Questions upon questions! High Schooler!

jfast · May 8, 2019

Many of these questions could be answered with the same response: "It depends". Depends on your strength in these areas, depends on the college you go to, etc. etc. etc. Here are some quick answers though from my perspective.

1. Yes. Nursing school is very rigorous. If it isn't a difficult program, it probably isn't a good program. Some extremely strong students make it look easy but even they will struggle at times (or at the very least will feel exhausted and overwhelmed at times). Like most things in life, just because it is hard doesn't mean it isn't worth it.

2. This one really does depend on the university but Statistics is many times a major math requirement. Where I work, that is the only college-level math required.

3. In my mind, this is the last thing to be worrying about right now. If you put the work in and choose a good program to attend, you will pass. Good nursing programs should help ensure that happens (again, as long as you do your part).

4. I work as an advisor in nursing and I would recommend knowing what you are getting into. That means preparing mentally for the difficulty but it also means doing some serious research on schools and picking one that fits you perfectly. You will be investing the next ___ years of your life into the place and that college should shape you into the kind of nurse (and person) you want to be. That is not a decision to be taken lightly.

5. My advice is start off working as little as you can and then increase hours incrementally if you feel you can handle it. The worst thing you can do is overload yourself from the beginning and find yourself with bad grades in your very first semester.

Schrmad23 · May 9, 2019

Thank you!

Thoenix · May 9, 2019

I highly recommend that you speak to your guidance counsellors about the nursing programs in your area. Getting through a four year school with a BSN or other bachelor's degree is something that's pushed very hard on high school students, but in my area at least the local hospitals and doctor's offices hire students from the 2 year community college program (which is also much cheaper) over the nearby 4-year programs (some of which come from a very well-renowned 4 year school) consistently because the area reputation is that the clinical education we receive at the community college program is much more stringent and produces better nurses. I've had several doctors ask me to put in my resume when I finish school.

It might be worth it to do a 2 year course followed by getting your BSN as a 'bridge' course, but you'll need to talk to your guidance counsellors at the very least about what your area schools' reputations are. You should look at the specific pre-requisites of any nursing school you are likely to apply to--every school needs slightly different things. I know that, long-term, doing a 2 year ADN followed by a BSN upgrade is going to be cheaper for me, I'll be working earlier and I will have less student debt. With the student debt crisis mounting, that's very important to take into consideration for whatever schooling you choose. Even if you are very fortunate and your parents can afford to pay for your college experience, there is no shame in living frugally from the beginning of adulthood.

Tiffc88, RN · May 9, 2019

1. Is nursing school hard?

* Yes! But it sounds like you're a smart girl so you should be fine. Just have confidence!

2. What math classes are required. (I am in advanced algebra right now, which is one step under pre-calc at my HS, however, I find it quite challenging)

*So my school doesn't require any math, it does require Biology so make sure you take biology as a senior. It'll be a prerequisite to anatomy and physiology that you will have to take in college. Can you do dual credit in high school. Seniors at high school can start taking college classes as a senior.

3. What if I don't pass the board exams? What are ways that I can prepare for them?

*The nursing program you decide to go with will help you prepare for that. You have more than one chance to pass but nursing exam questions are different then just memorization questions. You need to know the material and use critical thinking skills to answer these type of questions.

4. What are some tips you have from when you attended nursing school?

* Do not try to work full time. You may get away with part-time like I do but I have to work. If you don't have to then I wouldn't because it distracts you and you really need to make nursing school number one priority.

* Go into the program with confidence and kill em with kindness. If you make a mistake admit it and always ask for help if you need it.

* Look at ADN nursing programs but I would also recommend getting your CNA certification like now. You have to be 16 and it's usually a 7 week course.

5. How much do you advise I work each week? Is part-time manageable?

* I already answered this one;)