What kind of classes are suggested in high school to learn more about nursing?
Specifically I'm interested in pediatric nursing, but wondered what might give me some help on nursing in the future. #nursing #pediatrics #classes
3 answers
Jared’s Answer
I would recommend biology and anatomy if your high school has an anatomy class. Take as many biology classes as you can as well (microbiology, physiology, etc if your school has that). A writing class because you will be required to write a lot of papers (especially in APA format). Having those will really give you a leg up when you enter college. The best advice I can give, however, is shadowing a nurse and trying to see if you can work in a hospital as a Nurses Aide, Lab Technician (the people who draw blood), etc. That is the best thing you can do because you will not only be able to put that you have actual hospital experience on your nursing school application, but you will actually have an idea of what it is like to work in a hospital and as a nurse. I promise you, unless you have spent extensive time in a hospital, you have no idea what it is like. So i readily encourage you to at least shadow a nurse and/or get a job in a hospital. You can shadow a nurse by contacting a hospital's Human Resources Department and they can put you in contact with the right people. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask
Gabrielle’s Answer
There are no specific high school courses, just biology, chemistry, the highest level math offered. If your school offers Biology 2 or AP Biology, human anatomy, human growth and development, those are good. I recommend volunteering at your local children's hospital. It will give you an idea of what pediatric nurses do and look good on your nursing school application.
Mira Kasztelan
Mira’s Answer
I agree with the other comments- taking classes such as Biology, Anatomy and human growth and development in high school will provide you with better understanding of the material you will be required to know before earning your college degree in nursing. These will be the basic core of classes you will take before you go on to specialized nursing courses. I also recommend AP Psychology if your high school offers it. It will help you understand human motivation and behavior and how to best respond to it when you are caring for others who are experiencing distress (physical, spiritual and/or psychological).