Vent to friends and family, then put that energy into a stronger application. Here's where to focus.
Retake Classes With Poor Grades
GPA matters. If you earned a C or D in a science or math course, retake it. Confirm first that the schools you're applying to will count the better grade. Raising your overall GPA and your science and math GPA makes a real difference.
Get Experience
Healthcare experience makes you more competitive and shows you know what the work actually involves, so you won't be caught off guard.
Consider a CNA Program
Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is one of the best ways to get that experience. Many rejected applicants spend a year as a CNA before reapplying. You can finish a CNA program in roughly 15 weeks or less, classroom and clinical hours included, and the median annual wage was $39,530 in May 2024 per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You also get exposure to a range of care settings while you wait to reapply.
Complete Your Prerequisites
If your prerequisites aren't done, that alone can sink an application. Schools want a solid background in biology, physiology, and microbiology, and usually anatomy, math, statistics, chemistry, and sociology. Some also require nutrition, English, or extra credits in a specific subject. Check the exact list for each program.
Ask the School What They Value
Schools want well-rounded applicants with volunteer experience, good test scores, and a minimum GPA. But every program weights things differently. One leans hard on GPA, another rewards healthcare experience or strong letters of reference. Talk to the admissions counselor and find out how each requirement is ranked. You can't hit the target until you know where it is.
Take the TEAS
Most schools want a strong score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), which covers math, science, reading, English, and language. Programs use it to predict how you'll do. You can take it in person or remotely at a proctored site, and each section is timed. Plan to prepare for at least six weeks. The ATI TEAS Version 7 has 170 questions total (150 scored plus 20 unscored) across reading, math, science, and English and language usage.
Apply to Several Programs
You may have one dream program, but applying broadly raises your odds. Don't limit yourself to bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs. Include associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs too. Either way you can graduate and license as a registered nurse (RN), and from an ADN you can later do an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-master's bridge.
Watch the details. Nothing tanks an application faster than an incomplete one. If a school asks for three letters of reference, send three. Some programs interview applicants now, so prepare for that.
Be Open to Relocating
Look beyond your area. Programs with less competition may be an easier admit. If you live in New York City, consider schools in surrounding states. You'll pay out-of-state tuition, but scholarships and grants can offset it.
Don't Give Up
A rejection stings, but the experience and coursework you add before the next round boost your odds and your confidence. Many students come back more motivated and work harder once they're in. It may take a few extra months, but it's achievable when you make yourself the strongest applicant you can be.
Key Points
- The American Association of Colleges of Nursing found 80,162 qualified applicants were denied admission in 2024, largely due to shortages of faculty, clinical placements, and classroom space.
- Improve your application: gain experience through a CNA program, finish your prerequisites, and raise your GPA by retaking courses below a B.
- Prepare for and take the TEAS.
- Apply broadly, including both ADN and BSN programs and schools in surrounding states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting rejected from nursing school hurt my chances next time? No. Schools evaluate each application cycle on its merits. A stronger GPA, finished prerequisites, healthcare experience, and a higher TEAS score the second time around help, not the prior rejection itself.
Why do nursing schools reject qualified applicants? Capacity, not just your file. The AACN reports tens of thousands of qualified applicants turned away each year because programs lack enough faculty, clinical placement sites, and classroom space.
Should I become a CNA before reapplying? It is one of the most efficient moves. A CNA program often finishes in about 15 weeks, gives you direct patient-care experience that strengthens your application, and pays a median of $39,530 a year while you wait to reapply.
Is an ADN a good backup if I do not get into a BSN program? Yes. An ADN qualifies you to sit the NCLEX-RN and license as a registered nurse, and you can later bridge to a BSN or master's. Applying to both ADN and BSN programs widens your odds.
How long should I study for the TEAS? Plan for at least six weeks. The exam covers reading, math, science, and English and language usage, and programs use your score to predict academic success, so it is worth real preparation.