Advice for a Prospective Student in Nursing

jhks9w · Jul 9, 2014

I passed my HESI entrance exam last February, Amber, and was accepted into nursing school last spring for this fall. To really get a head start, I would recommend that you take any AP (Advanced Placement) classes in biology or chemistry your HS has to offer. Our college (Yavapai College, Prescott, Arizona) has the highest NCLEX pass ratio of all nursing schools in Arizona, and they really push the Anatomy and Physiology more than anything else. Our HESI had only A&P in the science section for entrance to the School of Nursing, and many cannot pass the A&P section. But if you do well in sciences, you'll do just fine. Strong, full year of A&P highly recommended.

Good luck to you.

Scott Baxter

Student Nurse

nurseablog.com

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 10, 2014

I can't help you with the schools that you are looking at entering, but I wanted to pass along some advice about nursing school and/or the nursing profession.

If you surf some forums including this one, you can sometimes be subjected to a lot of negative feelings and resentment. Take it with a grain of salt, many people get frustrated with situations and voice it openly on forums with anonymity. This can be a place that people can find solutions and advice about their problems and at times it may appear to be that people are entirely negative about nursing.

I have to say, this isn't always the truth about the profession or nursing school in general. Lot of times we here on the forum don't hear about the good times or even on occasion express how happy we are being nurses. There is a category on here that is dedicated to the positive aspects of nursing. I might suggest visiting there and taking in the positive points of nursing.

So what I want to say is, like every other profession, it is what you make of it. If you choose to see the worst, then you will succeed. If you understand that everything in life will never be unicorns and roses and know that life is more of a roller coaster ride you will be able to focus on the good in nursing experiences.

Yes, my feet hurt when I get home sometimes and I do get frustrated about missing lunch many days. But I love being a nurse and I do get paid fairly well to be there for people when they really need it. They don't always appreciate it but I know I did the best that I could for them. There is good and bad in everything.

So next time you read a negative post know that there is always a good side.

Balto · Jul 10, 2014

First, please, please change your username & picture to something more anonymous! There have been many threads on this site regarding this issue.

happyinmyheart · Jul 10, 2014

Although I have not looked into these schools, I believe I have some general advice you could benefit from :)

1. Look into every school deeply. What type of grades do you need to get into the program? Is there a wait list? Is there any way you can be admitted early? How difficult is it to be admitted? Are you admitted on only GPA, or is it based on a point system? (Note- getting into the nursing program is FAR more difficult than being accepted to the college) (many times you apply to the program after soph yeah)

*****I just graduated high school as well. I decided to attend a college when I received "early acceptance". This means that as long as I keep my GPA above a 3.0, my spot in the nursing program will be held for me when the time comes. Only 2 of the 5 schools I applied to had this type of program. All programs I looked into said you needed a minimum 3.8 GPA after your first two years of college to stand a change to get in the program. Many of them only took around 30 out of 600 applicants.... Not to scare you. But food for thought.

2. How many years will you graduate in? Yes, a Bachelors Degree in Nursing should only be 4 years right? Wrong!! Many of the schools I looked at promised graduation in 4.5 years instead of 4. I chose a a college with only a 4 year program. Personal preference.

3. What are the NCLEX pass rates? Are they high? The higher the pass rates, the better the program. This is the general rule of thumb. The "prestige" of how good the college is doesn't matter in Nursing. The only thing that matters is if you pass the NCLEX, learn a ton in nursing school and graduate.

4. I recommend becoming a CNA or a tech. This can make you more desirable to schools that are based on a point system. I became a CNA my junior year of high school. It was a great idea! I got an idea of what the nursing profession was all about. I highly recommend it :)

5. As it was said above... Change your profile pic and username to something confidential. If you want to post on this forum in the future-- protect your identity now.

If you have any more questions just ask- I research lots and I have read AllNurses inside and out. I'm no professional (or even a nurse) but I sure know my nursing school info :)

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2014

Go to the school you like. Enjoy the time. No one will care whether your BSN is from Univ. of Tenn or Univ. Of Michigan. No one. Look at costs, cost of living near the school. I went to college in Washington DC and the school was expensive, but what really was expensive was living in DC. So..think about that as well. Enjoy it and have some fun while working hard. As far as appealing to nursing school.. GET GOOD GRADES. Work hard, be polite, be professional. You will do great. Good luck.