Can I Get a head start in my nursing career at an early age?

jsundhausen · Jan 29, 2014

Yes, you can! Volunteering at hospitals and other organizations is great for a resume later on and to get your foot in the door.

I got very ahead by getting a lot of my basics for nursing school done during highschool. I graduated highschool in May 2010, I took the needed science requirements over the summer, and entered into my ADN program in August 2010. I graduated with my ADN in May 2012, passed NCLEX and started working. I then immediately started my RN-BSN and graduated with that Dec 2013. I am only 21 years old with my RN, BSN with 1.5 years experience behind me. It was VERY tough at times, but it can be done!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

Good for you! :) Check with your state. I'm originally from Wisconsin and worked with several 16-yr-old CNAs.

Momofnurse9 · Jan 30, 2014

I have many suggestions for you, coming from a Mom's perspective, as you can see by my name! Try to take AP (Advance Placement) classes - you can test out of some basic college courses if you pass the exams, but they are HARD. Even if you end up not even taking the exam, it's great experience and looks good on your resume. My daughter took an AP Anatomy course, among others, and it really helped her with her Anatomy classes years later.

One girl my daughter graduated from HS with was the youngest EMT by the time she graduated! You can look into that, probably varies by state and area, I would assume you need to be 18 by the time you complete that.

Once you are 18, you can become a CNA which is very minimal (6 months?) training at your local community college.

One amazing thing my daughter did was connecting with a nursing group that travels to third world countries to give medical care. I am talking remote villages where the people line up waiting to get the only medical care they can get in a year. She did this right after graduating from college, and right before starting nursing school.

Of course, volunteering always looks great on your resume, and you can find many opportunities in medical related fields. Nursing homes, VA centers, hospices. Even if you are passing out magazines and delivering flowers, you can learn a lot if you keep your eyes open, and ask questions, when appropriate.

Good luck! The world needs people like you! It will be the hardest thing you will ever do, up to this point - the classes, exams, the anxious waiting for "the letter"! But keep your eye on the prize, it will be worth it! : )

Also - from a Mom's point of view - to know what you want to do at such a young age is fantastic, but please keep an open mind and listen to your heart in case you decide you want to do something else. : )

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

Becoming a nursing assistant would indeed give you a huge head start on your nursing career. It will provide valuable experience and insight.

Good for you for asking!

Good luck!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

When I was your age, I volunteered at my local hospital 2 afternoons/week for the summer.

Billy_Ruben · Jan 30, 2014

My daughter is your age. You sound a lot like her. She volunteers her summer at our large teaching hospital. She's also taking some of the classes now that she'll need in college such as anatomy and physiology and statistics. We're currently looking into a dual enrollment program for college. She takes school a lot more seriously than I did at her age and makes mostly A's, some B's. I'd advise the same for you. Shadow a nurse if you can. When you're old enough apply to be a CNA. It will certainly help you.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

You see I just signed up at this site because I thought it would be a could source of guidance in my nursing journey. I am only 15 years old and therefore still in high school, but I am very serious about what I want to do. I have friends and we do hang out, but I think out of all of them I am the only one that is seriously thinking about the future.
What I want to know is if it is possible to either start studying my nursing courses early or maybe become a nursing assistant. I know that I am still a bit young, but I am the kind of person that has a hard time waiting when I have it in my head. My Gear UP councilor has talked to about FASFA, and scholarships, and the prospects of college and nursing. I also volunteer and am currently looking for a job so I can hopefully fit the standards a nurse should.
I am really looking forward to this because both my grandma and my aunt are nurses. Plus I love taking care of people, so I just can't wait! I hope that you can help me figure out what I should do.

good for you....nursing is very competitive. The trend now is to have a BSN as a new grad....many facilities are NOT hiring ADN/ASN grads in many areas of the country. The job market right now is tight even for nurses.....hopefully it will be better in the future for you and my daughter.

What I have learned during my daughters process. Take as many AP and honors courses as you can. (they count for more) Heavy on the science, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and math. Algebra, trig, statistics and/or physics.

Take the SAT early and get as high as you can in critical reading and MATH. At least 1100 on those two combined. Take them again and again (something I didn't know) to get the BEST score possible.

Volunteer, be involved in high school clubs see if your school has HOSA. Keep a A/B GPA of AT LEAST 3.2.