2 answers
Kaylee
Student
Gresham, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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How do get into nursing school
How do I become a nurse after high school?
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2 answers
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
240
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Kaylee,
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.
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).
Here are the Top 10 Best Nursing Schools of 2023 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
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
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. 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 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, 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.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Nursing!
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.
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).
Here are the Top 10 Best Nursing Schools of 2023 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
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
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. 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 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, 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.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Nursing!
Gina Gill
Nurse
21
Answers
Vacaville
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Hello there! There are so many paths!
1) Enroll in a nursing program in a local junior college, you will get a nursing diploma and an Associates Degree. This will likley be 2 years and you can then take your nursing board exam and get your RN license.
2) Apply to a 4 year university with a nursing program (this can be very competitive so make sure you talk to the nursing program advisors/enrollment specialists). With this you will get your RN license AND Bacehlor's degree in nursing (BSN) which is very important these days.
3) Apply to a 4 year university and get a Bachelor's in something non nursing like biology and then apply to a fastrak BSN program (this would take an additional 1-2 years after but it's not as competitve to get in as it already requires you to have a some college credits).
4) OR they have fastrak Master's in nursing programs, a bachelors is required (in anything) and then you do a 2-3 year combined Masters + RN program. This is what I did and I LOVE it. I have a Bachelors, Master's and RN. It's been very handy to move up in leadership roles and as hospitals become more academic and nursing gets more competitive having more education is necessary.
You ulimtately have to decide what you want to do. For now you can maybe just focus on the steps 1-2 and see what options you have. There are TONS of online school where you can get master's in nursing now once you have completed a BSN or RN.
1) Enroll in a nursing program in a local junior college, you will get a nursing diploma and an Associates Degree. This will likley be 2 years and you can then take your nursing board exam and get your RN license.
2) Apply to a 4 year university with a nursing program (this can be very competitive so make sure you talk to the nursing program advisors/enrollment specialists). With this you will get your RN license AND Bacehlor's degree in nursing (BSN) which is very important these days.
3) Apply to a 4 year university and get a Bachelor's in something non nursing like biology and then apply to a fastrak BSN program (this would take an additional 1-2 years after but it's not as competitve to get in as it already requires you to have a some college credits).
4) OR they have fastrak Master's in nursing programs, a bachelors is required (in anything) and then you do a 2-3 year combined Masters + RN program. This is what I did and I LOVE it. I have a Bachelors, Master's and RN. It's been very handy to move up in leadership roles and as hospitals become more academic and nursing gets more competitive having more education is necessary.
You ulimtately have to decide what you want to do. For now you can maybe just focus on the steps 1-2 and see what options you have. There are TONS of online school where you can get master's in nursing now once you have completed a BSN or RN.