Popular Admissions Questions and Answers

Let’s get down to it: do you know what questions to ask during an Admissions interview? Our Admissions team gets bombarded with questions daily and despite their uncanny ability to answer questions quickly, some questions can be answered simply by doing minor research. However, don’t let that discourage you from asking questions when you are given the opportunity. Knowing what to ask is important when considering such a big step as enrolling in nursing school. So, avoid the mistake of assumption and ask those questions. But, please do some research. The answer may already be available to you. Hence why we decided to throw together our most popular Admissions questions and answers. (Don’t forget to check out the bonus article at the end, Tips to Prepare You for Your Admissions Meeting.) 

When asked what the more popular Admissions questions and answers were, our advisors gave us the top questions most often asked and the correct answers.

Popular Admissions (and Financial Aid) Questions and Answers

1. Will my previous college courses transfer over? And what general education credits does Nightingale College require?

This is a great question and made number one on our list of popular Admissions questions. Accepting college credit from another institution is done on a case-by-case basis. Sit down with an Admissions Advisor and request that your transcript be reviewed early in the admissions process to see what courses will transfer. For future reference, transfer credit is only determined by the receiving institution; we can’t guarantee the institution will accept the credits. The same goes for us. At the end of your time with the College and if you pursue higher education at another institution, you will be curious to see if your credits transfer to another school. Unfortunately, we can’t determine that for the institution and you will need to contact the receiving institution for information.

To enroll in our program, we require credits in Human Anatomy (4 semester credits), Human Physiology (4 semester credits), Pathophysiology (3 semester credits), English (3 semester credits), Algebra (3 semester credits), and Social Science (3 semester credits).

To learn more about what is required to enroll in our ADN Program, check out our Program Plan by clicking here. Already an RN who is ready to advance their education? View our Admissions Requirements for the RN-to-BSN Program by clicking here.

2. I haven’t taken any college courses. Do I need to take my general education courses elsewhere and transfer the credits to Nightingale College’s program?

It seems we have a pattern among questions. If you have wondered about GE courses, don’t worry. You are not alone. Making number two on our list is for potential learners who come to the College with no previous college experience. We don’t want you going anywhere else to receive your education, so to help alleviate the stress with choosing a school to attend for GEs then dealing with the hassle of transferring credit, you can complete all your GE requirements with Nightingale College. Visit with an Admissions Advisor to learn more.

3. Is Nightingale’s program completely online? How does that work with labs and clinicals?

Let’s focus first on the ADN Program. No. The program is not completely online. Our ADN Program is a blend of online and on-ground learning experiences. Courses have an online component filled with modules and lectures, discussions, and homework assignments. Once reaching Level I in the program, simulation labs and clinicals become part of the courses, which cannot be completed online. To give each learner real world experience, learners participate in assigned local, on-ground simulation labs supervised by a qualified faculty member. Our labs include high-fidelity mannequins that simulate various illnesses that challenge learners to interact with a patient. Additionally, learners attend local clinicals at health care centers in the community.

Our RN-to-BSN Program is for working RNs looking to further their nursing education and advance their degree level. The program is online and can be completed within your community. Our Capstone Leadership and Community Health Projects fall under the clinical requirements but can be done in your community and at your place of employment. Check out our Capstone Leadership Project by clicking here. Our Capstone Leadership Project is unique in that its employer focused. In other words, you get the opportunity to work alongside your employer to solve a problem within the facility. Are you ready to stand out among your coworkers as a nursing leader? We are ready to help you be prepared.

4. What about financial aid? What do you offer as far as resources?

Landing at number four on our most popular Admissions questions is concerning financial aid. Nightingale College receives Title IV Federal Financial Aid, which allows us to accept financial assistance such as the FAFSA. We know how expensive nursing school is so we accept veteran’s funding, private student loans, and tuition reimbursement among others. Each new learner is required to meet with our Financial Aid Department. During this time, our Financial Aid Advisors will help you navigate federal funding, scholarships, loans, and other financial aid resources. Financial aid is done on an individual basis so take the time to learn the ins and outs of the resources available to you.

For our ADN Program graduates, we offer an Alumni Tuition Waiver that discounts $50 per semester credit when you enroll into our RN-to-BSN Program. Don’t forget to chat with your Financial Aid Advisor about it.

5. What is meant by lab assignments?

Before going too far into the admissions process, your specific lab assignment will be determined. Now, don’t get overwhelmed. The term “lab assignment” is our way of defining the lab which you will attend in your local area for simulation labs. As you already know, a portion of the course is taught online, giving you the ability to complete the ADN Program without the need to move away to attend school. But to gain the necessary skills and hands-on experience needed to become a nurse, simulation labs are critical to your development. Your Admissions Advisor will look at your place of residence and enroll you in a local lab assignment (where the College has been approved to deliver its education) with the goal of keeping you as close to home as possible.

6. Isn’t financial aid free?

This question is better addressed in a video from the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office.

Tips to Prepare You for Your Admissions Meeting

After reading the popular Admissions questions, now it is time to prep you for your Admissions meeting. Being prepared for your Admissions meeting is important, and just like doing your homework prior to the meeting, have questions ready to go, be attentive, and show you are ready to become a nurse.

• Come prepared with questions and comments. While doing your research to learn more about the program of interest, keep a piece of paper nearby to jot down questions and comments. Having a little reminder such as quick notes can help meeting with an Admissions Advisor more effective and efficient. As you continue to research more, you may find the answer yourself and can scratch the question off of your list.
• Dress professionally/appropriately. Although your first meeting with an Admissions Advisor may not be your official nursing school interview, it is important to dress appropriately. Show that you are taking the decision to enroll in nursing school seriously and part of that commitment is dressing the part. Skip the jeans and leave the sneakers and tank tops at home. Opt for a nice pair of pants, dress shoes (ladies, flats or heels, the choice is yours), and a nice top.
• Don’t bring your whole family. It is nice to see that you cherish your family. However, bringing additional people, whether family or friends, to your Admissions meeting can be distracting for both you and the Admissions Advisor. Ease your stress of placating those around you by peeling away from your family and friends for an hour to two to meet with the Admissions Advisor.
• Don’t fabricate your answers. The main goal of the Admissions meeting is to allow the Admissions Advisor to assess what is needed for you to enroll. Admissions Advisors need answers to specific questions about your educational history. Don’t steal time away by telling a falsehood to any question. Be open and honest during your Admissions meeting. If you are unsure of how to answer a question, it is okay to ask the Advisor to clarify or simply say “I don’t know.” Although, if you do say “I don’t know,” follow up by asking how you can find the answer or how you plan to reconnect with the Advisor once you find the answer.
• Understand the deadlines involved. There are definite deadlines that need to be met when going through the Admissions process. The Advisor will explain the process step by step during your meeting. This is no time to slack off. To help you remember deadlines, ask for a printout of the deadlines, write them down on a paper (because you are prepared and brought some additional paper and pen), or schedule them in your phone. It is easy to overlook the deadlines once the Admissions meeting is over. But you are committed to enrolling in a nursing program, so we are sure you won’t forget. As a heads up, make your’s and your Advisor’s job a bit simpler by being on top of deadlines.
• Be responsible for your success. The Admissions process can be lengthy. Knowing your deadlines is just as important as being responsible for staying in contact with your Admissions Advisor. Your advisor is there to help you along the enrollment process and will try hard to remind you of your deadlines and materials need. However, it is up to you to stay in contact with your advisor. When questions come up after the Admissions meeting, pick up the phone and give your Admissions Advisor a call. We want you to get all of the required information in as soon as possible, so you can start preparing for the first semester.
• Prepare your answers to two questions. You will be asked several questions to allow the Admissions Advisor to get to know you and your motivation for enrolling in the program. Part of an Admissions Advisor’s job is to gauge the interest level of any potential learner and to determine whether the individual possesses the skills and determination to be successful in nursing school. As you have already understood, nursing school is challenging and it is the role of the Admissions Advisor to assess the potential learner. No matter how many questions you will be asked, you will be asked two straight forward questions that having a prepared answer for or at least an idea will help: 1) why are you interested in enrolling in our nursing program and 2) why are you interested in being a nurse. Take some time to dive in deep to the reasons why you chose the school and the profession.

We are excited to see your interest in becoming a nurse and are privileged to know that you have taken significant interest in our nursing programs. Our Admissions Advisors are your advocates throughout the enrollment process and are specialists in the Admissions process. Come to your Admissions meeting excited and with an optimistic attitude to learn more about the program. If you have additional questions or concerns after meeting with your Admissions Advisor, don’t hesitate to send a quick email or jump on the phone for a few minutes.  Our number one goal when you come to Admissions is to ensure you are fully aware of what is required and needed to enroll and be successful in the nursing program.