Get Out Of Nursing School Waiting Lists And Into The Program

If you've tried applying at a traditional nursing school and found yourself at the bottom of a long list, you're not alone. The good news is, there's a way past that list. Here's what you should do.

1. Check your GPA.

If it is not very high - 3.5 or higher - than you may not want to waste time on a traditional nursing school, because they are very competitive these days. If you are still interested in the traditional nursing schools in your area, call the admissions counselors at each school and ask him or her what the average GPA of last year's nursing class was, and how many applicants there were for the program, and how many actual spaces there were in the program. If there were for instance, 1000 applicants for 100 available slots, and the average GPA was 3.85, you may still apply if you want even if your GPA is lower than this. However, it would be best to have an alternate plan under the circumstances.

2. Get information from the State Board of Nursing on all the accredited nursing schools in your state.

You will most likely find it on the board's site. Print it out. Highlight all of the schools that are in the area that you are able to attend. If you can't move to go to school, of course, highlight only the schools in your area.

3. Look into what types of online nursing school are accepted in your state.

Nowadays, most community colleges have a range of accredited online programs related to the medical field such as LPN to RN or paramedic to RN. Find out which schools these are and get more information about the programs available.

4. Know all your options.

In lieu of attending a traditional nursing school, you may opt to: get a degree as a paramedic or Licensed Practical Nurse or respiratory therapist first, and then get an online LPN to RN or Paramedic to RN degree while you work full time. Or, go to private career colleges that seem to be mushrooming these days, and although you will pay more, you will get in much more quickly, graduate early, and be employed as a registered nurse before you know it.

5. Find out the application deadlines for all of the nursing schools that you are interested in.

Secure your high school or college transcripts, and start applying! Applying to multiple schools increases your chances of acceptance.