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How to Apply to Nursing School in 5 Steps

The field of nursing is one that is both incredibly rewarding and exciting! And with so many career options after becoming certified, it’s easy to see why jobs in the healthcare field are always in demand.

But the first step is applying to nursing school. Goodwin College offers an incredible nursing program where many students excel and move on to rewarding and successful careers. Where do you start? Below we break down how to apply to nursing school, in 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Get Familiar

Before diving into the application process, it’s important to know all of the options. Goodwin College has a few different degree programs available to prospective nurses. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program will prepare students with the skills and experience needed to begin working in the nursing field. An associate level degree is the standard requirement for Registered Nurses. If you have not yet started your nursing education, applying to an accredited ADN program will be your first step.

For those who want to advance their nursing skills and education beyond an associate degree, there’s also the RN-to-BSN Program, which will grant you a Bachelor’s Degree and qualify you for an array of high-paying nursing careers. There’s also the MSN program – a Master’s Degree – for those looking to reach the next level with a leadership or managerial role in nursing. Learn more about the nursing degrees available at Goodwin College by calling 800-889-3282 or visiting the Goodwin website.

Step 2: Apply to College

Once you’ve selected the program in which you’d like to enroll, be sure to complete your application for admission into the college of your choice. The programs at Goodwin College are flexible, to help accommodate other obligations. Aspiring nursing students must first meet the requirements for general admission and be accepted into Goodwin College before applying to our nursing school.

Step 3: Get Those Prerequisites Done

Only students admitted to the program may enroll in nursing courses. So to do that, you need to be sure you’ve laid down the groundwork and completed those prerequisite courses. At Goodwin College, those nursing school pre-requisites include:

  • MATH 125 or higher – or score into a college level math on the college placement test
  • CHEM101 or equivalent
  • BIO120 or BIO 121 or equivalent with a laboratory component is the prerequisite for BIO 211

Be sure to complete these courses with a C or higher grade. The following courses must also be completed, with a C+ or higher.

  • Biology – BIO211, Anatomy & Physiology I, or equivalent completed within the last five years
  • BIO212 Anatomy & Physiology II or equivalent completed within the last five years

And remember: Any prerequisite courses transferred from another college must be equivalent to Goodwin College courses and must meet the grade requirement of C+.

Prospective students are also strongly encouraged to complete Microbiology (with a C+ or better) before starting the nursing program. Microbiology needs to be completed by the end of NUR 110 in order for students to move on to NUR 200.

Prospective nursing students must hold a GPA of 2.7 or better in their most recent college course work. The college GPA ranking is based on a minimum of 12 completed credits at Goodwin College.

Step 4: Apply to the Nursing Program

Once you’ve gotten your preliminary educational requirements out of the way, you’ll be ready to apply to nursing school. Goodwin College accepts nursing applications three times per year, and there are never any wait lists for nursing enrollment. That means less waiting to land your dream career.

Please note that, for transfer students, Goodwin’s nursing college requires official transcripts with your application, if there are any courses or credits that will need to be transferred in to meet the prerequisite requirements.

Step 5: Take the TEAS Exam

This test is part of the pre-admission process into Goodwin’s nursing program. It’s offered three times a year – in January, May, and September. The cost of the exam falls on the student. So be prepared for that fee. You may only register for the TEAS Exam when submitting an application or deactivating one already on file. You may take this exam as many times as you wish. So don’t fret if you fail the first time!

Students must be enrolled in A&P II to register for the TEAS pre-entrance exam at Goodwin College.

Bonus Step: Get Excited!

If you’ve reached this step in the process, you’re well on your way to starting your new career as a nurse! Be excited! You’re about to embark on an incredible journey with a bright and rewarding future.

If you would like to speak with a Goodwin College staff member, learn how to apply to nursing school, or inquire about one of our many nursing degree programs, please do not hesitate to reach out. Call us at 800-889-3282 or request more information online.