Tips for Starting Nursing School

Hey there study nurses! Here’s the topic of our next post. I think this one is a good one for a lot of pre-nursing hopefuls. Stay tuned for the release of our next post this coming Saturday!

• Figure our your program’s prerequisite requirements ASAP (methods: online search, meeting with a counselor/academic advisor, course catalog, degree plan)
• Planning classes: to get done as quickly as possible only take what you need (this doesn’t factor in a minor or electives outside of requirements). Consider the timing of sequential classes…Ex: usually you need basic chem to take micro or organic chem.
• If you’re a transfer student, don’t assume that your credits will all transfer. Mine didn’t.
• Don’t just take your prerequisites and forget the material. Nursing school builds off A&P, chem, bio, micro, etc. You’ll also need to know basic algebra for drug/dosage calculations.
• Be on good terms with and make an effort to get to know your prerequisite professors. They can be excellent sources for letters of recommendation!
• If your goal is to get accepted/finish your degree ASAP, then strongly consider taking summer semester classes. HOWEVER, know yourself well enough to understand your limits. Summer classes teach a whole semester’s worth of material in a much shorter time period.
• Definitely focus your efforts on those core prerequisites (A&P, bio, chem, etc.) because depending on your program, grades could be weighted and greatly impact your acceptance. That doesn’t mean you should neglect your gen-eds though.
• Figure our how your program accepts students into its program. It’s it via interview, ranking of GPA, combination of both, mental exercises?
• Consider a hobby and/or volunteer activity that you regularly do and are committed to. Schools like to see service, commitment, and things that make you unique. Make an effort to stand out…but in a GOOD way. Some schools require a background check prior to being accepted.
• Lastly, consider volunteering at a local hospital or nursing home for a semester or two (preferably those right before you apply). You can also shadow an RN to make sure it’s the career you want. There’ll likely be a lot of footwork and red tape to get through initially, but it’ll show your dedication, qualification, and selflessness (i.e. key traits of a nurse). Plus, many grad schools for nursing…especially CRNA schools…won’t allow you to apply without having shadowed a professional.

I hope these tips help you get into a nursing program more quickly! Happy studying!