5 answers
denise
Student
Arlington, Texas
3
Questions
Asked
1395 views
What are good colleges I should start looking into if I want to an labor and delivery nurse or a NICU nurse?
I haven't decided which one I want to pursue yet. I'm getting my EKG certification this year as a junior and I wanted to start looking into colleges soon anyways.
Login to comment
5 answers
Shelia Bereszniewicz
Seller enblement
92
Answers
Woodstock, Georgia
Updated
Shelia’s Answer
Nursing is an extraordinary profession, teeming with a myriad of thrilling paths just waiting to be explored. Have you ever thought about offering your time as a volunteer at a hospital? This could be a wonderful way for you to get a taste of the nursing profession and identify the role that truly speaks to your heart, especially since you've shown interest in the neonatal intensive care unit. Generally, acquiring a bachelor's degree in nursing takes around 4 to 5 years.
Kennesaw State University's nursing program is in high demand in Georgia. The first step involves applying to their undergraduate program, followed by a separate application for the Nursing program. It's essential to complete at least 7 out of the 11 prerequisite courses before the nursing application deadline, with a minimum of 5 of these 7 being math & natural science courses. With the rising costs of obtaining a college degree, you may want to check out your state nursing programs.
Remember, nursing is a challenging field with high competition, so it's important to strive for excellent grades and a standout performance on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to secure a spot in a Nursing Program. Once you're in, success will depend on passing all your classes and actively participating in clinical rotations, which will provide you with invaluable hands-on nursing experience. After earning your degree, you'll need to apply for your state license and pass the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to officially become a licensed nurse.
My own daughter went through a similar journey, applying to numerous Nursing programs before eventually transferring to a different college to earn her BSN. Today, she's a dedicated nurse in the Neuro ICU.
Stay positive and keep pushing forward! Good luck!
Kennesaw State University's nursing program is in high demand in Georgia. The first step involves applying to their undergraduate program, followed by a separate application for the Nursing program. It's essential to complete at least 7 out of the 11 prerequisite courses before the nursing application deadline, with a minimum of 5 of these 7 being math & natural science courses. With the rising costs of obtaining a college degree, you may want to check out your state nursing programs.
Remember, nursing is a challenging field with high competition, so it's important to strive for excellent grades and a standout performance on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to secure a spot in a Nursing Program. Once you're in, success will depend on passing all your classes and actively participating in clinical rotations, which will provide you with invaluable hands-on nursing experience. After earning your degree, you'll need to apply for your state license and pass the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to officially become a licensed nurse.
My own daughter went through a similar journey, applying to numerous Nursing programs before eventually transferring to a different college to earn her BSN. Today, she's a dedicated nurse in the Neuro ICU.
Stay positive and keep pushing forward! Good luck!
Thank you so much for all the advice i will definitely take that into consideration have a great day!
denise
Sylvia Mum
Registered Nurse
29
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
Choosing the right nursing school involves several key factors:
Family Financial Capacity: Consider your family's financial situation and whether you can afford the tuition and associated costs of nursing school.
Time Demands: Think about how much time you can commit. Are you looking to work while studying, or are you planning to focus solely on your studies for four uninterrupted years?
Career Goals: Determine whether you want to enter the workforce sooner or complete a full four-year program. Also, think about your long-term goals—do you want to become a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse, a mother-baby nurse, or perhaps a midwife?
Clinical Connections: Look into the clinical opportunities and connections your prospective nursing school offers. Strong connections with hospitals and birthing centers can provide valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
In the labor and delivery room, your role can vary based on your career path. You might want to:
Assist a Nurse: If your goal is to support a nurse, consider starting as a Clinical Technician/Patient Care Technician at a hospital. Some hospitals provide training for these roles, and a CNA certificate can help you get started.
Become an L&D Nurse: If you aim to become an L&D nurse, you should first complete a nursing program. To gain experience and improve your chances, look for preceptorship opportunities in L&D during your final year of nursing school. Volunteering in L&D units can also be beneficial.
Work in Mother-Baby or NICU: After labor and delivery, mother-baby nurses and NICU nurses take over. Be aware that these roles might be separate depending on the hospital.
My advice would be:
Choose an Accredited Program: Ensure the nursing school is accredited and listed on your state's nursing board website. Check their NCLEX pass rates to avoid schools with a history of poor performance.
Evaluate Clinical Opportunities: Investigate where the school places students for clinicals. Schools with strong connections to L&D units or birthing centers will provide better hands-on experience.
Flexibility and Preparation: Be flexible with your choice of nursing school, especially if there are waitlists. Prepare by gaining relevant experience and making connections in the field.
By carefully considering these factors and preparing accordingly, you'll be better positioned to achieve your goals in the nursing profession.
Family Financial Capacity: Consider your family's financial situation and whether you can afford the tuition and associated costs of nursing school.
Time Demands: Think about how much time you can commit. Are you looking to work while studying, or are you planning to focus solely on your studies for four uninterrupted years?
Career Goals: Determine whether you want to enter the workforce sooner or complete a full four-year program. Also, think about your long-term goals—do you want to become a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse, a mother-baby nurse, or perhaps a midwife?
Clinical Connections: Look into the clinical opportunities and connections your prospective nursing school offers. Strong connections with hospitals and birthing centers can provide valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
In the labor and delivery room, your role can vary based on your career path. You might want to:
Assist a Nurse: If your goal is to support a nurse, consider starting as a Clinical Technician/Patient Care Technician at a hospital. Some hospitals provide training for these roles, and a CNA certificate can help you get started.
Become an L&D Nurse: If you aim to become an L&D nurse, you should first complete a nursing program. To gain experience and improve your chances, look for preceptorship opportunities in L&D during your final year of nursing school. Volunteering in L&D units can also be beneficial.
Work in Mother-Baby or NICU: After labor and delivery, mother-baby nurses and NICU nurses take over. Be aware that these roles might be separate depending on the hospital.
My advice would be:
Choose an Accredited Program: Ensure the nursing school is accredited and listed on your state's nursing board website. Check their NCLEX pass rates to avoid schools with a history of poor performance.
Evaluate Clinical Opportunities: Investigate where the school places students for clinicals. Schools with strong connections to L&D units or birthing centers will provide better hands-on experience.
Flexibility and Preparation: Be flexible with your choice of nursing school, especially if there are waitlists. Prepare by gaining relevant experience and making connections in the field.
By carefully considering these factors and preparing accordingly, you'll be better positioned to achieve your goals in the nursing profession.
Thank you!! This will help me alot ive been trying to find a hospital that will let me shadow a nurse rn. I also want to just focus on school when i go to college but i have a question what is a mother- baby nurse ive never heard of that before and it sounds very interesting.
denise
Hello Denise
Finding a hospital willing to let you shadow a nurse might be challenging due to privacy concerns. Maybe try shadowing a doctor instead. Nurses work closely with patients and their privacy is a top priority. In mother-baby units, security is especially tight to protect babies from potential theft, and this makes it even more sensitive.
Try contacting your local hospital’s volunteer office, who may offer roles like passing blankets to patients, providing water, or reception work. This offers valuable exposure, but check if there's a minimum age requirement and you may need to complete Basic Life Support (BLS) training and a background check. Review the hospital career page for mother-baby nurses job description. It's a rewarding field with a lot of positive energy.
Sylvia Mum
Hello Denise
These two links talks about theMother baby and L&D nursing roles FIRST LINK https://nursingcecentral.com/mother-baby-nurse/
AND SECOND LINK https://nursejournal.org/careers/labor-and-delivery-nurse/
All the best
Sylvia Mum
Thank you for all the advice and I completely understand why it would be difficult to shadow a nurse and I will totally look at those links after class and I truly appreciate everything you've done to try and help a young person you don't know achieve my dreams
denise
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Denise,
That’s a great step toward becoming a nurse! Both labor and delivery (L&D) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nursing are specialized fields within nursing, and many colleges with strong nursing programs offer pathways that will allow you to pursue either route. Here are a few key factors and colleges to consider as you start your search:
Factors to Look for in a Nursing Program:
1. Accreditation: Make sure the program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
2. NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: High NCLEX pass rates are a good indicator of program quality. Look for schools with pass rates above 85%.
3. Clinical Rotations: Make sure the school offers strong clinical experiences, especially in labor and delivery or NICU settings.
4. Specialty Tracks: Some schools offer specific tracks or electives in L&D or NICU nursing, which can be helpful for early specialization.
5. Location: Consider schools near hospitals with strong maternity or NICU departments, as this will provide more opportunities for internships and clinical experience.
Top Nursing Schools to Consider:
1. University of Pennsylvania (Penn Nursing)
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Offers one of the top-ranked nursing programs in the U.S. with excellent opportunities for clinical placements at hospitals with strong labor and delivery and NICU units.
- Specialty courses available in women’s health and pediatrics.
2. Duke University
- Location: Durham, NC
- Duke’s School of Nursing is known for its comprehensive clinical rotations and strong emphasis on hands-on learning.
- Offers elective courses in maternal and neonatal health.
3. Johns Hopkins University
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Johns Hopkins offers specialized courses in obstetric and neonatal nursing, and its affiliated hospital has one of the best NICUs in the country.
- Known for research opportunities in pediatric and maternal health.
4. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- UCSF’s School of Nursing is highly ranked, and the school has strong partnerships with leading hospitals for clinical experiences in L&D and NICU.
- Research opportunities in women’s health and pediatrics are available.
5. University of Michigan
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- The University of Michigan has a top-ranked nursing program and offers robust clinical training opportunities, including placements in L&D and NICU settings.
- Offers pediatric and maternal-child nursing courses as electives.
6. New York University (NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing)
- Location: New York, NY
- Offers a strong Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with clinical rotations at major hospitals in New York City, including top maternity and NICU facilities.
- Elective courses and opportunities in neonatal and obstetric care.
7. Vanderbilt University
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing is highly respected, and its proximity to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center provides excellent opportunities for clinical experience in both L&D and NICU units.
- Strong maternal-child health and neonatal nursing focus.
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- UNC’s School of Nursing offers excellent clinical rotation opportunities, including a focus on maternal and neonatal health.
- One of the top public nursing programs with a strong reputation for preparing nurses in specialized fields.
9. Ohio State University
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Ohio State’s College of Nursing has strong hospital partnerships for clinical rotations, including those in L&D and NICU units.
- Electives and research opportunities in pediatric and obstetric care are available.
10. University of Washington
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Offers strong clinical placements and research opportunities in women’s health, labor and delivery, and neonatal care.
- Partnerships with major hospitals for hands-on experience in NICU and L&D settings.
Next Steps:
- Shadow Nurses: If possible, shadow a labor and delivery nurse and a NICU nurse to help you decide which path resonates more with you.
- Prepare for Clinicals: Look for schools that offer early exposure to clinical work in maternity wards or NICUs.
- Explore Financial Aid: Many nursing schools offer scholarships, so start researching what’s available.
Your EKG (also known as ECG) which stands for Electrocardiogram certification will also make you stand out as you apply to nursing programs, as it demonstrates your commitment to learning valuable medical skills early on!
Best wishes!
That’s a great step toward becoming a nurse! Both labor and delivery (L&D) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nursing are specialized fields within nursing, and many colleges with strong nursing programs offer pathways that will allow you to pursue either route. Here are a few key factors and colleges to consider as you start your search:
Factors to Look for in a Nursing Program:
1. Accreditation: Make sure the program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
2. NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: High NCLEX pass rates are a good indicator of program quality. Look for schools with pass rates above 85%.
3. Clinical Rotations: Make sure the school offers strong clinical experiences, especially in labor and delivery or NICU settings.
4. Specialty Tracks: Some schools offer specific tracks or electives in L&D or NICU nursing, which can be helpful for early specialization.
5. Location: Consider schools near hospitals with strong maternity or NICU departments, as this will provide more opportunities for internships and clinical experience.
Top Nursing Schools to Consider:
1. University of Pennsylvania (Penn Nursing)
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Offers one of the top-ranked nursing programs in the U.S. with excellent opportunities for clinical placements at hospitals with strong labor and delivery and NICU units.
- Specialty courses available in women’s health and pediatrics.
2. Duke University
- Location: Durham, NC
- Duke’s School of Nursing is known for its comprehensive clinical rotations and strong emphasis on hands-on learning.
- Offers elective courses in maternal and neonatal health.
3. Johns Hopkins University
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Johns Hopkins offers specialized courses in obstetric and neonatal nursing, and its affiliated hospital has one of the best NICUs in the country.
- Known for research opportunities in pediatric and maternal health.
4. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- UCSF’s School of Nursing is highly ranked, and the school has strong partnerships with leading hospitals for clinical experiences in L&D and NICU.
- Research opportunities in women’s health and pediatrics are available.
5. University of Michigan
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- The University of Michigan has a top-ranked nursing program and offers robust clinical training opportunities, including placements in L&D and NICU settings.
- Offers pediatric and maternal-child nursing courses as electives.
6. New York University (NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing)
- Location: New York, NY
- Offers a strong Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with clinical rotations at major hospitals in New York City, including top maternity and NICU facilities.
- Elective courses and opportunities in neonatal and obstetric care.
7. Vanderbilt University
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing is highly respected, and its proximity to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center provides excellent opportunities for clinical experience in both L&D and NICU units.
- Strong maternal-child health and neonatal nursing focus.
8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- UNC’s School of Nursing offers excellent clinical rotation opportunities, including a focus on maternal and neonatal health.
- One of the top public nursing programs with a strong reputation for preparing nurses in specialized fields.
9. Ohio State University
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Ohio State’s College of Nursing has strong hospital partnerships for clinical rotations, including those in L&D and NICU units.
- Electives and research opportunities in pediatric and obstetric care are available.
10. University of Washington
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Offers strong clinical placements and research opportunities in women’s health, labor and delivery, and neonatal care.
- Partnerships with major hospitals for hands-on experience in NICU and L&D settings.
Next Steps:
- Shadow Nurses: If possible, shadow a labor and delivery nurse and a NICU nurse to help you decide which path resonates more with you.
- Prepare for Clinicals: Look for schools that offer early exposure to clinical work in maternity wards or NICUs.
- Explore Financial Aid: Many nursing schools offer scholarships, so start researching what’s available.
Your EKG (also known as ECG) which stands for Electrocardiogram certification will also make you stand out as you apply to nursing programs, as it demonstrates your commitment to learning valuable medical skills early on!
Best wishes!
Thank you so much for all the colleges that you've given me I'll definitely start looking into those colleges thank you for all the advice!!
denise
You are welcome, Denise!
Chinyere Okafor
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
342
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Denise,
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
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 2024 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.
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.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Nursing!
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
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 2024 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.
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.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Nursing!
Thank you so much for all the advice and colleges i will definitely start looking into them!!
denise
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Denise !
I want to have a few things clarified before I give you advice because in order to receive an accredited EKG Technician Certification, you must have your High School Diploma and be 18 or over for most programs. In your state of Texas, you also need to do 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours, so is this what you are doing ? Is it a "certificate" of attendance for a presentation training ? Or is it a State Certified Certification after you've gone through the program ? Just wondering. As a nurse, you will not be doing EKGs on patients.
In order to become any kind of Nurse, you do not have to choose the department you want to work in now, you will have to go to Nursing School. You can rest assured that you can enroll in Nursing School after high school without a specific patient population in mind. You will need to learn how to be a Nurse first. You can further explore what it is to be a nurse by reading more about it and watching videos on You Tube of nurses speaking about the career. If you are very interested in nursing, I would advise that you spend 11th and 12th grades exploring the career as well as doing health related activities and groups.
Seek any extracurriculars connected to life sciences and health at your school. Seek out Health Fairs to attend and participate in. This will give you a useful foundation and the opportunity to become familiar with health issues that you will need to know as a nurse. I have left a link for you to learn more about health related events in your town. Also take psychology and biology in high school.
As for which college you should go to, that would be solely up to you after you have explored and have been orientated at a few colleges that you've selected based upon how much you want to spend and where you want to attend college. All nursing programs are accredited and you should not have any issues with finding a viable program that has set standards that every nursing program has. You can begin exploring with the University of Texas in your home town of Arlington. Double check to see if they hold their Nursing Program in Fort Worth. I have left links below for more information at their website. I have also left a link below that has a list of schools in Texas that you may also want to look into. You will need to decide if you want to stay in Texas or go to school out of state. If you go out of state, the tuition is usually higher and you'll have to start planning for your move now, with such things as saving money for the move and knowing where you will stay when you get there. Once you explore the schools in your state, and then feel you want to go out of state, make plans as soon as possible and even try to visit that campus beforehand if you can.
So keep up with life and health sciences while you are a junior in High School as you've stated and read a lot about illnesses and injuries that you'd be working with as a future Nurse. Don't worry about what type of nurse, what department you'd work in, for now get all the science and health information that you can and participate doing volunteer work and working or going to Health Fairs. I wish you all the best moving forward towards a rewarding career !
HEALTH FAIRS AND EVENTS IN ARLINGTON, TX https://www.eventbrite.com/d/tx--arlington/health-fair/
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, ARLINGTON https://www.uta.edu/ UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS,ARLINGTON BACHELORS IN NURSING PROGRAM https://www.uta.edu/academics/programs/nursing-bsn
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, ARLINGTON SCHOOL OF NURSING INFORMATION https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/conhi
A LIST OF NURSING SCHOOL IN TEXAS https://www.nursingschoolsalmanac.com/articles/list-accredited-nursing-schools-arlington-texas
I want to have a few things clarified before I give you advice because in order to receive an accredited EKG Technician Certification, you must have your High School Diploma and be 18 or over for most programs. In your state of Texas, you also need to do 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours, so is this what you are doing ? Is it a "certificate" of attendance for a presentation training ? Or is it a State Certified Certification after you've gone through the program ? Just wondering. As a nurse, you will not be doing EKGs on patients.
In order to become any kind of Nurse, you do not have to choose the department you want to work in now, you will have to go to Nursing School. You can rest assured that you can enroll in Nursing School after high school without a specific patient population in mind. You will need to learn how to be a Nurse first. You can further explore what it is to be a nurse by reading more about it and watching videos on You Tube of nurses speaking about the career. If you are very interested in nursing, I would advise that you spend 11th and 12th grades exploring the career as well as doing health related activities and groups.
Seek any extracurriculars connected to life sciences and health at your school. Seek out Health Fairs to attend and participate in. This will give you a useful foundation and the opportunity to become familiar with health issues that you will need to know as a nurse. I have left a link for you to learn more about health related events in your town. Also take psychology and biology in high school.
As for which college you should go to, that would be solely up to you after you have explored and have been orientated at a few colleges that you've selected based upon how much you want to spend and where you want to attend college. All nursing programs are accredited and you should not have any issues with finding a viable program that has set standards that every nursing program has. You can begin exploring with the University of Texas in your home town of Arlington. Double check to see if they hold their Nursing Program in Fort Worth. I have left links below for more information at their website. I have also left a link below that has a list of schools in Texas that you may also want to look into. You will need to decide if you want to stay in Texas or go to school out of state. If you go out of state, the tuition is usually higher and you'll have to start planning for your move now, with such things as saving money for the move and knowing where you will stay when you get there. Once you explore the schools in your state, and then feel you want to go out of state, make plans as soon as possible and even try to visit that campus beforehand if you can.
So keep up with life and health sciences while you are a junior in High School as you've stated and read a lot about illnesses and injuries that you'd be working with as a future Nurse. Don't worry about what type of nurse, what department you'd work in, for now get all the science and health information that you can and participate doing volunteer work and working or going to Health Fairs. I wish you all the best moving forward towards a rewarding career !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for all the advice!! Also I'm not quite sure on what kind certification is it but I do know we have to take a big test at the end of the year. Also I'm sorry for any confusion I'm dyslexic
denise
You are welcome. Your question was written perfectly, it is just that EKG Certification is a specific program and you said you were in High School and it's usually not offered in High Schools. That why I was wondering. You are fortunate if it is offered by your High School. Your question was perfect. Best wishes on your studies, Denise !
Michelle M.
Nurses do EKGs. They don't get certified to do EKGs. Its just one of those general nursing skills that come as part of the job. Hospitals encourage their CNAs to learn how to do it and sign off on them at work
Sylvia Mum
Wow, Cynthia Muhonja, I had no idea because where I live nurses do not, let alone, CNAs because in my state, only EKG Technicians seem to do it. In my state, EKG Technicians assist physicians with diagnosing and treating heart-related illnesses. I am almost sure that nurses are not doing this where I live and I have never observed anyone other than the EKG Technician doing it. Thanks for the heads up !I will remember that some nurses and CNA's are doing it for some patients.
Michelle M.