Nurse Programs: How To Get Accepted Into A Nursing Program

Nurse programs are amongst the most popular college programs across the nation.  The reason for this is very simple.  Nursing is a great career that provides better pay and job security than most other degrees that you can choose.  However, this isn’t an easy program to get into.  Unlike other college programs, a person has to be accepted or invited into nurse programs.  The acceptance is usually based around a point system that most schools implement to decide who they will let into their nurse programs.

I know you probably have questions about how this point system works and what it involves.  First, let me go over how the curriculum is set up for most nurse programs.  A student does have to take the usually basic courses that other degrees also require.  It can vary from state to state, but you can expect a lower level basic algebra class, history classes, and English classes.  Public speaking and a fine arts class is a requirement most of the times too.  However, a person can be accepted into a program before they take these classes.  For recent high school graduates, many colleges will consider a student’s grades in chemistry, algebra, and biology.  The student’s ACT score is then used to complete their points.  Those who have been out of high school for more than a few years or don’t have the necessary points will have to obtain the points through three required courses and a test.  Those courses include microbiology and two classes of anatomy and physiology.  The test can be a Compass reading test or a newly required test called a Teas V test.  The Teas V test is more than just a reading test and includes other subjects including math and science.   The total number of points will vary from institution to institution, but generally the Teas V or Compass testing earns about 50 percent of the total points. However, it is important that you investigate this yourself when you choose the college that you will enroll in.

Along with the high interest for people to get into nurse programs, another problem arises.  That problem is the shortage of instructors.  There are theories as to why there is a shortage, such as an instructors’ salary is much less than what they could make working as a nurse.  This usually limits the class size to only half or less of the students that apply being accepted into the program.  This is a trend that I don’t see being solved any time soon.  Therefore it is very important for students to be focused in their studies, especially in the classes that they will earn points toward nurse programs.  There is also a difference in the amount of positions available depending on which one of the nurse programs you choose.  For example, if you are at a community college, there is generally a lot more RN positions available than LPN positions.  This is just another factor that needs to be looked at when you are looking at nurse programs.

The fact that nurse programs are hard to get into should be looked at as a good thing.  There is currently a great need nurses across the U.S. and the number of applications shows that people are still interested in filling that need.  Nurse programs are difficult to get into and difficult to pass, and for good reason.  I wouldn’t want a “D” student to be making decisions on my health and I’m sure you wouldn’t either.  Therefore you need to realize that nurse programs are built the way they are for a reason, and that is to have the best students become healthcare professionals that will make a difference in many people’s lives.