Want to be a nurse, suggestions on how to get started?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 2, 2010

Wish I had been smart enough to ask that question at your age! I recommend you concentrate on science and math courses. If you like to do outside reading, like in the summer, try "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down", "The Ghost Map" and any other books about medicine or nursing. I get used books from Amazon.com but you might find them free in the library. Another book is Gray's Anatomy Coloring Book. Has nothing to do with the TV show. The book is really a coloring book that helps you learn names of bones and muscles, etc. At some point you will need to talk to your school advisor or one at a local college about college courses. You can save that for later in high school. GOOD LUCK!

WannabeNurse(: · Dec 2, 2010

Great, thank you for your suggestions! I will definitely check out that Gray's Anatomy Coloring Book, too :) I'm actually attempting to get into a high school for people who want to go into medical professions. That would really help me out so I'm hoping to get in!

Thanks again!

~WannabeNurse(:

KarrieH · Dec 2, 2010

As suggested Math and Science but make sure that your science is biology but also chemistry and it will help out greatly. Once you are old enough to work go and take a course to become a Certified Nursing Assistant this will help you get a job in medicine and you can get a feeling for it. Mind you it is not the same as being a nurse but will put you in the enviroment, let you experience the terminologies and basic patient care. Keep on asking questions and getting advice and you will do great, when you get ready to start high school go to your local college and set up an appt with an advisor and ask them to help you figure out what courses will be most beneficial for you to take.

IHeartPeds87 · Dec 3, 2010

I totally second the CNA suggestion....I could be wrong but I believe you can do this before you get a high school diploma, which would make it a great summer/part time job. This will help with several things:

- some nursing programs require it, so you will have gotten that out of the way

- It will help you see what the field is really like, so you can assess for yourself if this is really what you want to do. Not to be a buzz kill, but nursing is tough and definitely isn't for everyone, so really getting any experience you can to show you what its like to be a nurse would be really helpful. It would also prepare you for the environment of nursing!

Talk to your high school counselor about your ambitions, and start scouting out programs. One thing about nursing programs are that the requirements vary GREATLY from one program to the next. Your counselor should be able to assist you with this.

Do as well as you can in school. I can tell you this- while you do always have time to change, bad grades can and do limit you. Even if you turn your life around later and do better later on, bad grades do end up limiting you in some way or the other. I was one such student...I didn't do so great in college my first time around but I picked my life up and my grades right along with it. Still, I would be lying if I said my poor gpa didn't effect me...it kept me out of some programs and limited where I could apply. So try your best in every single class, because a good gpa can also open doors!

See what your financial opportunities are in terms of college. If finances aren't an issue, I highly suggest you get your BSN (baccaleurate in nursing). If finances are an issue, look into community college programs for your nursing degree, ASN (associates in nursing).

I just have to say, good for you for thinking about your future when you are so young. I am highly impressed :)

One last thing, while i think it's great that you know what you want to do, be sure not to limit yourself so young. I know friends of mine who had decided really young what they wanted to do career wise, and they ended up almost closing themselves into a box.

You are young; make sure not to miss out on experiences and other options.

Sorry to be preachy; I don't mean to be!

Good luck, and like I said, I am already really impressed :)

RachH · Dec 3, 2010

I also think that it's wonderful that you're thinking about becoming a nurse so early. I'm in nursing school right now, and I wish I had your forethought. :)

A medical professions high school is a wonderful choice! There is one here in Houston, and I remember hearing that they allow you to get your CNA license in school. If you get your CNA license, you can work as a CNA during the summers. The pay is pretty good, you'll get a "real" look at what nursing is like, and it will look great on your resume when you apply to nursing school.

Also, consider a Bachelors in Nursing (BSN,) since you're young enough to have fewer responsibilities that stop you. It seems that the profession is trending in that direction and it will allow you the choice to pursue a graduate degree as you get older. A BSN usually consists of two years of college prerequisites, followed by two years of nursing school. Below is a list of the prerequisites that I was required to take in order to apply for my BSN program, but prerequisites can vary depending on the school, so talk to your school counselor about the schools in your area. See if any of these are available at your high school for college credit or if you can do them at your local community college for dual-credit, and I bet you can get a lot of them out of the way before you graduate!

Anatomy

Physiology

Growth and Development

Microbiology

English I

English II

Chemistry

Statistics

Intro to Sociology

Nutrition

US History 1

US History 2

US Government

Texas Government

Intro to Psychology

Fine Arts

College Algebra

Elective

Philosophy

Speech

Pharmacology

Good luck!

WannabeNurse(: · Dec 3, 2010

Thank you all so much! Becoming a CNA is a great suggestion that I will certainly look into when I am old enough. While it is not the same as a CNA, I tried to volunteer at a local hospital and told them how serious I was about it but they said sophomore in high school is the lowest age that they allow people to volunteer :uhoh3: Oh well. I'm going to talk to another hospital nearby and see what they say.

And I will definitely have fun and be a kid while I can Because once you're not a kid anymore there's no way to go back and redo it!

I've definitely been working hard in school so that I can get into the medical professions high school (crossing my fingers!), and if I get in there, I will work hard as well. No matter what high school, I will definitely try to do the best that I can.

Thanks for the information about the prerequisite courses you had to take, HawkinsRV. So, first you have to become an RN, then you take the prerequisite courses? Sorry, I'm a bit confused, haha!

Thanks again for the compliments and suggestions, everybody. Sorry for lumping all the replies into one message, but I think it's pretty clear which message is for who :) I'll definitely look into becoming a CNA and hopefully the next hospital will accept me as a volunteer (or a candy striper, haha ).

~WannabeNurse(:

RachH · Dec 3, 2010

Thanks for the information about the prerequisite courses you had to take, HawkinsRV. So, first you have to become an RN, then you take the prerequisite courses? Sorry, I'm a bit confused, haha!

Not quite! There are two paths to becoming a Registered Nurse. At the end of both courses of study you would take the exact same exam to become a nurse: the NCLEX-RN. The choice for most people is based on their financial resources, family situation, etc.

1. Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A BSN is a four year degree. The first two years are prerequisites (classes that you must take in order to APPLY for nursing school.) Most people take these prerequisites at their local community college, but I said earlier, you could probably get quite a few done in high school. After you finish your prerequisites you can then apply to nursing school at a university. If you are accepted, you will then have another two years of nursing-specific classes.

2. Associate's Degree (ADN)

An ADN is a two-year degree and is usually done at a community college. For most of the ADN programs here in Texas, there are 1-2 semesters of prerequisites. Then you may apply for an ADN program through your local community college. If you are accepted, you will then take two years of nursing-specific classes.

Both ADN and BSN offer the same license (RN) and usually around the same salary when you become a nurse. There is a huge inflammatory debate about which is a "better" education, and you can search about it on old AllNurses threads. My opinion is that a RN is a RN, no matter the degree, the differences are in the job prospects not the nursing skill. The ADN route is a much cheaper option, since community colleges are really reasonably priced and they will allow you to become an RN a lot faster.

However, as I understand, you have a much better chance of becoming a manager or having a leadership role if you have a BSN, and it seems like the nursing profession is trending toward making BSN the norm. Plus, if you want to go to graduate school one day to become an Advanced Practice Nurse (like a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Anesthetist) you must get your BSN to proceed with your studies. Since you're young, I'd really suggest the BSN route, because it will allow you more choices in the future. Plus, going back to school only gets harder as you age and have more responsibilities.

WannabeNurse(: · Dec 3, 2010

Thanks so much for all the information, HawkinsRV! While it was a bit confusing at first you made things nice and clear - it's very much appreciated!

~WannabeNurse(:

cbcle · Dec 6, 2010

My hats off to you for knowing what you want to do! Do any high schools in your area offer vocational training? I have heard of a few schools that offer CNA training and even LPN training. The big advantage is that not only do you graduate high school with a marketable skill with which to support yourself through college, but the training is usually free at a public school!

Also, get some volunteer experience, meet people, network with other nurses so that when the time comes to get into a program or get a job you know people who might be able to pull some strings for you or offer help and advice. Good luck to you! I wish you a happy career as a nurse. :-)

WannabeNurse(: · Dec 6, 2010

Thank you! I'm trying to get into a medical professions high school as I mentioned before, but I don't think the actual school offers CNA and LPN training. I will check into it, though. If not, I'll have to take that training elsewhere :)

Great suggestions! Luckily, there are many nurses in our family who live nearby so they may be able to help me out when it comes to getting positions.

Thanks again!

~WannabeNurse(:

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 7, 2010

In addition to the high school courses listed above, take at least 2 years of a language class if you are not billingual--highly recommend Spanish ( my HS French helped out only 1x in 30 yrs).

Classes in safe babysitting + CPR may be available at your age, can help you grow as a teenager and can be listed on college applications.

Good luck!