Meeting a school's general entrance requirements is the first step toward getting a university or college degree in nursing. Admission requirements may vary, but a high school diploma or it's equivalent is definitely necessary. Most accredited colleges also consider SAT scores, along with your high school GPA. A strong college-preparatory class load in science and mathematics is preferred as well.

To apply to nursing school, you should contact the admission offices of the colleges or universities in which you are interested and request the appropriate application forms. Programs can be more competitive, so early submission of the application is definitely a smart idea.

Interviews and essays

Academic performance is not the sole basis of acceptance. Admission officers also weigh such factors as student activities, employment, and references. Moreover, many require an interview and/or essay in which you offer a "goal statement." This part of the process can be completed prior to your entrance into the college or university, or prior to your entrance into the school of nursing itself, depending on the program.

In this interview or essay, you may list career preferences and the reasons for your choices. This allows admission officers to assess your goals and gain insight into your values and integrity. One would expect that a goal statement from a student who is just entering college would be more general than that of a student who has had two years of pre-professional nursing studies. If you have more experience, you're likely to have a more focused idea of what is to be gained.

Accreditation

As you apply to nursing school, keep in mind that accreditation is very important. You should consider it on two levels — the accreditation of the university or college and the accreditation of the nursing program itself. Accreditation is a voluntary process in which the school or the program asks for an external review of its programs, facilities, and faculty. For nursing programs, the review is performed by peers in nursing education to ensure program quality and integrity.

Undergraduate programs undergo two types of systematic reviews. First, the school must be approved by the state board of nursing. This approval ensures that its students will be eligible to sit for the licensing examinations offered through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. The second is administered by a nursing accreditation agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Though accreditation is voluntary, access to federal loans and scholarships requires it, and most graduate schools only accept students who have earned degrees from accredited schools. Further, accreditation ensures an ongoing process of quality improvement, based on national standards. Canadian nursing programs are accredited by the Canadian Association of University Schools of Nursing. There are two recognized accreditation agencies for undergraduate nursing programs in the U.S.: the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Source: Linda K. Amos, Ed.D., FAAN, Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Professor, University of Utah, Petersons