20 Questions

Questions to Ask Nursing School Admissions

Strategic questions that help you understand nursing program requirements, admissions process, and career preparation while demonstrating your commitment to the nursing profession.

1

What are the specific prerequisites for admission to your nursing program?

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Why this works

Establishes the basic requirements and helps you understand what academic preparation is needed, showing you're serious about meeting the program's standards.

2

What's the application process like and what documents do I need to submit?

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Why this works

Reveals the practical steps for applying and helps you understand the timeline and requirements for submitting your application materials.

3

What's your program's NCLEX pass rate and how do you prepare students for the exam?

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Why this works

Shows their program's success in preparing students for licensure and reveals their approach to ensuring students are ready for the nursing profession.

4

What clinical experiences are available and how are clinical placements arranged?

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Why this works

Reveals the hands-on learning opportunities and shows how they provide real-world nursing experience in different healthcare settings.

5

What support services are available for nursing students and how do you help with academic success?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to student success and reveals what resources are available for academic support, tutoring, and student wellbeing.

6

What's the faculty-to-student ratio and what are the qualifications of your nursing faculty?

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Why this works

Reveals the quality of instruction and shows how much individual attention and mentorship students can expect from experienced nursing professionals.

7

What technology and simulation resources are available for nursing education?

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Why this works

Shows their investment in modern nursing education and reveals what hands-on learning tools and technology students will have access to.

8

What are the program's accreditation status and how does it affect my future career opportunities?

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Why this works

Reveals the program's quality and recognition, showing how accreditation affects your ability to practice nursing and pursue advanced degrees.

9

What financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available for nursing students?

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Why this works

Shows the financial support available and helps you understand the cost of education and what assistance is available for nursing students.

10

What's the program's approach to different nursing specialties and how do you help students explore career paths?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to career development and shows how they help students explore different nursing specialties and career opportunities.

11

What research opportunities are available for nursing students and how do you encourage scholarly work?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to evidence-based practice and reveals opportunities for students interested in nursing research and scholarly work.

12

What's the program's approach to diversity and inclusion, and how do you support students from different backgrounds?

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Why this works

Reveals their commitment to diversity and shows how they create an inclusive environment that supports students from all backgrounds.

13

What professional development opportunities are available and how do you prepare students for leadership roles?

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Why this works

Shows their approach to career advancement and reveals how they prepare students for leadership roles and professional development in nursing.

14

What's the program's approach to different learning styles and how do you accommodate different student needs?

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Why this works

Reveals their commitment to inclusive education and shows how they support students with different learning styles and needs.

15

What partnerships do you have with healthcare facilities and how do they benefit nursing students?

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Why this works

Shows their connections to the healthcare community and reveals how partnerships provide students with valuable learning opportunities.

16

What's the program's approach to different nursing theories and how do you integrate them into practice?

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Why this works

Reveals their educational philosophy and shows how they integrate nursing theory with practical application in clinical settings.

17

What support is available for students who want to pursue advanced degrees in nursing?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to lifelong learning and reveals how they support students interested in pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing.

18

What's the program's approach to different healthcare settings and how do you prepare students for various work environments?

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Why this works

Reveals their comprehensive approach to nursing education and shows how they prepare students for diverse healthcare settings and roles.

19

What resources are available for students interested in different nursing specialties and how do you help with career planning?

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Why this works

Shows their approach to career guidance and reveals how they help students explore and prepare for different nursing specialties and career paths.

20

What's the program's approach to different nursing challenges and how do you prepare students for the realities of nursing practice?

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Why this works

Shows their realistic approach to nursing education and reveals how they prepare students for the challenges and rewards of nursing practice.

Best Practices for Nursing School Admissions Conversations

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Genuine Interest in Nursing Education

Admissions staff appreciate when you demonstrate understanding of nursing education and show interest in their program's approach to preparing future nurses.

Focus on Both Academic and Practical Aspects

Balance questions about academic requirements with questions about clinical experiences and practical preparation. This shows you understand the full scope of nursing education.

Ask About Career Preparation and Support

Show interest in how the program prepares students for nursing careers and what support is available for career development and professional growth.

Question Sequences

The Requirements and Process Sequence

1
What are the specific prerequisites for admission to your nursing program?
2
What's the application process like and what documents do I need to submit?
3
What's your program's NCLEX pass rate and how do you prepare students for the exam?

The Clinical and Practical Flow

1
What clinical experiences are available and how are clinical placements arranged?
2
What technology and simulation resources are available for nursing education?
3
What partnerships do you have with healthcare facilities and how do they benefit nursing students?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Focus Only on Admission Requirements

While requirements are important, don't make it all about getting in. Show interest in the educational experience and career preparation the program offers.

Avoid Overly General Questions

Ask specific questions about the program rather than generic questions that could apply to any nursing school. This shows you've done your research.

Don't Ignore the Practical Aspects

Nursing education is about both theory and practice. Make sure to ask about clinical experiences, hands-on learning, and practical preparation for nursing practice.

Conversation Templates

The Requirements and Process Flow

1
Step 1: Start with: "What are the specific prerequisites for admission to your nursing program?"
2
Step 2: Continue with: "What's the application process like and what documents do I need to submit?"
3
Step 3: Finish with: "What's your program's NCLEX pass rate and how do you prepare students for the exam?"

The Clinical and Practical Sequence

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What clinical experiences are available and how are clinical placements arranged?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What technology and simulation resources are available for nursing education?"
3
Step 3: End with: "What partnerships do you have with healthcare facilities and how do they benefit nursing students?"

Further Reading

"Nursing School Success" by Marianne Neighbors
"The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into Nursing School" by Patricia S. Yoder-Wise
"Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring" by Jean Watson

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