COVID-19: Now a good time to go to nursing school and become a nurse?

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I am a pre-nursing student wanting to go into nursing school this year or next. I have finished most of my pre-requisites and also have a bachelor's degree in biology. Are there any downsides into going into nursing school right now amidst the COVID pandemic? I would like to start working as a nurse right out of nursing school. Becoming a nurse is my goal but I am just concerned about whether COVID will impact anything.

Is nursing school run normally in hospitals now since we have the COVID vaccine or are all classes online? Thank you!

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Specializes in ICU.

Depends on the area. We have students in my hospital right now from my ADN program, I just am not sure if they have a modified clinical schedule or if they have restrictions on caring for covid patients. You could reach out to your local nursing schools and ask these questions. What state are you in? Is the surge bad in your area right now? We are overrun here in SoCal, and we still have students. 

Yes please come join us if you’re sure you want to be a nurse! It’s a tough time for sure, but get going and come be part of this crazy profession! 

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2 hours ago, 0.9%NormalSarah said:

Depends on the area. We have students in my hospital right now from my ADN program, I just am not sure if they have a modified clinical schedule or if they have restrictions on caring for covid patients. You could reach out to your local nursing schools and ask these questions. What state are you in? Is the surge bad in your area right now? We are overrun here in SoCal, and we still have students. 

Yes please come join us if you’re sure you want to be a nurse! It’s a tough time for sure, but get going and come be part of this crazy profession! 

Okay I understand. I assume that all nursing students will be given the COVID vaccine when they enroll and before they go in the hospital correct?

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Specializes in ICU.
10 minutes ago, Kara638 said:

Okay I understand. I assume that all nursing students will be given the COVID vaccine when they enroll and before they go in the hospital correct?

Hmm that I am not sure about, hopefully the nursing school would be able to tell you.

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Kara638, that really depends upon the nursing school.  In my area, some nursing students have been in the hospital without any vaccines.  Other nursing schools have had clinicals entirely online.  If you are applying to nursing school for the fall, you will hopefully be able to get the vaccine before beginning your clinicals.

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Everything is online, even labs. So no driving about.

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I’m currently on my senior year as a nursing student... on my last semester. My cohort was very lucky that our Professors were on top of things once COVID hit. We immediately began online classes, and within a few weeks we were doing virtual, that consisted of case studies, virtual simulations. Once we got the okay to return to clinicals we were ready, however they gave us the option to proceed or wait it out till this was all over (still going). Those who wanted to wait could continue with another cohort while the rest of us continued...luckily no one wanted to wait, we are nurse in training  so that was never a choice for me or any of my classmates.  We are not allowed to go into COVID rooms or treat patients with COVID or any isolation room, but the clinical experience is till there. We were giving the option to get the vaccine but we had to get it on our own time, school is not providing it. Some of got it, some still haven’t it’s been a mess trying to get an appointment for some, I was lucky and was able to get it.  But it’s not mandatory. Overall the whole process has been interesting, but luckily we are still pushing thru...can’t say that for other nursing programs. 
Our school has been able keep accepting new students, which is great, god knows we need more nurses. So my advise, if you get accepted into a program take it, just be safe wear your mask, keep your distance and make sure you practice good hygiene specially in clinicals. They will not make you work with patient who they know have COVID, and if you follow protocol you’ll be safe. 

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I don't think COVID will impact your education significantly one way or another.  All the indications are that we may start to see a few glimmers of "normality" within just a few months. 

What you should carefully consider, though, is what flavor of program you enter.  With your prior Biology degree, you're already ahead of the game.  So consider entering an accelerated (usually 18 month) program, to get your BSN.  In many areas of the country, hospitals are selective with credentials.  I know several RNs with a bachelors in another field, who opted for a much cheaper community college ADN program.  To a person, they regretted the decision, and spent years, dollars, and time, obtaining their BSN.

(I've never noticed much of a difference between ADN and BSN nurses.  I'm just pointing out a practical reality in competitive job markets.  This may or may not matter where you reside.)

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
On 3/6/2021 at 9:07 PM, Tozz said:

I know several RNs with a bachelors in another field, who opted for a much cheaper community college ADN program.  To a person, they regretted the decision, and spent years, dollars, and time, obtaining their BSN

My ADN program was one of the best investments I ever made. In my area there are well known community college programs that graduate nurses that are well prepared to hit the floor working with a realistic patient load. We all had 5 patients on our clinical assignments before graduation. Some of the BSN programs in my area never have nurses with more than 2 patients in clinicals, so they are a little behind the eight ball in terms of time management coming right out of school. Yes, in most cases they have to go back for their BSN, but the added cost savings by doing two years at the community college still saves tens of thousands of dollars. I would do it the same way again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone. 

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1 hour ago, JBMmom said:

My ADN program was one of the best investments I ever made. In my area there are well known community college programs that graduate nurses that are well prepared to hit the floor working with a realistic patient load. We all had 5 patients on our clinical assignments before graduation. Some of the BSN programs in my area never have nurses with more than 2 patients in clinicals, so they are a little behind the eight ball in terms of time management coming right out of school. 

I'm in full agreement. 

I don't think I made myself clear--if you're in a competitive job market, go for an accelerated program when you have another degree. 

Where I live, schools are churning out 4000+ new nurses per year within commuting range.  It's a buyer's market.  Most hospitals don't hire ADNs.  I realize this may be different depending upon where you live.  

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