High School Junior

I would probably post this in the PA section and you will most likely get more responses than on the general pre-nursing forum.

But to answer a few of your questions -- being a male does not help one get into a nursing school. I am a male and I assure you that I had to bust my butt with my pre-nursing classes, just like everyone else. :)

The most important aspect of getting into nursing school is maintaining very high grades in all of your pre-nursing classes. Although difficult, you want to maintain as close to a 4.0 as possible. It may seem impossible when faced with your science classes (especially anatomy & physiology and microbiology), but it can be done with a lot of hard work. :)

I see you are a high school junior currently -- if I were you, I would see if your school offers a nursing vocational class your senior year (many high schools over a nursing vocational class where upon completion you are eligible to sit for your certified nursing assistant boards). Or perhaps you could see if you could take a CNA class over the summer between your junior & senior year to get an idea of what nursing entails. If none of that is possible, I would ask if you could volunteer at a hospital and/or shadow a few nurses.. just to assure yourself that this is something you want to get into.

I agree with sistermike. Some high schools offer a "Intro to Health Careers Class" (or something like that) which is dedicated solely to seniors with healthcare interests. In that class, you are able to job shadow in many different depts and enviornments and figure out what your interests are. Also, lots of high schools have Vo-Tech school affiliations, through this you may be able to enroll in Vo Tech for your senior year and come out being an LPN, CNA, or have your first year in for RN or Respiratory Tech.

I only know of 3 PA schools that are in the southeastern part of PA (I live there) Penn State, Millersville University and Lancaster General College. Im sure theres TONS more.

Good Luck.

i don't know anything about pa, but i just wanted to say good luck to you. i think it's great that you are actively looking into your future while in high school. many teens are worried about other things. i commend you for looking forward....good luck!!!

hello, i hope somene can help me .. i am a high school junior and my guidence counsler told me to make a list of colleges that id like to know more about for nursing .. im planning to go for four years to get my bsn ... i was wanting to stay in pennsylvania for college and i was wondering if someone could tell me some good coleges for nursing in pa .. i am an average student about 3.4 gpa .. also since i am a male , will it be harder or a little easier to get into a good nursing school or nursing at all .. any advice would be great !!

It really depends on the area you want to attend. There are many great programs. I've heard good things about Gwenyd Mercy. Also some considerations would be Credar Crest- they have a BSN program.

Also hospital based schools give you a diploma- still an RN, and have aggreements with colleges to continue onto your BSN. I currently attend Reading Hospital School of Nursing, and our non-nursing courses are taught by Kutztown university, so our aggreement is with Kutztown for transfer of credit and clock hours toward our BSN if we choose to go that route. Abington Dixon is also a hospital based school. I am not sure, but it is just what I have heard, that Hospital based schools have you more prepared for bedside nursing.

Any school you choose you can do well, that lies within yourself.

Best of luck to you

I wish i would have started when i was a junior. They still say im on similac though but its never too early to start looking. Temple is very good with nursing, Upenn and drexel have excellent programs. Always remember your parents know best! and you will thank them later. Community has diploma programs but for someone starting from where you are...keep on with BSN you'll have much more doors open for you.

Wishing you well :)

Jefferson is building a whole new area to their school that is supposed to be really awesome. I went to their orientation recently and was really impressed but could not go because of a schedule conflict. Check it out!

I would definately recommend saving some money and going to a community college first and getting your pre requisites out of the way.. I know everyone wants to go to a big university when they graduate but i took this route and it saved me so much money..Then transfer to a 4 yr where you can gte your BSN...Right now I am a Senior at Thomas Jefferson university and Love it!!.. but Gwynedd Mercy is a good school, Drexel is a 5 yr program, Widener I heard also has a goo dnursing program... good Luck!!

Actually community has a good nursing program and u can become a rn right from there