Your Comprehensive Nursing School Admissions Guide: 60 Pages of Expert Info

Our complete Nursing School Admissions guide contains expert knowledge, relevant insights, and background knowledge to help prepare you for the nursing school admissions process!

Your Free Nursing School Admissions Downloadable Sent Straight to Your Inbox

With 15+ years of admissions expertise, our team of nursing school admissions experts understands what it takes to create a winning application. Starting on the right note begins with understanding the process in-depth!

Inspira Advantage’s free Nursing School Admissions guide is the perfect resource to help you start your journey. Download your 60-page guide today for free to learn more about: 

  • An overview of BSN programs and the best nursing schools 
  • Nursing school prerequisites and application requirements 
  • Nursing school personal statement tips 
  • Common nursing school interview questions and sample answers 
  • Nursing school costs and scholarship opportunities 
  • And much more! 

Inspira Advantage makes preparing for nursing school easier; click above to get your free guide today!


Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing:

How Much Does Nursing School Cost?

  • Costs vary widely by credential, from a few thousand dollars to $100,000+
  • LPN programs: ~$4,000–$28,000 (often ~$8,000–$12,000)
  • ADN-to-RN programs: ~$12,000–$35,000 (often ~$18,000–$25,000)
  • BSN programs:
    • Public schools: ~$40,000–$80,000
    • Private schools: ~$60,000–$120,000
    • Out-of-state tuition is often significantly higher
  • APRN pathways (BSN + master’s): ~$63,000–$200,000+ depending on pathway/school
  • Extra costs can include: books/supplies, health requirements (tests/vaccines/background checks), transportation, food, lost income, childcare
  • Common ways students reduce costs: in-state public programs, online options
  • Common ways students pay: financial aid, scholarships, student loans (if needed)

How To Write a Personal Statement for Nursing School?

  • A nursing personal statement is a short essay (often 2 pages or less) explaining:
    • Who you are
    • Why nursing
    • Why you fit the program
  • A clear structure helps:
    • Opening: an origin story (what sparked your interest)
    • Body: key experiences + skills (without repeating your resume)
    • Conclusion: goals + what you’ll contribute
  • Strong essays are: focused, authentic, easy to follow (a timeline approach often works well)
  • Avoid: rambling anecdotes, vague statements, listing accomplishments without meaning
  • Tie experiences to nursing-relevant growth like: empathy, communication, resilience, patient-centered care
  • Research each program and include specific, tailored reasons you’re applying
  • Best personal statements balance: genuine story + concrete evidence + clear fit

What Are 25 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs?

  • Highest-paying roles are usually advanced practice or highly specialized
  • Top spot listed: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) (~$259,707/year median in the guide)
  • Other high-earning paths include:
    • Nurse Practitioner (General) (~$132,629/year)
    • Psychiatric NP (~$134,503/year)
    • Gerontological NP (~$134,369/year)
    • NICU Nurse (~$127,391/year)
    • ICU Nurse (~$114,898/year)
  • Other strong earners in the roundup:
    • Telehealth Nurse (~$185,411/year)
    • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) (~$122,444/year)
    • RN First Assist (~$108,020/year)
  • Location matters a lot:
    • High-paying RN states listed include Hawaii (~$124,000/year) and California (~$112,902/year)
    • Top-paying cities listed include San Jose, CA (~$155,230/year) and San Francisco, CA (~$151,640/year)
  • Some higher-paying RN industries listed: non-scheduled air transportation (~$112,630) and pharmaceutical/medicine manufacturing (~$105,270)
  • Takeaway: specialty training + advanced practice + high-paying markets can significantly increase earnings

How To Become a Nurse?

  • Pick a pathway based on your timeline and goals:
    • CNA: ~4–12 weeks
    • LPN: ~1 year
    • RN: ADN (~2–3 years) or BSN (~4 years)
    • APRN: RN + MSN (~2–3 years) or DNP (~3–4 years)
  • Typical eligibility requirements:
    • High school diploma
    • English proficiency
    • Prerequisites (often bio/chem/college-prep math with C or better)
    • Common GPA targets: ~2.75+ (ADN) or ~3.0+ (BSN)
    • Entrance exam may be required (SAT/TEAS depending on program)
  • Licensing exams:
    • NCLEX-PN for LPN
    • NCLEX-RN for RN
  • State licensing often includes: background check (and other state-specific requirements)
  • Pay examples listed in the guide:
    • CNA: ~$30,290/year
    • LPN: ~$48,070/year
    • RN: ~$77,600/year (also notes RN average ~$81,220 from BLS)
    • APRN: ~ $104,107–$195,610 (range given)
  • Strong nurses are described as: compassionate, calm under pressure, excellent communicators
  • Strategy tips: build experience early, plan prerequisites 1–2 years ahead, use bridge programs later to move up

How To Get Into Nursing School?

  • Start by choosing your target pathway: CNA → LPN → RN (ADN/BSN) → MSN/DNP (optional)
  • Common requirements include:
    • High school diploma/GED
    • Strong math + science performance
    • Standardized testing (SAT/ACT or other entrance exams depending on program)
  • GPA expectations (as framed in the guide):
    • Average requirement often ~2.5–3.0, varies widely
    • Competitive applicants aim higher, especially in science prerequisites
  • Application materials often include: transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, sometimes an interview
  • What helps most: clear motivation for nursing + aligned experiences (volunteering/work in healthcare)
  • Career context included in the guide: strong demand, and higher earning potential with specialty/advanced degrees (salary examples included for RN/NP/CRNA)

What Are the Best Nursing Scholarships and Grants?

  • The guide lists 20+ scholarships/grants across categories (undergrad, graduate, non-traditional, specialty, minority-serving orgs)
  • Award sizes range from ~$500–$2,000 (examples in the guide include AAPINA $500, A Nurse I Am $2,000, Cascade $1,000)
  • Mid-sized funding examples include ~$5,000–$10,000 (ENA scholarships up to $10,000; March of Dimes graduate scholarships at $5,000)
  • Larger options highlighted:
    • FNSNA distributes $300,000+ annually (varied amounts, noted as up to $50,000)
    • NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: can cover full tuition + fees + monthly stipend, with a 2-year service commitment in a critical-need facility
  • Best practices: start early (3+ months), track deadlines carefully, revise multiple times
  • Watch eligibility requirements like: membership, GPA minimums, residency, service commitments
  • Takeaway: stacking smaller awards + targeting a few larger ones can reduce reliance on loans

How To Get Into Nursing School With a Low GPA?

  • A low GPA doesn’t block you, but you need a more strategic plan
  • Guide’s framing:
    • Many BSN programs look for ~2.5–3.0 minimum
    • Competitive programs may expect 3.8+
    • Some pathways may consider down to ~2.0 (more often ADN/less competitive options)
  • Recommended approach:
    • Raise grades where possible (and retake prerequisites if needed)
    • Apply to programs with realistic thresholds
    • Strengthen everything else: personal statement, recommendations, evidence you can handle clinical work
  • Alternate entry routes that build momentum: CNA (4–12 weeks), LPN (~12–18 months), caregiver credential (~75 hours to several months)
  • Consider a gap year for healthcare work/volunteering + rebuilding academic record at community college
  • Takeaway: lower GPA narrows options, but doesn’t close the door

What Are the Best Nursing Schools?

  • “Best” varies by: goals (speed/price/location/program type), selectivity, admissions metrics, and budget
  • The guide highlights 11 schools including: Duke, UPenn, Emory, UNC–Chapel Hill, Michigan–Ann Arbor, Washington, Boston College, Case Western, Iowa, Ohio State, and UAB
  • Selectivity examples from the guide: UPenn (~4.6% acceptance) and Duke (~6.3%) with very high reported stats (e.g., ~3.9 GPA and SAT/ACT ranges cited)
  • More accessible public options listed: University of Iowa (~86% acceptance) and UAB (~87%)
  • Cost range example from the guide: UNC–Chapel Hill in-state (~$7,019/year) vs out-of-state (~$37,360/year); Case Western (~$64,100/year)
  • Takeaway: build a balanced list (reach/match/value) based on stats + fit + cost + pathway

How To Become a Home Health Nurse?

  • Home health nursing focuses on 1:1 care in patients’ homes with more autonomy and relationship-building
  • Typical route: earn LPN/ADN/BSN → pass NCLEX → build experience (often ~2 years preferred) → move into home health
  • Why experience matters: you’re often the only clinician on-site
  • Timeline estimate in the guide: ~3 years (LPN + experience) to ~6+ years (BSN + experience)
  • Pay reference used: RN ~$81,220/year (contextual benchmark)
  • Optional competitiveness boosters: OASIS-focused training/certification; gerontology or hospice/palliative credentials

How To Become a Telehealth Nurse?

  • Telehealth nursing is an RN specialty (phone/video/app-based) requiring strong clinical judgment
  • Typical path: ADN (~2 years) or BSN (~4 years) → NCLEX-RN → ~1–4 years bedside experience → telehealth roles
  • Overall timeline estimate: ~3–8 years (degree + experience)
  • Common responsibilities: triage, symptom checks, med/refill questions, lab follow-ups, scheduling, patient education
  • The guide notes: no telehealth-only certification, but Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification can help (often requires 2 years RN, 2,000 hours, 30 CE hours)
  • Pay cited: ~ $86,070/year, with demand tied to broader RN growth

How To Prepare for the GRE When Getting Into Nursing School?

  • GRE is still used by some MSN/DNP programs, especially to compare applicants across backgrounds
  • Many programs waive it based on GPA or relevant work experience - check each school’s policy
  • Benchmarks as framed in the guide:
    • Competitive (50th–75th percentile): Verbal 150–160, Quant 150–160, Writing ~4.0+
    • Top-tier: Verbal 163–170, Quant 165–170, Writing 5–6
    • Below-average flags: Verbal <151, Quant <152, Writing <3.5
  • Overall averages cited: Verbal 150.37, Quant 153.66, Writing 3.6
  • Prep strategy: start 2–3 months out, diagnose weak areas early, do timed practice
  • High-ROI tactics: time management, elimination strategies, vocab/reading approach, math fundamentals + accuracy checks, repeatable writing template

How To Become a CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist)?

  • CRNA is a high-responsibility path (anesthesia + patient stability during procedures) requiring years of training
  • Typical route:
    • BSN (~4 years)
    • NCLEX-RN
    • ICU/critical-care experience (minimum ~1 year; often ~2–3 years)
    • Nurse anesthesia program (~24–36 months)
    • NBCRNA board exam
  • Total timeline estimate: ~7–9 years
  • Core responsibilities include: patient assessment, anesthesia planning/admin, airway support, vitals monitoring, recovery oversight
  • Work settings include: hospitals, surgery centers, pain clinics, dental offices, rural facilities
  • Pay/outlook cited in the guide: ~$205,770/year on average, with continued demand noted

What Are the Top 20 Least Stressful Nursing Jobs?

  • “Low stress” roles usually mean: lower acuity + more predictable schedules + fewer emergencies + fewer simultaneous patients
  • Roles highlighted include: school nursing, public health, home health, hospice, nurse educator, occupational health, case management, research, informatics, leadership/admin
  • Some higher-paid options may still appear (informatics/admin/NP/CNM/CRNA) but often require more training/responsibility
  • What makes nursing stressful (per the guide): high patient loads, constant urgency, understaffing, long/overnight shifts, emotional intensity, difficult interactions
  • Takeaway: least stressful roles reduce multiple stress drivers at once - especially unpredictability and acute crises

What Are the Top 5 Pre-Nursing Internships?

  • Benefits: hands-on exposure, confirmation of fit, stronger applications
  • Typical duration: ~8–12 weeks (often summer), paid or volunteer
  • Examples listed:
    • AACN Government Affairs & Policy Internship: non-clinical; ~6 weeks; ~20 hrs/week; multiple sessions
    • Rochester Regional Health ASN/BSN Excel Internship (Rochester, NY): paid; ~10 weeks; full- or part-time; patient-care tech + weekly education
    • Sentara Student Nurse Internship Program (Norfolk, VA): paid; hospital-based; supervised patient care + admissions/discharge exposure
    • Northwest Medical Center Student Nursing Internship (Tucson, AZ): paid; ~8 weeks; ~36 hrs/week; rotating departments (ER/ICU); possible stipend/scholarship
    • International Medical Aid (IMA): international; 2–6 weeks; volunteer/fee-based; mentorship + cultural immersion

What Are the Nursing School GPA Requirements?

  • GPA is a key academic signal, but targets depend on program type and competitiveness
  • Typical benchmarks as framed:
    • ADN: often more flexible; target ~2.75+
    • BSN: typically more competitive; many list ~3.0+ minimum (aim higher for strong programs)
    • CNA/LPN pathways: often lower thresholds (sometimes no strict minimum); ~2.5+ is a common benchmark
  • Some programs weigh science/math GPA separately (often ~3.0 when listed)
  • Takeaway: minimums are the floor - competition can still be intense

What Are the Common Nursing School Interview Questions?

  • Interviews are usually predictable: programs want proof you understand nursing, can handle pressure, work well with others, and think ethically
  • Question buckets:
    • General/fit: tell me about yourself, why nursing, why this program, strengths/weaknesses, what if you’re not accepted
    • Experience/behavior: teamwork, conflict, helping someone who refused help, shaken confidence, managing stress
    • Critical thinking/scenarios: why you, biggest local healthcare issue, essential nurse trait, ethical/judgment prompts
    • Policy/ethics: vaccines, confidentiality, policy vs patient best interest, staying current on policy changes
  • Quick interview FAQs:
    • “Tell me about yourself”: path → key experiences → why nursing now
    • “Why nursing”: one moment → what you learned → what kind of nurse you want to be
    • Questions to ask at the end: clinical placements, student support, how success is measured, what top students do differently

Receive actionable feedback on how to improve your chances of getting accepted with Inspira Advantage.

Schedule a Free Evaluation

Our Admissions Experts Are From

Some of Our Top Admissions Experts

Admissions Experts who have contributed to this guide and can help you get into the top schools in the US
Dr. Matthew R.
Dr. Matthew R.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Director of Advising
Dr. Rabinowitz is a urology resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania. As a Lester Persky, MD Urologic Research Scholar at Johns Hopkins, he engaged in extensive clinical investigation, graduating with 30+ publications. Dr. Rabinowitz has over seven years of mentoring and admissions experience, including serving on the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine admissions committee as a voting member and interviewer, personally trained by the admissions dean.
View Profile
Dr. Sukarn C.
Dr. Sukarn C.
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Director of Advising
Dr. Chokkara is an anesthesiology resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. He earned his MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and his BA in molecular and cellular biology from Vanderbilt University, graduating with honors. He served as a UChicago Pritzker School of Medicine interviewer for three years, gaining valuable admissions insights and extensive coaching experience.
View Profile
Dr. Daniel G.
Dr. Daniel G.
Harvard Medical School
Director of Advising
Dr. Gabriel is a medical school admissions coach who graduated from Harvard Medical School, where he also served on the admissions committee. With seven years of coaching experience, Dr. Gabriel has helped countless students gain acceptance to top med schools, including Harvard, Yale, Washington University in St. Louis, Emory, and Stanford.
View Profile
Dr. Matthew R.
Dr. Matthew R.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Director of Advising
Dr. Rabinowitz is a urology resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania. As a Lester Persky, MD Urologic Research Scholar at Johns Hopkins, he engaged in extensive clinical investigation, graduating with 30+ publications. Dr. Rabinowitz has over seven years of mentoring and admissions experience, including serving on the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine admissions committee as a voting member and interviewer, personally trained by the admissions dean.
View Profile
Dr. Sukarn C.
Dr. Sukarn C.
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Director of Advising
Dr. Chokkara is an anesthesiology resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. He earned his MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and his BA in molecular and cellular biology from Vanderbilt University, graduating with honors. He served as a UChicago Pritzker School of Medicine interviewer for three years, gaining valuable admissions insights and extensive coaching experience.
View Profile
Dr. Daniel G.
Dr. Daniel G.
Harvard Medical School
Director of Advising
Dr. Gabriel is a medical school admissions coach who graduated from Harvard Medical School, where he also served on the admissions committee. With seven years of coaching experience, Dr. Gabriel has helped countless students gain acceptance to top med schools, including Harvard, Yale, Washington University in St. Louis, Emory, and Stanford.
View Profile
Waleed M.
Waleed M.
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Before attending the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Waleed graduated summa cum laude from NJIT with a perfect 4.0 GPA, demonstrating his mastery of challenging coursework. He has 10+ years of tutoring experience and achieved a 100th percentile score of 524 on the MCAT, placing him among the top test-takers nationwide.
View Profile
Tom L.
Tom L.
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Tom graduated from the University of Georgia before attending the Medical College of Georgia as a Harrison Scholar. He worked as a multi-subject STEM peer and lead tutor within his university's Division of Academic Enhancement, guiding over 200 students in three years. After achieving a high score on the MCAT, Tom pivoted to working as an MCAT tutor and helping medical school applicants succeed.
View Profile
Keane B.
Keane B.
University of California, Los Angeles
Keane studied biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, graduating with a GPA of 3.98. He has tutored for over five years and has helped students at UCLA succeed in various courses. Keane is eager to share his knowledge with aspiring medical students, drawing on his own experiences that led him to a top MCAT score.
View Profile
Dr. Matthew R.
Dr. Matthew R.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Director of Advising
Dr. Rabinowitz is a urology resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania. As a Lester Persky, MD Urologic Research Scholar at Johns Hopkins, he engaged in extensive clinical investigation, graduating with 30+ publications. Dr. Rabinowitz has over seven years of mentoring and admissions experience, including serving on the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine admissions committee as a voting member and interviewer, personally trained by the admissions dean.
View Profile
Dr. Sukarn C.
Dr. Sukarn C.
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Director of Advising
Dr. Chokkara is an anesthesiology resident at Massachusetts General Hospital. He earned his MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and his BA in molecular and cellular biology from Vanderbilt University, graduating with honors. He served as a UChicago Pritzker School of Medicine interviewer for three years, gaining valuable admissions insights and extensive coaching experience.
View Profile
Dr. Daniel G.
Dr. Daniel G.
Harvard Medical School
Director of Advising
Dr. Gabriel is a medical school admissions coach who graduated from Harvard Medical School, where he also served on the admissions committee. With seven years of coaching experience, Dr. Gabriel has helped countless students gain acceptance to top med schools, including Harvard, Yale, Washington University in St. Louis, Emory, and Stanford.
View Profile
Lauren
Lauren
Emory University School of Nursing
View Profile
Lauren W.
Lauren W.
Emory University School of Nursing
Lauren, a registered nurse with a BSN from Emory University, brings a diverse background in academic writing, fundraising, and grant writing to her role as an admissions coach. Her passion for healthcare and expertise in community engagement make her an invaluable asset to aspiring nursing students.
View Profile
Morganne S.
Morganne S.
Liberty University School of Nursing
Morganne is an RN with over five years of experience who graduated with a BSN and 4.0 GPA from Liberty University. She began her career in the surgical trauma ICU, serving as a charge nurse and earning a critical care nursing certification. She also lived in rural Zambia as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years, where her passion for public and women’s health grew.
View Profile
Dr. Nadia H.
Dr. Nadia H.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Director of Advising
With over 10 years of experience in mentoring and consulting, Dr. Hossain has guided numerous students through the complex journey of applying to dental school. She served on the Harvard School of Dental Medicine admissions committee, where she reviewed applications, conducted interviews, and influenced candidate selection in weekly meetings.
View Profile
Dr. Joseph B.
Dr. Joseph B.
New York University School of Dentistry
Director of Advising
Dr. Basilice has over 20 years of coaching and admissions experience, including serving on the NYU School of Dentistry admissions committee and the Beekman Downtown Hospital residency selection committee. Dr. Basilice has built two successful dental practices which he continues to operate today as CEO of Cosmopolitan Cosmetic Solutions Corp for over three decades.
View Profile
Dr. Janet O.
Dr. Janet O.
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Director of Advising
Dr. Oyeledun is a board-certified general and cosmetic dentist with over 10 years of admissions and mentorship experience, coaching many pre-dental and dental students. She has helped students gain acceptance to top-tier dental programs, including the University of Maryland, Howard University, Boston University, UCLA, Tufts University, and UPenn. She has served as an admissions committee member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and as an admissions counselor at Penn State.
View Profile
No items found.