponsored health insurance plan. You may obtain insurance through private companies. Compare companies and study the terms of their policies before buying coverage. We are offering the following providers as a resource only, not as an endorsement:

• EJ Smith  
• United Healthcare 
• Insurance for College Students (IFCS)

South Campus Vocational Nursing

Call: 281-998-6350 ext. 3592 Email: [email protected]   

North Campus Vocational Nursing

Your Launchpad to success

Nursing School Acceptance Letter (4 Samples)

Nursing acceptance letter format

• Nursing acceptance letter sample
• Sample letter of acceptance of admission offer
• Nursing letter of intent example
• Application letter for nursing school.

1. Nursing acceptance letter sample

Dear Sumit, It brings me great pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into ABC nursing programme, which will begin in January 2022.  To make their choice, the nursing admittance committee at the college looked at your academic record, community service accomplishments, and professional reference recommendations. Following my evaluation of your application, I am convinced that they have taken the right decision. Classes will commence on January 6, 2022, and the semester will conclude on May 12, 2012. You must meet with your adviser, Mrs. Cathleen Dewberry, during the first week of December 2021 to secure your enrollment.  You will be able to enrol in classes and establish a strategy for completing your degree based on your unique requirements during this period. Mrs. Dewberry can be reached at 70037420  during regular business hours. You will also be required to attend a brief orientation session at our admissions hall on January 2, 2021. For your convenience, two sessions will be offered on that day. The first will begin at 2:00 p.m., while the second will begin at 6:00 p.m. Each one will last around an hour. Please call me at 90007470 no later than November 1, 2021 to let me know you'll be starting school in January and which orientation session you'd like to attend. Your confirmation is required since there is a long waiting list for students to attend our programme, and if you reject, I will have to give this offer to one of those people. I hope to get the opportunity to chat with you soon. Sincerely Name & Signature.

You'll need:-

• Database Administrator Cover Letter
• Unemployment Appeal Letter Example 

2. Sample letter of acceptance of admission offer

Dear (Name), I'm writing to accept your offer to enrol in your college's Registered Nurse Assistant certificate programme. With much anticipation and enthusiasm, I am looking forward to starting my studies at the Kintampo Nursing and Midwifery Training College. Throughout the admissions process, I much appreciated your time and care. Please find attached to this letter all of the relevant documents you requested, including the WAEC Certificate and Biometric Birth Certificate. If you require any extra information or documents, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please contact me by phone or email if you have any questions. I appreciate your time once again, and I am looking forward to starting my studies at your Nursing and Midwifery Training College in the autumn. Sincerely, Name & designation.

3. Nursing letter of intent example

[Senders Name] [Address line] [State, ZIP Code] [Letter Date] [Recipients Name] [Address line] [State, ZIP Code] Dear Mr Amit,   I'm writing to apply to the esteemed nursing programme at the University of Healthcare. As a future healthcare worker, I am highly interested in your nursing programme because your purpose of providing students with the knowledge they need to give the finest patient care possible is very important to me.  Your research projects, which are connected with my own educational ambitions, also impress me. I am convinced that my enthusiasm for nursing, as well as my prior achievements and ambitions as a student and nurse, will help me succeed in your nursing programme. First, I've always had a fascination with the medical field, having grown up with several relatives who worked as nurses. Seeing my mother, sister, and uncle work relentlessly to save lives as nurses has always inspired me, and I am excited to follow in their footsteps in my own career. Because of my significant interest in nursing, I will be a diligent and determined student in your programme. My prior achievements also demonstrate that I am qualified to enrol in your nursing school.  I got an award for volunteering the most hours as a member of my institution's healthcare professions student group, and I obtained a 4.0 in my general education classes at the community college I now attend. Because I am used to academic rigour and will devote my time to improving the lives of others, these experiences will help me excel in nursing school. Finally, while I pursue my nursing ambitions, I will leverage my enthusiasm for nursing and past successes to benefit patients. I hope to maintain my 4.0 grade point average and graduate with honours while in nursing school.  After graduation, I intend to work in the paediatric division of a big local hospital, where I will assist in the care of our community's youngsters. Because of these factors, I feel your nursing school will be an excellent fit for my future studies as a student nurse. I am committed to succeeding in your programme, and I am appreciative for the opportunity provided by your institution. Thank you for your time, and I eagerly await your response. Sincerely,

4. Application letter for nursing school

[Senders Name] [Address line] [State, ZIP Code] [Letter Date] [Recipients Name] [Address line] [State, ZIP Code] Dear Anita, I'm writing to express my interest in attending your distinguished nursing school. My talents, enthusiasm, and interest in the profession of nursing, I feel, will be an asset to your prestigious institution. Please find a list of my qualifications attached for your review. This next school year, I am excited to be a member of your school. Sincerely, [Senders Name]

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Bsn program, program overview, nursing and health, prerequisites, admission requirements, tuition costs.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed to prepare a competent, self-directed, general practitioner of nursing who can assume increasing responsibility and leadership in the delivery of nursing care. For individuals seeking to become a registered nurse, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing prelicensure program provides the broad educational preparation necessary to make an efficient transition into the complex world of health care. In consideration of the preparation of a general practitioner, all individuals who apply for admission and are enrolled in the undergraduate program must be able to perform the essential functions required of a registered nurse. 

To become a RN, students must

• graduate from an accredited nursing program and
• pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses ( NCLEX-RN ).

Acceptance to the upper division nursing program is highly competitive. 

Patient care

• Learning experiences are provided at a variety of institutions and agencies: Acute care hospitals as well as community agencies including public schools, home health agencies, nursing homes and day care centers provide a broad variety of clinical nursing practice experiences.
• The Smart Hospital, a virtual hospital in which computerized simulators serve as patients, is a learning laboratory for students to gain confidence and competence in giving safe patient care.

The BSN is offered in two main formats: campus-based and accelerated online: click or tap here for a comparison of the two formats

Because the Prelicensure BSN Program is a limited access program, the College of Nursing and Health Innovation has expanded options for students to graduate in a health-related field. Students interested in admission to the BSN Prelicensure program will be placed in a healthcare professions program (Nursing and Health) designed to prepare students for application to the Undergraduate Nursing Program (BSN Prelicensure) or admission the Public Health Program (BS Public Health).

Nursing and Health students may apply to the BSN Prelicensure program and if accepted may progress to the upper-division nursing program. Students that are not accepted may seamlessly transition to the Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

Nursing and Health students are advised by the CONHI Office of Enrollment and Student Services. NOTE: All freshmen are advised by the University Advising Center. A designated CONHI advisor will advise students in the Freshman Nursing Scholars Program.

Applicants with transfer coursework from non-regionally accredited institutions are encouraged to submit their courses early to prevent delays in registration. Course materials can be submitted through the  Non-Regionally Accredited Transfer Credit Request

Prerequisite Courses

To learn how to navigate your path to graduation, view our  Experiential Major Maps .

Nursing and Health Degree Plan

Basic admission requirements must be met before a student can be accepted. Prospective students must apply to the university through the Office of Admissions , pay the application fee, and submit official transcripts to the UT Arlington’s Admission’s Office. The Admission’s Office is also responsible for calculating the admission GPA. All steps necessary to complete an application (i.e. submitting transcripts, paying fees) must be completed prior to progressing in the application process.

After admission to the University, a College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) Undergraduate Academic Advisor will review the application file for nursing specific requirements. Students should review the CONHI undergraduate program specific requirements. Specific program requirements can be found in the University Catalog - Nursing, Undergraduate Programs .

Students are responsible for tuition, fees, and charges. For information concerning tuition, fees, and charges, visit  About Tuition - Student Accounts - The University of Texas at Arlington (uta.edu) .

Nursing and Health Policies  

Course Load

Undergraduate education requires students to have dedicated time to devote to studying, completing assignments, preparing for, and other course work. Students are encouraged to consider their work schedules and commitments considering the demands of the nursing program and adjust accordingly. Commitments which compete with undergraduate study may result in suboptimal academic performance and place the student in academic jeopardy.

Study Time Recommendations 

In general, for every-one semester credit hour of enrollment a student should allocate 3 hours of study time outside of class. For example, a 3 semester credit hour course, may reasonably require 9 hours of study time, outside of class.

Employment Recommendations  

It is recommended that a student’s employment not exceed 16-20 hours per week in either regular or summer semesters. Students are encouraged to evaluate their energy level, familial and personal obligations, and school commitments before starting their degree program.  

Scholarship/Aid

Students seeking financial aid assistance, should contact the  Financial Aid ,  Scholarships  and  MAV ScholarShop  resources.

Academic Calendar

Students should review the  academic calendar prior to enrolling and prepare accordingly.

E-tutoring is available for all undergraduate students experiencing academic difficulty. Please visit  Online Tutoring - Division of Student Success - The University of Texas at Arlington  for more information.

CB Nursing and Health Information Session

Applying to the BSN Prelicensure Program

Admission Process

BSN Prelicensure applications must be submitted by the deadline; there are no exceptions. If applying as a new UT Arlington student, allow ample time for the admission process. Admissions processed after the BSN Prelicensure application deadline may result in a delayed application and subsequent denial from the nursing program.

BSN Prelicensure Program Admissions Requirements

Admission exam - teas admissions assessment exam.

All students are required to take a standardized entrance exam to evaluate prospective students and their potential for successful program completion. Nursing and Health students admitted to UT Arlington as freshman or transfer students - are required to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam for their standardized admission exam to the BSN Prelicensure program. Scores must be submitted by the submission deadline for the application to be considered complete.

Deadline to Submit TEAS Scores

• Spring Applicants:  June 1
• Fall Applicants:  January 15

Test Information

• The TEAS exam is a four-hour, computer-administered exam required for application to UT Arlington’s BSN Prelicensure programs.
• The TEAS exam is an assessment of a student’s academic preparedness for health science-related programs. Higher scores indicate greater academic preparedness.
• UT Arlington's BSN Prelicensure program requires student meet a proficiency score in each section to be eligible to apply. Proficient scores range from 58.7%-77.3%. Test may be repeated to achieve a higher score.
• The TEAS exam can be taken every 30 days with a maximum of 3 times a year.
• If the TEAS exam is repeated, all sections must be re-taken. Submitted scores must be from the same test administration.
• Passing scores are valid for 2 years.

For more information about the three step registration process, score information, and test day procedures, please visit the  UTA Testing Services webpage.

BSN Prelicensure Nursing Immunization Requirements

Information on  immunization requirements can be found on this page.

Specific information about each vaccination can be found in the FAQs document here .

Make sure to use the most recent information available when applying to the BSN Prelicensure Program.

Criminal Background

All students accepted to the upper division nursing program must complete their Board of Nursing (BON) criminal background check (CBC) and receive their results by the first week in March (fall applicants) or the first week in September (spring graduates). The BON CBC includes being fingerprinted through IdentoGo.

Texas Board of Nursing Process

All requests are submitted by completing a BON CBC Form in MyMav. Once received, the information is reviewed to determine if a prior request has been sent or if this is a new request. After this determination is made, your information will be submitted to the BON on a roster, or we will contact you for more information. It takes the BON 7 to 10 business days to process these requests. Thereafter, you will receive an email from IdentoGo a to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. Once the BON receives your criminal background check results, it takes at least 10 business days (sometimes longer) before you will receive the results in the form of a blue postcard or outcome letter. You will be instructed where to upload The CBC process takes at least 3 to 4 weeks from start to finish. It could be longer depending on the findings.

Keep your blue postcard or outcome letter in a safe place. Students are encouraged to take a picture of the letter or side of the card with your name and address to keep as a backup copy just in case it is misplaced. When you are accepted into the nursing program, you will be directed where to upload that card or letter.

• You will either receive a blue postcard or outcome letter not both .
• Blue postcard/blue card indicates no criminal activity (no further action required)
• Outcome Letter: Eligible to take NCLEX (no further action required)
• If you require a Declaratory order (must create Nurse Portal account and follow instructions provided by the BON: Texas Board of Nursing - Declaratory Order

Note: The BON communicates directly with students and does not relate personal student information to the College. Your results are not sent to UTA.

We have new process to initiate the Board of Nursing criminal background check. You are required to submit your request via MyMav. You will need a UTA email account to submit the request.

Please verify your information is correct in MyMav before proceeding. If your information is incorrect, click on this link for information on how to submit a records change. Your name must match the name on the government issued identification you will use for the fingerprinting appointment.

Learn more about the Texas Board of Nursing Criminal Background Check here.

Below is a link to a video on how to access the Board of Nursing Criminal Background Form. Please click on the link to view the instructions.

Texas Board of Nursing CBC  - video

Questions: Please email [email protected] .

GroupOne criminal background check: Online criminal background check

• Completed prior the JR I semester start . Program coordinators will communicate the instructions and deadline through JR I Orientation course in Canvas.
• An eligibility letter from the BON, indicating the student is eligible to take NCLEX, is required for a student with a history of criminal activity.

BSN Prelicensure Program Virtual Information Session

Links to individual videos:

Part 1 –  Upper-Division Selection Process Part 2 –  Minimum Requirements to Apply Part 3 –  Important College of Nursing Policies for Applicants Part 4 –  BSN Prerequisites Part 5 –  Frequently Asked Questions  

View or download the BSN Campus-Based slide show [PDF] here.

Upon completion, we invite you to participate in a survey about this session here.   Your feedback is appreciated.

BSN Prelicensure Program Application Instructions

• Log in to your  MyMav  account using your NetID and password.
• From the home screen, select “Admissions”
• From the Admissions screen, select “NURS Upper-Division Application”
• At the “Application Definition Code” drop down menu, select the program for which you are applying
• The “Term” for which you can apply will default to the current application period
• Select “Begin Application”

BSN Prelicensure Program Admission Resources

Students wanting to join the BSN Prelicensure program should utilize these resources.

• Admission Brochure
• Applicant Checklist
• Proposed Estimated Expenses
• Core Performance Standards

Transfer Student Admission

Refers to  students who have successfully completed prerequisite courses with a C or above including NURS 3366 Pathophysiology and NURS 3365 Pharmacology and Junior I courses for the BSN Program: Holistic Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing Foundations at another college or university.

Transfer Student Requirements

Students are required to:

• Complete the  Transfer Nursing Student Application
• Complete the minimum required scores on the admission exam as stated on the admission brochure
• Provide a “good standing” letter from the outside institution’s nursing department
• Submit a course syllabus and a content outline of the course(s). If the course is a clinical course, a list of nursing skills learned in the course(s) must also be submitted.

All requirements must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment and Student Services Assistant Dean.

If accepted:

• a student must attend a mandatory in-person orientation.
• a student may select the campus-based program or the accelerated online program.  

Students who have not completed the required courses will be ranked with the incoming junior class.

If previously admitted to a nursing program at an institution outside of UT Arlington, the “Transfer Nursing Student Policy” must be adhered to.  

Current BSN Prelicensure Students

Bsn prelicensure course sequencing.

The BSN Prelicensure curriculum is divided into four semesters to provide continuity, and integration in the learning experiences. Approximately 200 students are admitted into the campus-based program each fall and spring semester. Summers may be offered depending upon space availability.

Nursing Courses

Honors program.

The UT Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation, in conjunction with the Honors College, offers the opportunity to earn an Honors Degree. To earn this degree, a student must have at least 24 hours of Honors coursework, including at least 12 hours of honors coursework in nursing at UTA. The 12 hours in nursing must include 3 hours in Research (a required course), and a 3-hour Senior Project (Thesis/Creative Activity, Service Learning, Study Abroad, or Internship). The remainder of the student’s Honors hours can be earned in any of the nursing courses in which a student contracts for an Honors project. Students may “transfer in” honors courses from another university or junior college (please contact the Honors College for eligibility of these courses).

The faculty of the College of Nursing is committed to assisting students in the pursuit of an Honors Degree, and many students have had the opportunity to enrich their education through a variety of creative projects, some of which have included working with faculty on specific research projects.

Consider the benefits available to Honors students:

• Scholarships
• Early Registration (provided clinical requirements are submitted by the deadline)
• Priority placement at a clinical site (site only, not specific unit at the site, and only for those demonstrating progress in the honors program).
• Internships/Research Assistantships
• Personalized attention/Academic Advising
• Faculty/Student interaction
• Independent Research
• Extended Library Privileges/Honors College Library/Study Lounge
• Computer Access in Honors College
• Honors College Council
• Informal Social Gatherings
• Graduate School Preparation
• Opportunities to attend Honors Symposia, Lecture Series & Artistic Presentations

Honors College admission is competitive. Honors candidates must fulfill at least one of the following criteria, as well as submit an essay:

• Entering Freshmen: a combined Critical Reading and Math SAT score of 1270; an ACT score of 27; the upper 10% of their high school graduating class
• Currently enrolled or transfer students: 3.35 G.P.A.

Though you must meet the above criteria, admission is not based solely on grades or scores. The Admissions Committee looks for evidence in the application of strong analytic and imaginative abilities. A strong essay is an important consideration in the admission process.

The online application for admission to Honors College can be accessed at the  Honors College website . For additional information, please contact  Dr. Deborah Behan , the College of Nursing Honors Coordinator.

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Student Success

We believe the Student Success Program is one of the key factors in the success of our nursing graduates.

The Student Success Program was initially implemented in 2004 to increase retention and graduation rates of nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds (including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented among registered nurses) by providing activities to support their success. As a more far-reaching need was identified, the program expanded to include all undergraduate nursing students in the off-campus and on-campus prelicensure programs.

With the launching of the online program in 2010, the program was conceptualized to address the unique needs of online students. Year-round interventions include conference calls, one-on-one meetings, and test preparation and study webinars.

All pre-licensure nursing students can benefit from Student Success services. Beginning during JR I Orientation and continuing until graduation, the Student Success Coordinators assist students with the transition into nursing school, provide stress management strategies, and support students through classroom and online presentations that focus on clinical course content. Peer mentors are coordinated through Student Success. These current nursing students have excelled in the classroom and clinical setting; peer mentors provide guidance and support through their success tips.

Students may be referred to the Student Success Center by faculty or they may seek assistance directly with the coordinator and faculty. The most common areas of student need include: study skills, time management, test-taking strategies, math, HESI comprehensive exam and course preparation sessions. Referrals may be made to the Counseling and Psychological Services  office and financial aid office.

A course, Learning Professional Nursing and Life Skills (NURS 2232), is offered to assist students who experience challenges with testing, time management, study habits, and/or professional behavior. This course is required for students who fail a nursing course and/or score below a preset standard on the course HESI tests. Refer to the course syllabi for more information related to the course.

The Center has relocated to the second floor of Pickard Hall, room 220. There are five computers housed in the area, a large open room for group studying or meetings, and resources that can be checked for current student use. The Center is open Monday through Friday throughout the year.

Success Tips

Top five tips from students to be successful in nursing.

• You must manage your time well, stay organized, and use a calendar.
• Limit the number of hours you work to 16 per week. This will allow you to complete the assignments and really learn the information.
• Study  EVERY   Plan to study a minimum of 20-30 minutes EACH day for EACH course. Daily studying will help you retain the information.
• Use the resources available to you. This includes clinical faculty, lead teacher, peer mentors, student success, family, and friends. They can support and encourage you.
• And, to be successful in nursing school and in nursing, stay positive, take care of yourself, and believe in yourself!

Test Taking Skills

To be the most successful on nursing school tests, you must know the material and understand how to apply the information on a test. Good test taking strategies  DO NOT  replace knowledge, but they can enhance your ability to do well on tests when you are well informed. Review some  test taking tips  you can use.

Success Coordinator information can be found  here .

NOTE: For advising questions and concerns please reach out to  [email protected]

Student Success Coordinators

Deana furr, phd, rn.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Undergraduate Nursing

UTA Faculty Profile

Email: [email protected]

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Office: PKH 641

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How to Write a New Grad Nurse Cover Letter (With Examples!)

What is a new grad nurse cover letter.

• Cover Letter Benefits
• New Grad Nurse Cover Letter Features
• What to Include

First, congratulations on graduating from nursing school! This is a huge milestone that paves the way for an exciting and fulfilling career in the nursing profession. As you embark on this next chapter, it's time to polish  your new grad nurse resume and craft a captivating new grad nurse cover letter that truly shines.

If you are a recent nursing school graduate, you are in the right place! This article will explain what a new nurse cover letter is, how they are unique from other cover letters, what they should include, and four sample new grad nurse cover letters. 

A new grad nurse cover letter is the document that will accompany your resume when applying for a nursing position or nurse residency program as a new grad nurse.

It serves as an introduction to the hiring manager and provides an opportunity to highlight your qualifications, skills, and passion for nursing.

Most importantly, cover letters also allow you to make a positive first impression. A well-written cover letter helps grab the hiring manager's attention and makes them interested in reviewing your resume and considering you for the position.

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Do You Need a Cover Letter When Applying to Jobs as New Grad Nurse?

The short answer is yes, you do need one! Here are the top 3 reasons why new nurse grad cover letters are an essential component of a job application:

Personalization

A cover letter allows you to customize your application and tailor it to the specific nursing position you are applying for. You can highlight relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications that make you a strong candidate for that particular role.

Showcase Your Qualifications

A cover letter provides an opportunity to expand on the information provided in your resume. 

You can elaborate on your educational background, clinical experiences, and any specialized training or certifications you have obtained. This helps the hiring manager understand your qualifications in more detail.

Express Your Passion For Nursing

A cover letter allows you to convey your passion for nursing and express why you are motivated to pursue a career in this field. It helps the hiring manager gauge your enthusiasm and commitment to the profession.

Stand Out From Your Competition

A cover letter gives you the opportunity to differentiate yourself from other candidates. By highlighting your unique experiences, skills, and qualifications, you can make a compelling case for why you are the best fit for the position.

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How is a New Grad Nurse Cover Letter Unique from Other Cover Letters?

A new grad nurse cover letter is different from other cover letters because the context is very specific to newly graduated nurses entering the workforce. Here are some unique aspects:

Nursing Education

As a new graduate nurse, your educational background is a critical component of your qualifications. 

Your cover letter will likely place significant emphasis on your nursing education, including the nursing program you completed, and any relevant coursework or clinical rotations. 

If you graduated with honors, this is a great place to emphasize it!

Limited Professional Experience Compared to Experienced RNs

Unlike experienced nurses, new grad nurses have limited professional experience. Therefore, the focus of your cover letter will often be on your clinical experiences during your nursing program, including any internships, externships, or practical training. 

You can highlight the skills, knowledge, and achievements gained during these experiences to demonstrate your readiness for the job.

Demonstrate Enthusiasm and Eagerness to Learn

As a new graduate, employers understand that you are entering the nursing field with a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge but limited practical experience. 

Your cover letter should convey your enthusiasm for learning and your eagerness to grow as a nurse. You can express your commitment to ongoing professional development, continuing education, and embracing mentorship opportunities.

What Should You Include in a New Grad Nurse Cover Letter?

When crafting a New Grad Nurse Cover Letter, you should include the following sections, each serving a specific purpose:

1. Personal and Contact Information

Include your full name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the cover letter. This information allows the hiring manager to easily reach out to you.

2. Greeting

Address the cover letter to the hiring manager or the person responsible for reviewing applications. 

If the job posting does not mention a specific name, you can address it as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Name of the Healthcare Organization] Hiring Team."

To find the appropriate contact information, you can search the organization's website and LinkedIn profiles of employees, or consider making a phone call to the organization's human resources department.

3. Opening Paragraph

In the opening paragraph, introduce yourself as a recent nursing graduate and express your interest in the specific nursing position you are applying for. 

Mention how you learned about the job opening, whether through a job posting, referral, or research on the organization.

4. Middle Paragraph(s):

In the middle paragraph(s), elaborate on your qualifications, skills, and experiences. 

Highlight your nursing education, including the name of the nursing program, the degree obtained, and the date of graduation. Mention any honors, awards, or notable achievements during your studies.

Discuss your clinical experiences, such as internships or practical training, and emphasize the types of patients you worked with, the skills you gained, and any noteworthy contributions or accomplishments.

Additionally, highlight any relevant transferable skills from other experiences, such as leadership roles, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. These skills can include communication, teamwork, critical thinking, organization, and problem-solving.

5. Closing Paragraph

In the closing paragraph, reiterate your interest in the position and express gratitude for the opportunity to apply. 

Emphasize your enthusiasm for further discussing your qualifications in an interview. 

You can mention that you are open to providing any additional information or references upon request.

6. Sign Off

End the cover letter with a professional sign-off, such as "Sincerely," followed by your full name. 

Leave space for your handwritten signature if you are submitting a physical copy of the letter.

Nursing Cover Letter Tips for New Grads

Remember to keep your cover letter concise and focused, typically no longer than one page. 

Customize it for each job application, aligning your qualifications and experiences with the specific requirements of the position.

 Proofread the letter carefully to ensure it is free from errors and presents a professional image.

4 Nurse Cover Letter Examples for New Grads 

Here are four nurse cover letter examples tailored to different scenarios for new grad nurses:

Example #1: New Grad Nurse Applying to a Med Surg Unit

Dear (Recipient's Name),

I am writing to express my strong interest in the New Grad Nurse position within the Medical-Surgical Unit at (Healthcare Organization). As a recent graduate of (Nursing Program) with a passion for patient care and a solid foundation in medical-surgical nursing, I am excited to contribute to your dedicated team.

During my nursing education at (Nursing Program), I developed a comprehensive understanding of medical-surgical nursing principles and gained valuable clinical experience. I successfully completed rotations in diverse healthcare settings, including medical-surgical units, where I had the opportunity to care for patients with a wide range of conditions and diagnoses. My clinical experiences helped equip me with strong assessment skills, the ability to administer medications safely, and effective communication with interdisciplinary teams.

I am confident in my ability to provide exceptional care to patients in the Medical-Surgical Unit at (Healthcare Organization). I am committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care and ensuring the highest standard of safety and quality.

I am impressed by (healthcare Organization’s) reputation for excellence in medical-surgical care and your commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. I am eager to join your team and contribute to the delivery of outstanding patient outcomes.

Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and passion for medical-surgical nursing align with the needs of (Healthcare Organization) in an interview. Please find my attached resume for your review. I look forward to hearing from you.

(Your Full Name)

Example #2: New Grad Nurse Applying to a Labor and Delivery Unit

I am thrilled to apply for the New Grad Nurse position within the Labor and Delivery Unit at (Healthcare Organization). As a recent graduate of (Nursing Program), I am excited to embark on a fulfilling career in maternal-child health and contribute to the exceptional care provided by your renowned department.

Throughout my nursing education, I developed a strong passion for women's health and had the privilege of completing a clinical rotation in the Labor and Delivery Unit at (Hospital Name). This experience provided me with hands-on exposure to the full spectrum of obstetric care, including antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum stages. I gained valuable skills in fetal monitoring, assisting with labor and delivery, conducting newborn assessments, and providing breastfeeding support.

My dedication to providing compassionate care to women and their families is unwavering. I possess excellent communication skills, which allow me to establish trusting relationships with patients, address their concerns, and provide education during pivotal moments. I am confident in my ability to promote a safe and nurturing environment for both mothers and infants, ensuring positive birth experiences and healthy outcomes.

The commitment to excellence and family-centered care at (Healthcare Organization) aligns perfectly with my professional values. Joining your Labor and Delivery Unit would allow me to contribute my knowledge and skills while continuously growing and learning as a nurse.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to discuss further how my passion for maternal-child health and my dedication to providing exceptional care align with the needs of (Healthcare Organization). Please find my attached resume for your review. I look forward to the possibility of an interview.

Example #3: New Grad Nurse Applying to the ICU

I am writing to express my interest in the New Grad Nurse position within the Intensive Care Unit at (Healthcare Organization). As a recent graduate of (Nursing Program), I am eager to embark on a challenging and rewarding career in critical care nursing and contribute to your esteemed department's mission of providing exceptional patient care.

During my nursing education, I had the privilege of completing a clinical rotation in the ICU at (Hospital Name). This invaluable experience exposed me to a wide array of critical care scenarios, including postoperative care, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular emergencies. I developed strong assessment skills and honed my ability to monitor and interpret vital signs.

My passion for critical care nursing is fueled by a commitment to deliver exemplary patient outcomes. I thrive in high-pressure situations, utilizing critical thinking and effective communication to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and ensure prompt and precise interventions. I am eager to learn and become more proficient in advanced life support techniques, medication administration, and ventilator management to provide compassionate and evidence-based care to critically ill patients.

(Healthcare Organization)'s reputation for excellence in critical care and commitment to advancing patient care aligns perfectly with my professional aspirations. I am impressed by the innovative practices and ongoing professional development opportunities available within your organization. 

Thank you for considering my application. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my dedication, clinical competencies, and enthusiasm for critical care align with the needs of (Healthcare Organization). Please find my attached resume for your review. I am excited about the possibility of an interview and look forward to hearing from you.

Example #4: New Grad Nurse Applying to an Oncology Unit

I am writing to express my sincere interest in the New Grad Nurse Program within the Oncology Unit at (Healthcare Organization). As a recent graduate of (Nursing Program) with a strong passion for oncology nursing, I am eager to contribute to your dedicated team and provide compassionate care to individuals and families impacted by cancer.

Throughout my nursing education, I was deeply inspired by the strength and resilience of oncology patients I encountered during my clinical rotations. I gained exposure to various aspects of oncology care, including chemotherapy administration, symptom management, patient education, and palliative care. 

I am committed to providing holistic support to patients throughout their cancer journey. I possess excellent communication skills, enabling me to establish trusting relationships, listen attentively to patients' concerns, and provide emotional support. I am dedicated to staying updated on advancements in oncology treatments and nursing interventions to ensure the highest standard of care.

(Healthcare Organization)'s reputation as a leading provider of oncology services, along with your comprehensive and patient-focused approach aligns with my professional goals. Participating in your New Grad Nurse Program would provide an ideal platform to enhance my skills, expand my knowledge, and contribute to the well-being of oncology patients.

Thank you for considering my application. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my passion for oncology nursing, and dedication to patient care. Please find my attached resume for your review. I am excited about the possibility of an interview and look forward to hearing from you.

A well-crafted new grad nurse cover letter is a valuable tool for showcasing your qualifications, skills, and passion for nursing. It allows you to personalize your application and stand out from other candidates, despite limited professional experience. 

By highlighting your education, clinical experiences, transferable skills, and career goals, you can highlight your readiness and commitment to excel as a new graduate nurse.

Remember, landing your first nursing position may take time and perseverance. But with a well-crafted cover letter, a compelling resume, and a great attitude, you will land your first nursing job. Good luck in your job search as you embark on this fulfilling and rewarding journey as a new grad nurse!

Sarah Jividen , RN, BSN, is a trained neuro/trauma and emergency room nurse turned freelance healthcare writer/editor. As a journalism major, she combined her love for writing with her passion for high-level patient care. Sarah is the creator of Health Writing Solutions , LLC, specializing in writing about healthcare topics, including health journalism, education, and evidence-based health and wellness trends. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two children. 

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From Men in Nursing: 7 Reasons Guys Decide to Become Nurses

By Brianna Flavin on 05/07/2024

If you’ve paid any attention to healthcare news, you know there’s a nursing shortage going on .

Nursing roles and capabilities in healthcare are expanding rapidly, while at the same time, a large percentage of the nursing workforce is starting to retire. That math puts many healthcare employers in the negative, scrambling to find and incentivize more nurses.

Nurses today are flying into action during code blues, solving complicated problems, treating wounds on helicopters and, just generally, being hardcore heroes. Still, some people never look into nursing as a career option because they picture nurses as Florence Nightingale. The mother of modern nursing was white, British, and especially—female.

If you aren’t those things, you might have gotten the message sometime in your life that nursing wasn’t for you. But that message was wrong.

The gender stereotypes around nursing don’t just limit men from engaging in this rewarding career. They’re also a detriment to patient care.

“We treat men, we work with men, we have male patients,” says William Swanson, Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner in Mount Sinai Health System . “It’s important for the nursing industry to represent the populations we serve, to have more of an understanding,” Swanson explains. “That’s everyone.”

Male nurses comprised 12.6% of the national nursing workforce in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 1 That figure represents a 59% increase in male nurses over the past 10 years, according to Nurse Journal .

Think of that. In one decade, the nursing workforce has far more male nurses than ever before. With the nursing shortage, and the overall need for nurses to represent the patients they serve, that can only be a good thing.

Because here’s the secret—nursing is an incredible field to work in. As people of all genders catch on to that, the care will get richer and the solutions more creative. The more, the merrier.

To get a good look at what this is like on a personal level, we asked men in nursing to share what drew them to the nursing profession—and what they love about it as their career experience grows. Why did they decide to become a nurse?

1. I wanted to work with my hands AND earn a good salary

So many of the interesting careers that let you work with your hands come with less-than-thrilling wages and cause too much wear and tear on your body over time.

Nursing is something of an exception to this. Matthew Suarez, graduating nursing student at Rasmussen University's Tampa/Brandon nursing program decided to enroll in nursing school after feeling trapped in his job.

“I was 28 and was not satisfied with my job at the time, and knew I had to change career paths at some point because I could not do that the rest of my life.” For Suarez, the new career had to tick a few boxes. “I wanted to find a career path that paid well and allowed me to work with my hands.” Once he decided on nursing, he enrolled in a program right away.

“Now I am 30 years old, and I love what I do and am proud of the career that I chose,” Suarez says. “Nursing is the career path I've been searching for all along. If you do not like your job now, make the change right away, do not wait any longer.”

2. Because nursing still leaves my options wide open

One thing many people don’t realize about nursing is just how many options you’ll have in the career. This makes it the perfect area of study if you’re restless, worried about getting bored in your role or averse to feeling trapped. For many, becoming a male nurse makes total sense once they see how many choices nursing professionals have.

“You can work in emergency care, surgery, pediatrics, oncology and so much more,” says Yiannis Panteli, male nurse and blogger at Study in Nursing . He adds that the human interaction and technical expertise of nursing requires also makes the work both personally fulfilling and intellectually challenging.

“There’s just so much you can do,” Swanson says. “So many different kinds of nursing. For a while, I did a side hustle as a flight nurse. I chose times when I wanted to work and travel with patients.”

“Rasmussen University has shown us a lot of different nursing professions that I didn't know existed,” Suarez says. Roles like mental health nurses, surgical nurses, nurse educators, nurses doing advocacy in their communities or working in public health.

Many people picture registered nurses (RNs) in critical care nursing when they think of the career. But getting a handle on everything from licensed practical nurses to nurse anesthetists could truly wow you. For a better wide-angle view on that, check out A Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Levels of Nursing Credentials .

“Or if you want to work in an office and never get dirty, you can work for an insurance company,” Swanson says. “It’s a career that can take you anywhere and allow you to feel you honestly make the world a better place with your actions.”

3. I really wanted that schedule

“In the beginning, I remember really being enticed by the twelve-hour workday schedule, that you could have four days off in a row,” Swanson says. Many healthcare facilities that employ nurses operate on a 24/7 schedule. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, addiction treatment centers and birth centers to name a few.

In these environments, employers typically schedule nurses to work 12-hours a day for three days, then have four days off in a row. For the right person, having a double weekend schedule, while still enjoying career stability, makes the long hours very worth it.

But the schedule options in the healthcare system are just as varied as the role options. If you prefer a 9-5 schedule, looking for work at a clinic, dialysis center or specialized outpatient treatment center could fit your needs.

Or you could create your own schedule.

“Once I had a family, I liked the ability to set my own schedule,” Swanson says. “This is especially possible for nurse practitioners. There’s such a high demand, and it’s all client-based. So we have the power to say when we’re going to work to an extent.” For example, Swanson will schedule patients throughout his week, sometimes on weekends too to accommodate patient needs. But he tells them when he’s available, working around other commitments in his life.

“When it’s time to get my son from school, I can do that,” Swanson explains. “I can balance patient needs with my own as a father and human being.”

For Swanson, the flexibility and overall power he had over his work increased with each degree he advanced. “Eventually I got my DNP (doctorate of nursing practice). Each step provided more autonomy and greater scope of practice, and I’ve never regretted going into this field.”

Nursing programs in advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice also allow nurses to specialize in different areas. Swanson's work in mental health and psychiatry looks totally different from the role he had as a registered nurse right out of school, but the heart of the job is the same.

4. Because I saw compassion impact people’s lives

Nursing is a deeply compassionate field. It’s not just that people who come to nursing tend to have high doses of compassion for others (though that is true)—but it’s also that the very role of nursing centers patient care.

This was something Chris McDemott, APRN and certified life care planner at Intercoastal Consulting & Life Care Planning , witnessed while watching family members work in nursing. “I was able to tag along with one of my aunts to a local children’s hospital once,” he says. The impact of that memory stuck with him when he started considering career options.

“The compassion to make a meaningful difference in people's lives motivated me.”

“My interest in nursing sparked during my teenage years when I observed the compassionate care my grandmother received from male nurses during her illness,” says Trent Carter, nurse practitioner and FNP-BC ® , CARN-AP ® at Cured Nation .

“Witnessing the impact they had on her well-being inspired me,” Carter explains. “The combination of empathy and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference drew me into nursing.”

5. Because nurses made healthcare look fun

When he was a child, Suarez fractured vertebrae in his neck and back while tackling someone in football. His corresponding hospital stay left a powerful impression on him.

“I had a group of extremely nice nurses that would come into my room to visit me often those three days,” Suarez remembers. “I loved the nursing station. Everyone was friendly, and they all had camaraderie with each other.”

Seeing the way nurses supported and laughed with each other as they worked was just as powerful as seeing their friendliness to patients. “They made healthcare look like an enjoyable place to work.”

6. Because I wanted to care for the whole person

Physicians are traditionally disease-focused, Swanson says. “They look for what’s going wrong. But nursing takes a different approach.”

As a psychiatric mental-health nurse practitioner, Swanson does evaluate disorders and prescribe medication, but there’s so much more incorporated into his care. 

“It’s more holistic, more health-focused,” Swanson explains. “Nurses tend to bolster healthy habits, exercise, diet, social connectedness—those lifestyle modifications are more important than whatever medicine I can prescribe.”

7. Because the industry really competes for us

“The demand for nurses is consistently high, offering job security and opportunities for advancement,” Pateli says. This isn't unique to male nursing; health care has been relying on nurses to fit many different needs and gaps in patient care over the years.

One cool thing about nursing, according to Swanson, is the way you can work while getting each degree. “A lot of companies will help with your tuition. Basically, you sign a commitment to stay a while after you graduate, and they will help pay for it.”

This employer-tuition-reimbursement arrangement is one way healthcare employers try to attract more dedicated nurses. It's commonplace in hospitals who want to encourage their nurses to earn a bachelor's degree.

And it’s not only at the registered nursing level either. “My hospital helped pay for my master’s and doctorate,” Swanson says. “There’s such a need for advanced practice nurses, it’s really common.”

Healthcare is a critical need. With so many employers and even the federal government trying to find ways to incentivize nurses, the career can feel a lot more exciting and full of opportunity than industries where there’s not as much demand.

Because nurses make the world a better place

“I wish more men understood the vast opportunities for career growth and specialization within nursing,” Carter says. So many men want to help people and make a difference in the world. And nursing is a way to do that while also being able to support your loved ones, work with your hands and advance throughout your career.

If you look at what motivated these male nurses and compare it to a list of what motivated female nurses—you’ll see the same kind of thing. Nurses of any gender, male nurses and their female counterparts will all talk about the moment they realized nursing could do more than they imagined in the world. At the end of the day, nursing is just a great career, for anyone.

“Nursing accommodates diverse interests and talents, providing a sense of fulfillment and purpose,” Carter says. “And the ability to directly impact someone's life in their vulnerable moments is a privilege.”

“I have never regretted going into this field,” Swanson says. “I’ll be on my deathbed, looking back, knowing I left the world a little better than when I showed up.” For nurses, that’s the heart of the matter right there.

Have you ever considered nursing? If some of these insights into the world of nursing have you intrigued, check out "Would I Be a Good Nurse? 11 Questions to Ask Yourself."

CARN-AP ® is a registered trademark of ADDICTIONS NURSING CERTIFICATION BOARD FNP-BC ® is a registered trademark of American Nurses Credentialing Center 1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey 2023, (accessed April 2024), Employed persons by detailed occupation.

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About the author

Brianna Flavin

Brianna is a senior content manager who writes student-focused articles for Rasmussen University. She holds an MFA in poetry and worked as an English Professor before diving into the world of online content. 

Posted in General Nursing

• professional nursing
• nursing trends
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• bachelor of science in nursing
• master of science in nursing
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