Is Now a Good Time to Enroll in Nursing School?

More People Want to Become Nurses

Is it Getting Harder to Get into Nursing School?

• As always, the answer depends upon which nursing school you are targeting. In general, there are more people applying to RN training programs than able to accept them. Prestigious private universities are more likely to be extremely selective about accepting students for admission.
• However, state and local universities are more likely to accept in-state applicants into their nursing programs, as opposed to out-of-state applicants.
• You may be surprised to realize that 80,407 qualified applicants to nursing school were turned away in 2019 due to a lack of room for them at their targeted higher education institution. In general, educational institutions want to accept qualified applicants – especially those institutions that have established online programs and locally-based student body. However, one of the major obstacles to increased nursing school enrollment is the lack of qualified instructors. There is just not enough faculty for all the potential students.
• New programs have sprung up to accommodate the demand for nursing degrees. Some are reputable and some are less-so. We advise you to beware of programs offering dubious tuition financing and little-to-no enrollment requirements. You’ll want to check out the school’s accreditation status, its graduation rates, and NCLEX pass rates. Student ratings and outside review services are important as well.

Nursing School Tuition Costs – Are they Increasing?

• The cost of attending post-secondary schools has been progressively increasing, and this includes the cost of nursing programs. Generally, total nursing school tuition costs can range from $7,200 (for an Associate Degree [AS]) to more than $100,000 for an MS or Ph.D. degree. State two-year community colleges tend to cost far less than either state four-year colleges or private colleges. You may be able to reduce your total tuition costs by attending a two-year RN program, and then transferring to a four-year program to obtain a BS in Nursing.
• You’ll want to carefully consider whether or not you will be able to pay off any student loan debt, although it is generally true that, depending on your other financial obligations, a nursing salary should allow you to pay down a student loan.
• Many RNs who are already a year or two into their nursing journey find that the higher pay associated with travel nursing allows them to pay down their debt even faster, at the same time that they are building their careers in new and different clinical settings.

Graduation Rates and Nursing School Attendance

• The overall drop-out rate for nursing students is around 20%. Most attrition occurs in the first semester of the nursing program. Prior to submitting an application to a nursing program (or any other health profession), it is important to determine if you really are interested in this field. The desire to help other people may be what drove you to apply to nursing school, but it is equally crucial to understand if nursing is something that you actually want to do.
• If you’re not 100% sure about a full-on RN program, you may want to try volunteering, or a CNA program, first. Students who have worked in the nursing field – including those with prior nurse’s aide employment – are more likely to complete a four-year nursing degree than students without any past experience providing nursing care to patients.
• Nursing school is NOT easy, but it is oh-so-rewarding. You will make friends for life as you study for exams, go through clinicals and preceptorships, and begin working with patients.

Will You Have a Job after You Graduate?

• The demand for nurses is so high that once you graduate, pass the NCLEX, and get your nursing license, you are very likely to get hired.
• Many nurses begin their careers with the intention of working in a hospital, which may take a bit more job-seeking than what is required in other healthcare settings. This is simply because the work in hospitals is so demanding --and the pace is so quick-- that a very high skill level is expected, even of recent grads. If your heart is set on acute care, you may want to look for a facility that has a good program for integrating and training new nurses. Or you may want to start in a specialty or location that was not your first choice, but always keep that target position in mind as you gain experience and certifications.

You Graduated and Want to be a Travel Nurse. When Can You Start to Travel?

• Travel nursing is an enticing option for many new nursing school graduates. After you graduate you can start working toward that goal. Virtually all travel nurse employers will require at least a year of experience in a setting similar to the positions they have on offer. If you want to work in a hospital (which is where most of the travel assignments are), that means at least one year of hospital experience before you can start traveling.
• Traveling lets you “try before you buy” so to speak. You can work in different clinical settings, with different systems and practices. You can find out what kind of environment you prefer. All the while you’re exploring new locations, meeting new people, networking, and building relationships that are priceless. The more you travel, the more desirable a candidate you become. This means your resume looks even better to future employers, whether they are hiring for permanent or travel positions.

So, Is This Still a Good Time to Go to Nursing School?

• Yes! Respect for, and interest in, the profession is up and - fingers crossed - so is pay. Demand for nurses continues to grow. Nursing is a career that can sustain you well into the future.
• Be prepared for increased selectivity from some nursing schools. Demand is high, and the number of seats at many programs is limited. Beware of high-pressure sales tactics. Be sure this is what you really want to do. It’s a big personal and financial commitment, but eventually, the right program will present itself.