Aspiring RN student!

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I recently decided Nursing is the career I want for myself. I have been a caregiver (nanny) for the past 5 years and realized helping people is truly what I love to do. Finally deciding to go after my dream of becoming an RN is an amazing feeling! I am working on placement exams and will be signing up for the prerequisite classes for the spring semester. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to volunteer at a hospital or other health care facility while I am doing prerequisites to boost my Nursing School application? Or if volunteering was even an option available for someone with no health care experience. Appreciate any input!! Thanks yall!

Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
You might apply for a Paser position at a hospital. My suggestion would be get involved in research with a professor. When you get into clinicals you will be able to work as a CNA. GPA is always the biggest hitter for getting into schools. They won't care as much about experience (that's what you're attending their program for) they want to know you won't flunk out during clinicals.

1. What is a Paser? position? I'm not familiar with this term.

2. Not sure getting involved with research will help get into nursing school.

3. To work as CNA would need to go thru training for CNA first, but that would help with clinical experience once OP does start nursing school.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Nursing school admission is very competitive so anything you can do to add to your resume will help. Volunteering is a great option. Best of luck! :)

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i am in the exact same boat as you! i have been a nanny all through college and ever since i graduated a year and a half ago. i recently decided to pursue nursing and enrolled in classes for this semester and am going to finish my prereqs next semester. and taking the HESI tomorrow! i applied to volunteer at a hospital, which you can definitely do even if you haven't had any experience! it will look great on the applications and your resume, i'm sure. i think it shows you really want it, and that you are familiar with the environment. i'm trying to do all that i can to make my resume look good since all i have been is a nanny! we will see. good luck!!!

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i am in the exact same boat as you! i have been a nanny all through college and ever since i graduated a year and a half ago. i recently decided to pursue nursing and enrolled in classes for this semester and am going to finish my prereqs next semester. and taking the HESI tomorrow! i applied to volunteer at a hospital, which you can definitely do even if you haven't had any experience! it will look great on the applications and your resume, i'm sure. i think it shows you really want it, and that you are familiar with the environment. i'm trying to do all that i can to make my resume look good since all i have been is a nanny! we will see. good luck!!!

Oh my goodness! Soul sisters. Lol!! Can you take the HESI anytime before you apply or does It depend by college? I am going to the Nursing Department info meet on October 7th, have already spoken to an advisor and when I asked him if I could go over to the Health Careers Building to speak to someone who actually works in the nursing department he said I should just wait til oct 7th. I am going monday and trying to see if j can talk to someone at the HCB. I'm too anxious! And I spoke with a dear friend who has been a RN for years and said volunteering is great!! Best of luck to you!!! Hope you do good on your HESI!!

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I wouldn't take the HESI until you have completed anatomy and physiology unless you are already knowledgeable in those areas. I would check the nursing school's admission criteria. All but one of the schools I applied to considered your volunteer hours so I did volunteer. The schools I applied to seek 200+ hours of volunteering so I would recommend starting now and you can have it finished by the time you apply instead of having to complete it in a rush. Keep up your GPA, start looking at what the requirements and criteria are for admission and start working on boosting your application now. Good luck!

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Texas rosiee, what school are you planning to attend? I just enrolled this semester for my pre requisites.

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Texas rosiee, what school are you planning to attend? I just enrolled this semester for my pre requisites.

Hey! I am looking at 3 schools right now, but I'm taking my pre requisites at Kingwood college in the spring. Looking at kingwood, Montgomery and Lee colleges nursing programs. How about you?

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