What do colleges look for a person who wants to be a RN

mcknis · Mar 20, 2008

Depends on the college you are looking at. Most colleges (undergrad or tech/community) will look for a balance between math, science, history, english, etc. A well-rounded college prep load will look great on a college application. Look around here on the net and see what may colleges are desiring. Some may vary ever so slightly. I do recommend getting a good balance of coursework in high school (not specializing yet) because you may still change your mind.

Before college (when I was still a Sophomore in HS), I knew that I was going to become a police officer. So I started all my coursework geared towards that area. A month or so after I graduated from HS, I decided I was going to try my hand in the health care field. I look at my experience as not wasting 3 yrs, but rather gaining 3 yrs of experience in another career that I can always go back to. (believe it or not, my law enforcement training has come in handy more times than I would have ever imagined.)

lmRNstudent08 · Mar 20, 2008

Do you think i should drop either spanish 3, allied health 2 and try to fit in Human Anatomy or just wait till my senior year. What would colleges for in classes in a student? I have heard the more science class you have the better. Also does taking College prep class, or Honors class matter?

Drop spanish 3- you don't need it at all. I would suggest taking human anatomy. I took that in high school, and I can't tell you how much more I knew than everyone else for my first A&P class in college. I did not have to worry about studying the stuff I already knew which is great because there is so many other things to study for in college. I am not sure if you should drop the allied health class. We did not have this at my high school, but we learned medical terminology in human anatomy in high school. As far as to what colleges look for in classes in a student- they don't really say "well we don't want her for nursing if she didn't take human anatomy in high school". I know for us in Louisiana we can get TOPS if we make a good GPA which pays for tuition for any college in the state of Louisiana. For TOPS we were required to have 2 foreign languages (ex: French I and II), 3 maths, 1 fine arts, 4 histories, 3 sciences, 4 englishes, and 2 P.E.'s I don't know the requirements to get into college for other states; I believe it varies. I also don't really know about the college prep class thing because I went to a college prep school. Every class we took was college prep. If I were to guess, I would say a college prep class would benefit you because if I compared myself to others in the class I was doing better than them. But keep in mind, I am going to the # 1 rated nursing school in Louisiana so that may have been why other people struggled. So a college prep class may not benefit you. Sorry if I have confused you. Just thought you would want as much information as possible. Good Luck

HieuNgu1155 · Mar 20, 2008

Thank you for all the information you provided. Im going to take you advice, and drop Spanish 3. I might just add human and anotomy. Spanish 3 was what was bothering with me allot cause i was afraid it would ruin my gpa. Any other suggestions? more science class in?

coolpeach · Mar 20, 2008

What I was told is that they want a person who can handle the pressure, and workload while making good grades. Someone who won't drop out (regardless of the reason).

The school I am applying to looks at your GPA, and your GPA for four pre reqs. You must have a 2.5, but that will not be enough to make you competitive. They only take 30 students so a 3.8 - 4.0 is really what you need.

They give you points for all the support courses you have taken on a list. You do not need to have taken them to apply, but you will not get in if you have not taken almost all of them. I think most people who get in have taken all but maybe 1 or 2 if not all.

The majority of points comes from the pre entrance Hesi A2 where you need a 75 to apply. Everyone who I have talked to who has gotten in has gotten an A.

In addition you must pass a drug screen/ background screen so they are looking for some one who isn't on drugs, and hasn't been involved in criminal activity.

You also have to get all your vaccinations, take a CPR class, and a medical physical ...so I am guessing someone in good health who can be on their feet a lot, and do a little lifting.

They also make it known that if you work more than 1/4 time its will be frowned upon. The program requirments are such that even working 1/2 time you won't do well. So I am guessing someone who has either saved enough money, is able to get loans, or has relatives who can support them through the year 1/2 of clinicals.

There are also very strict limitations on how many days you can miss. I believe I read it was 3 days over the entire time period. So someone who doesn't get sick a lot, and if they do they come to school anyway. Also someone who if they have children have alternate arrangements for them in case of emergency/illness so they can come/stay at school.

My school also has a rule that you MUST show proof of medical insurance to be accepted. I am thinking they do this so you can get to a DR if you get sick, and get back to school.

HieuNgu1155 · Mar 20, 2008

Thank you so much for your help. Im starting to get what i really need now. What kind of classes you take? What college did u apply for? Im going to volenteer at the hospital, and i have work at a nursing home. Im very athletic.... Any suggestions for me? I really wanted to be a Rn then work my way up to a CRNA

jelorde37 · Mar 21, 2008

i went to a tech school straight from high school so i can have a career. they looked for someone who is well rounded and able to handle to stress involved with the nursing field. at the community college and university level, grades, test scores, and certainty in your major count because they are there to award degrees and do not want freshmans that change their major 6 times. well atleast, thats what the DON at the college im going to told me. good luck and keep doing what your doing, you got a good head on your shoulders.

jon lvn