HIGHER EDUCATION
Why Is Nursing School So Hard to Get Into?
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EveryNurse Staff
- Last Updated: 10/28/2021
Nursing is a field that has seen rapid growth in recent years, with demand for nurses far outpacing supply. Nursing schools recognize that a severe nursing shortage exists in the United States, but are still rejecting thousands of qualified applicants each year. So, what explains the discrepancy between the growing need for nurses and lower enrollment numbers? In the article below, we will examine several of the most commonly proposed explanations and discuss ways to increase your chances of getting accepted into nursing school.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Nursing School?
Nurses at every level of patient care are trusted with the health and wellbeing of their patients, which is an enormous responsibility. You are quite literally responsible for the lives of your patients which requires a high level of professionalism, skill, and personal accountability. So, it makes sense that nursing programs would be demanding and selective when it comes to student admissions.
Nursing schools must carefully evaluate each applicant to ensure they are capable of handling the rigor and demands of a nursing program. They must have high academic and ethical standards for entry into the program and look for applicants that are capable of living up to the high standards of the profession. Nursing programs have a responsibility to not only the students that are accepted into their program but also to the profession as a whole.
A Third of Qualified Applicants are Turned Away
Competition for entry into nursing programs is intense. According to the National League of Nursing, roughly one-third of all qualified applications are rejected by BSN programs. Top nursing schools are looking for the “best of the best”, so even students with a high GPA may find themselves turned away. If you find yourself barely meeting the criteria for acceptance into a nursing program, you may need to consider applying to more than one school or taking steps to boost your qualifications prior to applying.
Three Reasons Why Nursing Schools Are So Competitive
As we have noted, nursing school admissions are extremely competitive. Standards are justifiably high due to the responsibility and consequences of working as a nurse. But, high standards are not the only factors that play into the difficulty level of getting accepted. There are other factors that make it difficult for nursing schools to expand enrollment. Let’s take a look at three of the most common explanations offered by nursing schools:
Insufficient Capacity
There are not enough nursing schools to meet the demand for nurses and nursing programs are limited to the number of students they can accommodate. Nursing schools receive thousands of applications from qualified applicants, but can only accept a fraction of as many students. Nursing programs are limited to their capacity by factors such as the size of their faculty, facilities, and equipment.
A Shortage of Faculty
Nursing educators are also in short supply, as nursing schools struggle to recruit and retain faculty. Nursing programs rely on a steady stream of qualified instructors to meet the needs of their students, so when faculty shortages occur, it can be difficult to expand enrollment.
Expensive Facilities and Technology
Equipping a campus for nursing education requires a substantial investment. Nursing schools are expensive to build and equip, which limits a nursing program’s ability to expand enrollment or accept more students. For example, nursing programs must provide equipment for experiential learning, such as IVs, catheters, nursing mannequins, lift beds, wheelchairs, and other simulation equipment so students can gain hands-on experience with the tools of modern nursing practice.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Accepted Into Nursing School
There are a few obvious steps you can take to improve your chances of being accepted into a nursing program, like having a high GPA and completing prerequisite courses. But, there are other factors that can help you get into nursing school as well.
Why Nursing?
The best advice about how to get into nursing school begins with the most basic question: why do you want to become a nurse? You must be able to articulate clearly why you want to be a nurse and what about nursing most appeals to you. Nursing schools are looking for students that have made an informed, deliberate decision about a career in nursing. Nursing programs want passionate applicants who have spent time reflecting on their reasons for wanting to be a nurse and can clearly communicate their reasons to admission committee members.
Highlight Your Unique Experiences To Set Yourself Apart
Nursing is a highly sought-after field, so you can be sure that other applicants will share your interest in nursing and have many of the same qualifications as you do. Use your unique experiences to set yourself apart from other applicants. Nursing programs are looking for students with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Nursing school admissions committees want to know you will be able to contribute something unique to their program.
Demonstrate Your Commitment to Nursing
Nursing is a difficult field that requires intensive preparation. Nursing school admissions committee members want to know you are committed to being successful, so be sure your application reflects this fact. For example, if you have taken the time and effort to volunteer in a healthcare setting or shadow nurses during their workday at hospitals and clinics, make sure your application reflects this fact. Obtaining relevant certifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification can also help you demonstrate genuine interest and commitment to learning.
Be Prepared To Apply to More Than One Nursing School
Prospective students often make the mistake of honing in on a single nursing program, when they should be applying to several programs. Not only can applying to multiple programs increase your odds of getting accepted, but you may also find a good match in a program that offers a nursing specialty or concentration not offered by your first choice school.
Also, the most direct path to a career in nursing may not be the geographically closest option. If you are willing to relocate for the right program, you will increase your options and open yourself to a variety of new experiences.
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