What are helpful prequalifications?

[ocela09]

I am looking to get into my school's nursing program (applying April 2013) and want to get some certifications (and experience) before then to hopefully strengthen my application. I am starting a CNA course in a month and then after that my plans are to get certified in phlebotomy, as well as doing EKG and IV training. I know a lot if not most nursing programs require applicants to have CNA certification, but the program I am applying to does not. I think getting that certification (CNA) will help me regardless of lack of requirement. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA but I'm trying to focus on the task at hand - getting into the nursing program for my BSN first ! My concern is that having all the certifications will look bad like I'm flaky or something, as opposed to setting me apart. Any advice or recommendations on what programs/certifications I should focus on?

[leenak]

The school I want to go to looks at a number of things and although I don't have it, they do like volunteer work. Otherwise, they only look at your GPA and classes that are official pre-reqs. They don't look at any other classes. So focus on getting good grades in whatever prereqs that they state.

[qcc2011grad]

I second leenak comment I graduate from an A.S.N and they do not go into certification. They go mainly by

GPA pre nursing requirements , entrance exams , and interview . My school did pre admission exam after you have meet the GPA requirements . NLN entrance exam looks at the percentile scores , composite score for instance I had a 120 Composite score, the average composite score is 100 range is from 0 to 200 .

However getting acrediations is a plus but mostly when you finish nursing school and looking for a job . In my humble opinion EKG is going to help you set a good background on knowing dysrhythimis, and Iv certification or phlebotomy in that case is important as some hospitals are discontinuing iv team and nurses are starting their own access lines.