How to Get into Nursing School?

Nursing is an in-demand profession that offers a higher than average entry-level salary and a rewarding career path centered around helping others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses and other health care professionals were critical front-line workers who paired empathy with knowledge and professional care to save lives.

Yet, a March 2022 study conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) indicates that 28 percent of nursing facilities reported at least one staffing shortage [1]. This staffing shortage highlights the growing need for nurses, which is reflected in their above-average salaries: the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median pay for registered nurses (RN) was $77,600 in 2021 [2].

In this article, you’ll learn how to start out on this exciting career path with a step-by-step guide designed to help you get into nursing school. Here, you’ll learn about entry requirements, different nursing programs, applying for school, and find a breakdown of different ways to pay for all of it. As with any new career, knowledge is everything.