Question involving pursuing nursing

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Hello! I am currently a senior in high school and while I have always wanted to be in the health care profession, I am only recently considering nursing. Previously I thought I would go pre-vet or pre-med, but veterinary medicine is a horrid financial decision and I don't think I want to go through so much schooling to be a doctor (or debt- and I like how nursing is more about treating the whole person opposed to just the illness). Anyways, I am taking CNA this year, but I'm going to have to declare my major when applying to colleges before I'm really along in the class, and from my knowledge you can't switch into nursing like switching majors normally (I was originally going to major in biology). So, should I try to gain admittance into nursing programs when applying now and if after CNA I decide it isn't for me switch back into biology? Or just go into biology like I normally planned and do an accelerated nursing program after I graduate should I decide I do indeed like it? Just not quite sure what direction I should take (totally open to other solutions/advice as well).

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Hi. Well it would help to know what state you are in, because it's hard to get into a nursing program anywhere, but some states are even harder (like California for example). There are requirements for a nursing program even an accelerated one after you obtained a bachelor's on biology or any other field. You'll need a good gpa and prerequisites. It seems like every school almost requires a TEAS entry test also. If you know the college you want to go to or if you have a few in mind start looking at their nursing requirements. Your first year of college won't be the main nursing classes so if it was me, I would apply for nursing and take the prerequisites that apply for gen ed and biology anyway. Good luck!

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Thanks! I live in Illinois btw, looking at schools in the midwest in general.

Also, I know some careers it kind of matters the school you go to, but is it that way in nursing? Cheap schools are higher on my list than more selective ones.

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I made a thread a month or so ago asking "does the school matter" if you want to look that up - but the answer is likely no. Just make sure it is accredited with a nursing accreditation organization. It should tell you right away on the school's nursing homepage. For example CCNE accreditation.

Also if you do get your pick you might want to look at their nclex pass rate.

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