Thinking about pursuing nursing, but I have no clue what to do.

[GoWithTheFro]

Hello everyone,

I graduated from high school in 2013 (A year early) and took a couple of gap years in between graduation and when I wanted to start college. I used the gap years to try and determine what direction I wanted to take my education in. I decided that I want to help people, and I am thinking that maybe nursing is the way to go. However, I am super confused as to where to begin. QCC has a very long waiting list for their nursing program, and I am very eager to begin my education. I don't really have anyone helping me or guiding me on into college, and nobody in my family has any experience with nursing. Everyone in my family has always gone into business and finance.

Does anyone have any advice for me on where to start and what colleges to look at? As a nurse, do you enjoy your job?

[caliotter3]

Check out the websites of all the local programs and print out the requirements for each program. Attend information sessions and make appointments with nursing advisors. Meanwhile, no matter what program you pursue, you will have to start with the prerequisites and basics for the degree. Nothing stops you from getting started. Take the diagnostic exams required for math and English to see where you place. Get common general ed classes out of the way first, such as English 101. Freshman English is Freshman English and is required for all programs. Later on, start with your sciences so that they have the most recency. Most schools have a time limit on science courses, such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology. As you progress with your prerequisites, you will start to get an idea of which programs you want to apply to, or which you want to concentrate on first. Good luck.

[frenchtoastwaffles, BSN, RN]

I'm a student at QCC. Most schools require nursing students to complete "pre requisites. For QCC those classes are as follows:

Anatomy and Physiology 301

Anatomy and physiology 302

College Algebra

Sociology

Psychology

Human growth and development (aka lifespan psychology)

English 101

English 102

You must also take a pre entrance exam: NLN PAX and score around a 110 or higher.

All grades must be above a C and your GPA for English 101, psych 101, math 119, and a&p 301 must be at least a 3.0.

Start school and jump into your prereqs. Once you are almost done with those, you can apply to the clinical program. If you're looking to apply to other schools, be sure to consult their websites or give them a call about their prereqs as every school is a little different.

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Not many people have others "guiding me on into college". You are now an adult and it is up to you to "figure it out".

Like people say check out the website and call the school and ask to set up a time to meet with a counselor who helps lay out what you may need to do.

I would say if "helping people" is your plan you really should consider a multitude of ways. Nursing is high stress, long hours, and requires major decisions made quickly. Nurses administer medications that if given incorrectly can cause major injuries to patients.

Go to the school. Get facts. Good luck!