Research and Compare Nursing Programs

10 Step Guide for Students

Taking the time to complete this process can help you avoid delays, unexpected coursework, and missed application opportunities - setting you up for success as you develop your alternate plan.

Step 1: Identify the Nursing Program & Key Contacts

Begin by identifying nursing programs that align with your career goals. If you are searching within Minnesota, start by reviewing the Approved Professional Nursing Programs listed by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. This ensures the program meets state requirements for RN licensure.

Once you identify a program of interest, start by reviewing the program’s official website to gather both basic program details and contact information for follow-up questions.

Program Information to Identify

• College or University Name
• Campus Location
• (Main campus, satellite campus, or hybrid/online)
• Program or Degree Type
• Diploma Program
• Associate Degree
• Baccalaureate Degree
• Accelerated Program
• Entry-Level Master's Program
• Program Accreditation
• CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
• ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing)

Identify the Correct Contact

You will need to communicate directly with the institution to confirm admission and transfer details. Identify who to contact with questions about:

• Nursing program admission requirements.
• Transfer coursework and prerequisites.
• Course substitutions or exceptions.
• Application policies.
• Competitiveness as an applicant.

Tip:

Look for one of the following roles on the program website: Nursing Program Advisor or Coordinator, Nursing Program Admission’s Contact, Transfer Evaluation Specialist, or Undergraduate Admissions Office and keep copies of all email.

Step 2: Review Costs and Financial Aid

Investigate the financial commitment of the program.

• Tuition cost per credit
• Estimated total program cost
• Available scholarships

Why this matters:

Nursing programs often have additional fees (labs, uniforms, exams, clinical requirements).

Step 3: Understand Application Deadlines & Criteria

Every program has specific timelines and requirements for you to identify and record.

• Application deadlines
• Application criteria may include:
• GPA requirements
• Science GPA requirements
• SAT or ACT scores
• English Language Proficiency
• Required prerequisite grades
• Entrance exams
• Experience & Attributes
• Certifications

Step 4: Evaluate Prerequisite Courses and Confirm Transferability

Carefully review the prerequisite coursework required for admission. Do not assume courses will automatically transfer to fulfill the intended requirements.

Tool to Use: Transferology

Transferology.com is an online tool that helps students explore how their completed or planned coursework may transfer to other colleges or universities. It allows you to compare how credits apply toward specific majors or degree requirements. Not all colleges or courses are listed.

How to Use Transferology

1. Go to  transferology.com and create a free account.
2. Select "Will My Courses Transfer?"
3. Enter Your Course Information:
   • Choose:
     • Your School(s)
     • Term taken
     • Department (e.g., BIOL, CHEM, ENG, PSYC)
     • Course number
   • Enter each course you want evaluated
4. Add Courses to “My Courses”
   • Add all relevant completed or planned coursework to your list.
5. Search for Matches
   • Search for the college or university you are interested in.
   • Review how your courses may transfer.

Required Actions: Confirming Course Transfer & Evaluation

To receive an official transfer credit evaluation, students generally must apply for admission to the college or university. However, some institutions and nursing programs can provide unofficial transfer evaluations, before formal admission. To determine whether this option is available, follow the steps below.

1. Email the Nursing Program or Undergraduate Admissions Office
   • Use the contact information listed on the program’s website.
   • Clearly state that you are exploring eligibility and transferability.
2. Attach Unofficial Transcripts
   • Include transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, including any National Exam scores (e.g., AP, IB or CLEP).
   • Ensure transcripts are readable and up to date.
3. Ask How Each Course Will Be Accepted
   • Request clarification on:
     • Direct equivalencies for prerequisites.
     • Courses that may not be accepted.

4. Ask Whether Course Substitutions Are Allowed
   • Some programs may allow substitutions for prerequisites.
5. Confirm Responses in Writing
   • Request confirmation via email.
   • Save all correspondence for your records.

Best practice:

Use Transferology as a starting point. Always verify transfer decisions directly with the receiving institution.

Step 5: Identify Remaining Prerequisites

Next, you will need to determine the following:

• Which prerequisites are still needed.
• Whether these prerequisites can be taken at your current institution - verify with receiving institution.
• Whether timing aligns with the application cycle.

Step 6: Check Special Academic Policies

Every nursing program has academic policies that may affect eligibility such as:

• Course expiration limits
• Example: Science courses must be completed within the last 5–10 years.
• Course repeat limits
• Example: How many times can a course be repeated and what letter grade(s) are used?

Important:

These policies can disqualify applicants even if GPA requirements are met.

Step 7: Understand the Application Process

Some nursing programs require more than an online application. Possible requirements include:

• Information sessions (mandatory or optional)
• Entrance exams
• Interviews
• Resume submission
• Letters of reference
• Essays or personal statements
• Shadowing experiences
• Volunteer hours
• Direct patient care experience

Step 8: Learn How Admission Decisions Are Made

• How students are selected (e.g., points system, holistic review, GPA ranking).
• Whether experiences or essays influence admission.
• How prerequisite GPA vs. cumulative GPA is weighted.

Step 9: Learn What Makes Applicants Competitive

Understanding how competitive a nursing program is will help you realistically assess your chances of admission and determine whether changes to your academic or experiential profile are needed.

• Number of applicants per admission cycle
  • Helps you understand overall demand for the program.
• Number of students admitted per cycle
  • Gives insight into acceptance rates and seat availability.

Admitted Student Profile

Many nursing programs share information about the typical or average admitted student. Look for details such as:

• Average cumulative GPA.
• Average prerequisite GPA.
• Entrance exam scores if required.
• Prior healthcare experience, such as:
• CNA, MA, EMT, LPN roles
• Volunteer or shadowing experiences
• Direct patient care hours

Tip:

Not all programs publish this data. If it is not listed online, ask the nursing program directly.

Step 10: Evaluate Your Competitiveness

Ask yourself:

• Am I currently competitive for this program?
• If not, is there anything I can do to improve?

Examples of improvement strategies:

• Retaking key courses (if allowed).
• Gaining direct patient care experience.
• Strengthening essays or personal statements.

Final Reminder

Nursing programs are competitive, and policies vary widely. Always verify information directly with the program and keep written confirmation of transfer and admission decisions.