Senior in High School and just got accpetance letter into nursing school!!!

__patiently_waiting · Dec 8, 2013

Congrats on the acceptance :), I think you may have mistaken your college acceptance letter for a letter of acceptance into nursing school. You have to take prerequisites, an entrance exam, & apply to nursing school before actually getting accepted... Or did you actually get accepted into a nursing school? If so, please give me details lol.

lyssak · Dec 8, 2013

I'm about 99% sure I got accepted into the nursing program. I applied directly to the nursing program and this college does not require an entrance exam (maybe because it is a private school)? But I talked to the admissions officer and he said " Congrats! You have been accepted into the Nursing Program". I hope so! I would be devastated! :arghh:

__patiently_waiting · Dec 8, 2013

Oh ok. I go to a public university so maybe it is a little different. At my 4 year school we have to take prerequisites for 2 years, and the other 2 years we will spend in nursing school. Maybe someone else on this site can elaborate on that a little more, but in the mean time you may want to contact someone from that school to be 100% sure it's for nursing school acceptance. To answer your questions:

1)There are many students that come straight from high school, but most of the time there will be a mix of ppl in between all ages.

2)While taking pre-reqs, for me, most of the professors I've had didn't even know my name or face because they had so many students. But you will need to get well acquainted with your professors, make good grades and show them how bad you want it, and they'll take you serious.

3)Living on campus depends. How far do you live from your school? If you're moving to another state/city it would be more convenient for you to live on campus--unless you can find somewhere off campus in close proximity that's much cheaper than on campus living. I don't live on campus because my school is 15 minutes away from my house. At my school it's mandatory for freshman to live on campus unless you're from a couple of the close surrounding counties.

4)Just enjoy your time off for now! But a couple of weeks from the start of school, if you can, try to get your hands on a class syllabus which will tell you what you need to study.

5)Depending on your class schedule and how well you manage your time you might be able to work. Next semester will be my first time working since starting college in Fall 2012.

6)For starters, start off with the normal stuff. Paper, pens, pencil, caculator, maybe a laptop.

iPink, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2013

Congrats on your acceptance! Enjoy your last few days of freedom. Do not stress, don't lose sleep because when school starts you may experience all of the above then. However, as an incoming freshman, you will be receiving information about orientation. When you go, you may get syllabus information from professors. If possible, get the books that are required before first day of class. You don't want to be surprised when your professor feels "inspired" on the first day and teaches a full lesson from the assigned chapters. :/

Every nursing program has their curriculum, but I can only assume you'll be taking the basics the first two years of the program and then get into clinicals and lots of group projects in the final two. When it comes to group projects, make sure you get to know your classmates early on and their work ethics. You don't want to be in a group with people who will not pull their weight.

Don't worry about being a perfect straight A student. Your priority is to learn and apply. Don't get me wrong, reach for the sky in terms of your grades, but your nursing GPA will only be relevant when you decide to apply for grad school. Other than that, you officially become an RN when you've passed the NCLEX and that's what nursing school prepares you for.

Age is not a factor when it comes to nursing school and nursing in general. In my BSN program, from the youngest to the oldest person, there was a 20+ year age gap.

Good luck.

Theor23 · Dec 8, 2013

Let me tell you this, congratulations! I'm pretty sure a BSN is 2 years of pre-reqs then nursing school. Might be different in other states. Tomorrows my birthday and I will be 23, and will be basically starting from scratch to get into nursing school LET ME TELL YOU four years goes by VERY fast. I only wish I could have applied to nursing school out of HS. I didn't try in high school, thought it was a waste of time. I was so very wrong, and have to start later in life. Stay strong, stay positive. Once your done school, not only will you land a job, but you will be able to LIVE ON YOUR OWN (if you choose) and make $30/hr right out of school. If I were you, live at home and save money. Once your out, live with your parent's for 2 years and pay off that loan asap! I'm going to assume a BSN will be between $30-60k. Your going to make $60k/year anyways, just get it out of the way. Just think of it this way, in 4 years you won't be working a dead end job at $10/hr and won't be thinking "I want something more outta life" Nursing is a career that I see not for only good pay and benefits, but more importantly helping people in life, giving back if you will. I want to wish you the very best, and you WILL SUCCEED!

iPink, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2013

OP, not all states pay new grads $30/hr. You will find differences in pay at different hospitals in your state.

Best_Name_Ever · Dec 8, 2013

First of all, CONGRATS!!!!

I was also accepted into a 4 year BSN program at a state university straight out of high school. I took all of my "pre-reqs" at the same time as my nursing classes, and I didn't have to take an entrance exam. I was taking A&P along with foundations, so that might be how your school is!

When I started, about half of my class was students straight out of high school and half were mid-20s and up. The professors don't care how old you are as long as you are responsible and respectful. All students are treated the same.

As far as living on campus, it depends how far from home you are. If you are far, then I would suggest living on campus for at least your first year. You will meet a lot of people & will learn where good places are to live and who you want to live with! If you don't have a roommate, they should be able to pair you up with someone also in the nursing program.

As far as supplies, I would bring a notebook, syllabus, and pen to class. There usually is no need to lug all of your heavy textbooks around to class. You can always ask the first day of class if bringing your book is recommended. The professors usually will send you an email or post to blackboard (if your school uses that) right before classes start to let you know if they want you to bring something.

The nursing school will notify you of other supplies you will need. We were required to buy scrubs(in our school colors), a stethoscope, pen light, & dressing scissors.

Most of this will be covered in either orientation or future mail/email. So don't sweat it. You will be hearing more soon!!

Good Luck!

Theor23 · Dec 8, 2013

True, very true. Only reason I said that was I know 2 guys who graduated and landed jobs at $30/hr. Every state is different, but either way...still beats working a dead end job! lol

DadStudentPerhaps · Dec 9, 2013

There are indeed schools that you can be accepted into without taking an entrance exam. Baptist has a 4 year BSN program where you can enter straight out of HS; no TEAS or other entrance tests required. They will instead look at your HS transcript. The first two years will be learning what amounts to general pre-Reqs. Depending on how well you do the first two years will determine if you will be placed into clinical classes after that point. Don't stress over the other stuff. Everyone has apprehension about going from HS to College. Just go in with an open mind and a good study habit and you will be fine. As far as working, you will probably be able to find PT work to fit around your schedule at college. Just don't let yourself fall behind, especially in your Science, Math, and Nursing classes. It is very difficult to catch up! If you live on campus, don't get sucked into the "party all the time" crowd. Allow yourself some fun time, just not at the expense of your grades. Good Luck!

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2013

I was also accepted into a 4 year BSN program at a state university straight out of high school. I took all of my "pre-reqs" at the same time as my nursing classes, and I didn't have to take an entrance exam. I was taking A&P along with foundations, so that might be how your school is

My program was the same. 95% were straight out of high school.

lyssak · Dec 14, 2013

Thanks everybody for the feedback!

In fact, I just visited the college today and I absolutely loved it! It was small and cozy just what I was looking for. I live about 10 miles away from the school so commuting would be quite convenient. But, I'm thinking about at least trying to live their to meet new people and get the whole "college experience". Essentially, I'm not referring to the whole partying experience but just the fact of living at school and getting involved. However, my boyfriend of four years does not like that idea. He's a couple years older than me and never went to college ( he has a full time job making $20hr). He wants me to move in with him but I really don't know what I want to do!