With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has faced devastating human crises with severe health and socio-economic consequences. During such challenging times, and even as we step into the post-covid times, the world is realizing the importance of global healthcare workers, particularly nurses.
While it can seem like a challenging time to pursue your career in nursing, we strongly encourage you not to give up. If you’re interested in a nursing career and aren’t sure where to start with courses, this article can help. Keep reading to know more.
Grade Requirements for Nursing Courses
Before joining any university to pursue a nursing course, you have to consider your grades. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the institution, however, there are a few common standards across all medical schools. They are as follows:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN (NLN), ACICS, or CCNE accredited program.
- Current RN license in U.S. state/territory or locale where student will complete clinical requirements.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher in the undergraduate degree.
- A pre-admission interview. If the applicant stays outside the country, a telephone interview may be conducted.
- Pre-requisite statistics course within the last 10 years with a grade of B- or better
Documentation You Need
Based on the above criteria, you can determine whether you are eligible to join the nursing course or not. This may differ depending upon the school or college you are aiming for.
After assessing your eligibility and determining you can pursue a nursing course, you need to be prepared with the following documents:
- Official records (grade list)
- GPA (grade point average)
- CV demonstrating relevant nursing experience
- Recommendation letters from previous instructors or employers
- A statement of purpose
- Proof of paying the application cost (if there is one)
What Qualifications Should International Students Have?
However, if you are an international student, one thing to be kept in mind is that you are expected to possess excellent English language abilities. Before beginning a nursing course, prospective students who do not speak English as their first language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Furthermore, advanced English examinations, such as the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE), may be required if you intend to practice nursing in America. For these tests, the following are the minimum scores required:
- IELTS: a score of 6.5 to 7 or above, with a minimum of 6.5 in writing and a minimum of 7 in reading, listening, and speaking.
- TOEFL iBT: a score of 75 to 90 or higher is required, with various minimum scores for each component.
- PTE Academic: a score of 44 to 61 or above is required.
