Nursing is one of the most rewarding and secure careers you can pursue. With high demand and meaningful opportunities in every healthcare setting, nursing attracts exceptional individuals who want to make a difference (like you!). But before you can don those scrubs and step into your calling as a nurse, you first have to get through nursing school.

Nursing school is required to obtain a license and practice as a nurse. However, admissions can be competitive. After all, nursing is one of the most in-demand fields out there—and most schools have limited seats available. If you’re passionate about this profession, it’s important to ensure your nursing application stands out.

But how? What do nursing schools look for in applicants?

Knowing what schools want can give you a major advantage when handing over—or more likely, clicking submit on—your application. And as a recognized nursing school in Connecticut, we have the inside scoop. Let’s explore some of the top criteria that nursing schools seek in applicants, as well as what might give you bonus points in the admissions process.

What are nursing schools looking for in applicants?

What do nursing schools look for in applicants? Turns out, it’s more than just students who can pass their classes. Nursing schools are looking for caring candidates who are ready for the challenges of the profession. They’ll evaluate everything from your grades to your dedication, experience, and goals.

Your job? Show them who you are and why you deserve one of their limited spots.

Here are some of the top qualities that nursing schools seek in applicants:

1. A passion for nursing

This sounds obvious, but passion is something you can’t fake. Nursing schools know that nursing is demanding in every sense. You’ll study and work long hours, be on your feet for 12-hour shifts, and face situations that are physically and emotionally draining.

So, if you have a true passion for helping others, let it shine in your application. Your application is the time to show that you deserve one of those limited spots. One of the best ways to do this is by sharing your personal connection to the nursing field.

• Did a nurse make a lasting impression on you or a loved one?
• Did volunteer work in a hospital inspire your career choice?
• Have you worked as a caretaker for a family member?

Tell those stories in your personal statement, in your interviews, and anywhere else you can. Nursing schools want to see that your interest in Nursing runs deeper than “it’s a good career” or “The pay is good”. They want to know that it’s personal to you.

2. A strong skillset

Nursing requires scientific expertise as well as natural empathy and compassion. That means colleges and universities want their applicants to have a balance of hard and soft skills.

Hard skills for nurses include:

• A strong understanding of sciences like biology, chemistry, and anatomy
• Computer literacy for health records and modern healthcare technology

Soft skills for nurses include:

• Communication and empathy: essential for building trust with patients and their families
• Problem-solving under pressure: healthcare moves fast, and situations change quickly
• Teamwork and collaboration: Nurses rarely work alone; they’re part of a larger care team

Why do these skills matter so much? It’s because patients need nurses who can read lab results and the room. The ability to combine scientific knowledge with emotional intelligence is what makes a great nurse, no matter their specialty.

3. Academic excellence

What do nursing schools look for in applicants? They look for good grades, of course, like most schools. Your academic history tells schools whether you can handle the challenges of a nursing program. They’ll take a look at:

• Patterns in your transcripts that show discipline and steady effort over time
• Whether you’ve taken AP courses, dual-enrollment classes, or any prior healthcare coursework
• Your grades in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and any other relevant science courses you’ve taken

Even if you don’t have perfect grades, showing improved grades could be enough. A positive trajectory shows you’re willing to put in the work and grow, two qualities nursing schools love to see.

Qualities that nursing schools desire in applicants

Beyond your marks and skills, nursing schools have a few select traits they like to see in candidates. Showing these can help you stand out very easily:

• Commitment to lifelong learning: Healthcare is changing and evolving constantly; the best nurses are always willing to learn and adapt
• Communication: Clear and concise writing and speaking in your personal statement and interviews will put you ahead of the curve
• Organization: Having all your application materials readily accessible shows you’re prepared.
• Time management: In Nursing, every second counts. Being punctual in your application process is a nice and subtle way to show this

Tip: All of these qualities can be shown off through how you handle the application process itself.

Explore Nursing programs at Goodwin University.

Nursing school application tips

Once you know what nursing schools are looking for, you can plan accordingly. Prior to submitting your nursing school application, take the steps below and you’ll be well-positioned for acceptance into competitive schools.

• Get letters of recommendation. Gather letters from your teachers or supervisors who know you and what your strengths are.
• Highlight past healthcare experience. Any form of hands-on experience shows off your interest and dedication to the field.
• Prepare for interviews in advance. Practice answering common Nursing school questions professionally.
• Show leadership where possible. Nursing is a leadership role in many ways; prove you can take the lead.
• Tailor your personal statement. Make it personal to your commitment to the nursing field.

Apply to Goodwin University’s nursing school

If you’re serious about becoming a nurse, you need somewhere that gives you the skills hospitals want. Luckily, Goodwin University has plenty of Nursing programs designed to prepare you for the modern nursing field.

Here, you’ll have:

• Clinical simulations for practice
• Expert nurses and teachers
• Flexible scheduling

Getting into nursing school is difficult and competitive, but not impossible. By understanding what schools want, you can show yourself as what they need: A committed, caring, and well-prepared future nurse.

When you’re ready to take the next step, Goodwin University can help you turn your nursing dreams into reality by making it easy to apply.

• Enrollment is hassle-free
• There are no wait lists for nursing enrollment
• Nursing applications are accepted three times per year

With the right mindset, your future in nursing is right here. Now that you know what to expect, the time is now to start nursing at Goodwin University.

Take the first step into becoming a nurse at Goodwin University.