Few Questions.

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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So I'll be starting my prereqs for nursing next month, I'm doing the ADN route. I can honestly say Im extremely nervous and excited (Which is good for me).

My questions are has anyone who started and became a RN or working towards one never really did great academically? Not because they had issues learning but more of just being lazy? I ask this question because I'm one of those individuals sort of. Highschool I never really tried as I was stubborn and only tried enough to pass the class. I joined the navy, Where i found my passion for serving people, 1st responder type stuff and I got out, Went to school and became a EMT-B. Which I absolutely loved but the class was pretty difficult jumping into a area with literally no medical background. I still passed the course with a B and got certified. I did a few clinicals in that program where I found the love for hospital work (Clincial as a ER tech) over the Ambulance clinicals (Which was awesoome).

Public speaking / Social - Never been one who likes to talk a ear off, Unless I know you and am comfortable enough to blabber. I used to be extremely quiet and kept to myself unless I had to say something. Military got that out of me for the most part, And having a family helped as well, But is this going to be an issue for not being a social butterfly? I understand its helpful to get to know your patients and all that which I'm fine with in a 'work mindset'.

Another question was Ive been reading about how the 'job market' isn't 'dieing for nurses' which from what Im reading it still seems a career that is in need, Its it just solely based upon peoples areas that Im reading this from?

I'm fortunate enough to attend full time and not have to 'work' necessarily, But I do plan on finding something part time to help with bills, Did any of you work full time / part time when you actually got into Nursing school or did you stop for that period to focus?

And other than that, Any tips, tricks, advice would be appreciated. I'm highly motivated to get A's in every class as i know its very competitive.

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1) It doesn't matter that you were lazy in high school as long as you are determined and motivated to complete your pre-reqs with high grades now. HS grades really only matter when getting into college, then once you're in they don't really matter again. The nursing program you apply to will most likely just look at your college-level work and make a decision based on those grades. You need to buckle down and get awesome grades to get into an actual nursing program because it's competitive! But you seem to be out of your laziness phase so you should be fine.

2) Many nurses are introverts. As long as you are comfortable talking 1 on 1 with your patients and their families and communicating with coworkers you will be fine. People usually don't appreciate getting their "ear talked off" anyway so I think as long as you can communicate effectively in the workplace you'll be just fine.

3) RN job markets 100% depend on the area. I read on here that some new grads have trouble getting a job after graduating, but in my state the job market is booming and I have no doubt I'll have a job lined up before my program is over.

4) I am currently in a BSN program and I'm working about .6-.8FTE which is pretty average among my classmates. It's not too bad- I mean it's hectic and stressful but doable. Especially when there is rent to pay!

Hope that helps! I would say the most important things to focus on are good grades and applicable work/volunteer experience you can add to your resume. Good Luck! :up:

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1) It doesn't matter that you were lazy in high school as long as you are determined and motivated to complete your pre-reqs with high grades now. HS grades really only matter when getting into college, then once you're in they don't really matter again. The nursing program you apply to will most likely just look at your college-level work and make a decision based on those grades. You need to buckle down and get awesome grades to get into an actual nursing program because it's competitive! But you seem to be out of your laziness phase so you should be fine.

2) Many nurses are introverts. As long as you are comfortable talking 1 on 1 with your patients and their families and communicating with coworkers you will be fine. People usually don't appreciate getting their "ear talked off" anyway so I think as long as you can communicate effectively in the workplace you'll be just fine.

3) RN job markets 100% depend on the area. I read on here that some new grads have trouble getting a job after graduating, but in my state the job market is booming and I have no doubt I'll have a job lined up before my program is over.

4) I am currently in a BSN program and I'm working about .6-.8FTE which is pretty average among my classmates. It's not too bad- I mean it's hectic and stressful but doable. Especially when there is rent to pay!

Hope that helps! I would say the most important things to focus on are good grades and applicable work/volunteer experience you can add to your resume. Good Luck! :up:

Thanks for the feedback, I noticed on your profile it said you're from the PNW? I'm assuming you're from the same state as me than :D. I noticed as well the job market here is very good from my research (Althought I prob wont be a RN until like 2020 lol

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Yep! Good ole' upper left hand corner. ;)

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Ahhh, I'm in that upper left corner, Near the olympics

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*dying

It's harder for a new grad to find a job in the exact place they want to work, but once you get a few years under your belt that changes.

Don't repeat your procrastination for your prereqs or in nursing school. Because then you're looking at having to retake them all, not getting into nursing school, or failing out of nursing school and being dismissed and not being considered by any other nursing school besides private, for-profit schools (which you should avoid like the plague).

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Yeah of course when I actually become a RN, I plan on applying everywheres, regardless of 'pay' I want to get work experience under my belt so I can eventually apply at big hospitals and not look like a deer in headlights lol

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