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What should high schoolers be doing right now in order to get accepting into nursing school?

Hello, I'm an upcoming junior in high school looking to better my chances at attaining a career in #nursing .

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Subject: Career question for you

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Suzanne’s Answer

Hi Tricia,

I am a retired registered nurse and would like to answer your question from a nursing perspective:

1. Start working with your high school academic counselor to identify the courses you will need to easily be accepted into nursing school.

2. Take local first aid and CPR classes through your local Red Cross. Keep your CPR current annually.

3. Volunteer with your local Red Cross, hospital, or nursing home (of course, this will depend on progress of COVID19 control).

4. Decide what type of degree you would like to earn prior to sitting for the State Board Exam. (ASN, BSN, MSN, Advanced Practice). This is called selecting your "career path".

5. Make good grades! Apply for all types of financial aid and scholarships! Investigate college loan forgiveness programs.

6. Study a second language. If you plan on staying in California, Spanish is particularly helpful.

7. Make sure that any nursing school you apply to is accredited by the National League of Nursing and other professional agencies.

8. Obtain a student membership to a nationally recognized nursing journal. Start reading now!

There is a lot of information to read in the websites below. Please copy and paste each link into your web browser.

We need nurses, more now than ever. There will be a global shortage in just a few years. It is good, honest, decent work and extraordinarily meaningful. I wish you all the best in your effort to become a registered nurse. By starting this early, I have no doubt that you will succeed!

Sue



https://nursejournal.org/community/10-ways-high-school-students-can-prepare-for-a-nursing-career/

https://www.rn.ca.gov/careers/steps.shtml

https://www.registerednursern.com/high-school-classes-nursing-school/

https://www.allnursingschools.com/how-to-get-into-nursing-school/
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Estelle’s Answer

Suzanne's answer is complete and excellent! I think that making good grades is the first step because that will be your open door to a college and the foundation for nursing school. After the COVID 19 crisis passes, look to volunteering because that will give you the experience to ensure that nursing is your path.
Good luck!
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Suddhasattwa’s Answer

Hi Tricia,

Quite a very noble profession you have chosen to pursue.
Also its very high in demand across the country.

Prepare yourself for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Traditional Program.
Focus more and more on you your Life Science subjects, Maths, and English.
Practice a lot of sample free online TEAS (test of essential academic skills), they check on your Reading, Maths, Science and English scores.
Follow the latest ATI/TEAS study guide online. Must visit the ATI Testing weblink I shared below.
The better the score the better is the opportunity however passing score is only 40%.

Its absolutely not difficult i must assure but have a very bright opportunity to travel countries, or serve the army too.

Good luck and work on your dreams.
Cheers, Suddho

Suddhasattwa recommends the following next steps:

www.atitesting.com
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Yvette’s Answer

Hi Tricia,

You made a good choice wanting to go into nursing. According to the American Association of Colleges of nursing: Nursing is the largest health care profession and the federal government predicts that more than 200,000 new Registered Nurses will be needed each year from 2016-2026. Your High School Counselor is a useful resource person to guide you.

To best answer your question:

1) Apply to multiple nursing schools

2)Complete many volunteer hours or get a job in health care such as a Patient Care Assistant (PCT) or Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

3) Submit an accurate and complete application

4) Take the TEAS ( Test of Essential Academic Skills). It is a test for students applying for nursing school in the USA.

5) Passed the entrance interview.

I hope this information will be helpful.

Reference: https://www.registerednursing.org/dos-donts-nursing-school-acceptance/
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Estee’s Answer

Take summer classes and study hard. Take CPR classes in your community. Join an organization. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. It would look great in your resume and application!
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Becky’s Answer

Hi Tricia,
There are many great suggestions above. I have been a nurse for 27 years and I believe that nursing is an excellent career choice. What many people don't understand is that there are a wide variety of jobs in the nursing profession, not just what is called "bedside nursing." I have been a nurse anesthetist for 16 years and this is one of four advanced practice roles in the nursing profession. A few other examples include education, research, healthcare policy, and management. That being said, one of the most rewarding roles in nursing is practicing basic bedside care.
I have two suggestions:
1. Learn CPR and get BLS (basic life support) certification.
2. Read as much as you can about nursing and healthcare. Two online sources are American Nurse and the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. These can be found online at this link: https://www.nursingworld.org/membership/ana-periodicals/

Good luck!
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David’s Answer

What you should be doing is enjoying the last few years of high school and having lots of fun! And I mean this, no one will tell you, but it only matters what you do when you get out of high school not what you do when you’re in high school! However, If you’re a senior, I suppose you would be looking at which nursing school you wish to attend. My advice is to pursue an associate degree in nursing, as this will allow you to take your boards and work as a registered nurse in just under three years. Try to avoid the private nursing schools, however if you have to just borrow money all the way through, there are lots of nursing student loan repayment programs, as well as federal loan repayment programs. Apply to as many programs as you can! The community colleges may be more difficult to get in, because they are less expensive and have fewer seats. So….then just go to one of the private programs and borrow money and don’t worry about paying it back until the time comes! Because it may never come! There are lots of programs to help you ! If you’re set on attending a community college, while waiting to enter a nursing program you can continue to work on your co-requisites for your ADN or BSN .

I Began my education as an LPN and then transition from LPN to ADN and then ADN to BSN and ultimately my masters degree and Now practice as a nurse anesthetist! I have a very nontraditional way I’m looking at this however I’m a realist and if you’re interested I would be more than happy to share my insights with you!
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elvia’s Answer

Make sure that you are in contact with your counselor and anyone in your high school that can assist with college entrance exams.

Make sure you are taking science and math as these will be rehired in college.

If you are able to visit the college you intend to intend to enroll in and ask them to see a sample curriculum so you can see what they put in emphasis on.

Start volunteering as this is also helpful for college acceptance.

Speak to professional in your area of interest, whereas it is working with children, women, the elderly, a school, cancer patients etc.

There are so many career paths you can take with nursing.
Most importantly know that you will be working with people at their most vulnerable times.
Be prepared to be patient and kind.
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