4 answers
4
Asked 589 views

Who should become a nurse? What kind of skills and qualities should you have to become a nurse?

Where can I learn to become a nurse? I want to find a nursing school.

nurse
Answer This
4

4 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Carmen’s Answer

Chinyere's answer is excellent! I agree with everything they wrote, so won't write a repetitive answer. I do want to add a couple things.
1) Regarding character: nurses have been rated the most trustworthy profession for the 23 years in a row. (Gallup, January 13, 2025.) You should be trustworthy.
2) Regarding skills: you'll learn what you need to know in school and on the job. Consider, but don't worry about, required skills. Yes, you can learn to think critically and problem-solve. You don't have to start with those skills, just a commitment to learning them. Start with compassion and a desire to help others, you can pick up the rest!
Best of luck!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Michael’s Answer

Hi Zakiyah:

While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a nursing career. Physics, chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra, geometry and statistics will be needed. Both concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.

Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a nurse, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.

Here are the Top 10 Best Nursing Schools of 2025 per www.nurse.org:

https://nurse.org/education/top-10-best-nursing-schools/

- Duke University
- Georgetown University
- Johns Hopkins University
- New York University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Michigan
- University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Washington
- Emory University
- University of Maryland

U.S. News & World Report has additional college listings for the best schools for a Master Degree in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice:

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools

A Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing will concentrate more on math and science courses. This will be earned at a college or university for a duration of four years. Clinical experience is gained while in nursing school at a college or university. Physiology, psychology and anatomy are some additional college courses that are required for one to take to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:

- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral

There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.

There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.

College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.

You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of college and scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and acceptance to the applied college of choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.

Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:

https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/

https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships

Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.

There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.

According to Johnson and Johnson, here is a link for Nursing Specialties:

https://nursing.jnj.com/specialty

Here is a list of some of the High Demand Nurse Specialties:

- Cardiac Care Nurse
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- Emergency Nurse
- Perioperative Nurse
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Labor and Delivery Nurse (L&D)
- Home Health Nurse
- Hospice Nurse
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Obstetrics Nurse
- Oncology Nurse

Best wishes for your education and career path in Nursing!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Chinyere’s Answer

Hello Zakiyah,

Good question! Becoming a nurse is an incredible career choice that allows you to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives every single day. Nursing is a great fit for someone who is compassionate, dedicated, and eager to help others. Let’s break down your questions:

Who Should Become a Nurse?
Nursing is a career for people who:
- Care Deeply About Others: You’ll be helping patients during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
- Enjoy Learning: Healthcare is always evolving, so nurses must stay updated on medical knowledge and techniques.
- Are Team Players: Nurses collaborate with doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to provide the best care.
- Thrive in Fast-Paced Environments: Whether in hospitals or clinics, nursing often requires quick decision-making and multitasking.

Skills and Qualities You’ll Need
- Compassion and Empathy: Being able to comfort patients and their families is crucial.
- Strong Communication: Nurses need to clearly explain medical information to patients and work effectively with colleagues.
- Problem-Solving: Quick thinking is often required to assess and respond to patients’ needs.
- Attention to Detail: From administering medications to monitoring symptoms, precision is key.
- Resilience and Stamina: Nursing can be physically and emotionally demanding, so staying strong is important.

Where to Learn Nursing
There are several pathways to becoming a nurse, depending on where you’re starting and your career goals:
- Community Colleges: Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes 2-3 years and qualifies you to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
- Universities: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes 4 years but opens up more opportunities for advancement.
- Accelerated BSN Programs: If you already have a degree in another field, this option allows you to become a nurse quickly.
- Vocational Schools: These programs train you to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

How to Find a Nursing School
1. Search Locally: Look for community colleges, universities, or vocational schools in your area.
2. Accreditation: Ensure the school is accredited by organizations like the ACEN or CCNE.
3. Clinical Experience: Choose programs that offer hands-on training in hospitals or clinics.
4. Flexible Options: Some schools offer online or part-time programs if you need a flexible schedule.
5. Financial Aid: Research scholarships, grants, and student loans to help cover costs.

Nursing is not just a career—it’s a calling. If you’re ready to learn, grow, and care for others, you have the foundation to become an amazing nurse. Take the first step by researching programs near you and reaching out to admissions counselors—they’ll guide you through the process.

You’ve got this, Zakiyah! The world always needs compassionate and skilled nurses like you.

Best wishes!
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Cindy’s Answer

Go to the webpage of the board of nursing for your state. Get the list of approved nursing schools, and the list showing how they performed the NCLEX. Then visit the webpages of the schools individually and look at what is needed to join the school. If possible, call the advisor office and have a conversation about teh actual needs as it may be a little more complicated than it looks. Nursing school normally has extra requirements like background checks and drug screens.
0