Whats my next step after I get my GED?

PurpleLover · Nov 21, 2013

Well, can you get into nursing school with a GED?

The answer is yes. How do I know? I have a GED and I was just accepted into nursing school.

You are 14. I would suggest you look into your school system and see if they offer an online school so you can obtain your diploma. They do offer that kind of school in my area, so it may be in your area as well.

Good luck

CDEWannaBe · Nov 21, 2013

Online high schools really are a good option. You're going to need really good algebra and chemistry skills to apply to nursing school. If you go the GED route then you're smart to take classes at a community college, since you are too young to live on a university campus anyway.

The community college will be less expensive and you can transfer your credits to a university if you want to get a bachelor's degree from a university.

mrsboots87 · Nov 21, 2013

Id say go the community college route first for your pre reqs. You can always apply for a University RN program, but either way you need the pre reqs done and they are cheaper at a community college.

mrsboots87 · Nov 21, 2013

Also, most schools only require a HS diploma OR a GED, do having a GED shouldn't hinder your ability to get into NS. They look at your pre req GPA for admission, so a HS diploma with GPA is not necessary unless you want go all 4 years at a UNI, and even then you can just take the SAT and/or ACT for admission without a diploma.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2013

As someone who was homeschooled, I would discourage you from getting a GED. There is actually a federal law stating if homeschoolers complete high school they are able to have a high school diploma which is issued by your family. All schools are required to accept this, and should not be requiring you to get a GED.

so_good124 · Nov 28, 2013

I don't recommend being a pediatrician will take very long time and debt before you see the joy in this .

id recommend doing the nurse route time/debt wise.

after ged id take the act/sat ..... id apply to both community colleges/4 years . if 4 yr giving good scholarship go there ....if not take all pre reqs for nursing at community college *about 2 years* way cheaper and if your dad makes little money you will qualify for a grant .

once done with all pre reqs apply for a 4 yr nursing program. get accepted. finish in about 2 years. take nclex test. pass. be a RN (work in childrens hospital /family practice/ school nurse)

after 1-2 years experience .... get masters in nursing and have your specialty be a family nurse practitioner or pediatric nurse practitioner ...pay about 80-100k per year. nurse practitioner similar to physician assistant pay wise and duty wise.

caliotter3 · Nov 28, 2013

I had an acquaintance one time who was unable to get into a good college nursing program because they kept insisting that she produce a high school diploma. She got a GED and had already graduated from a community college with honors, but that wasn't good enough for that particular school, they wanted the high school diploma. If you are able to get the diploma instead of the GED at this point, that might save you some problems in the future. You could look into several programs that you might be interested in and find out now if they accept the GED. If so, then, it might not matter in the long run.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2013

Personally if you can get a HS diploma it just makes your life easier when moving onto the next step. I am not saying you can't do it with a GED, but why not give yourself every advantage now instead of starting out behind the curve?

rncat2000 · Nov 29, 2013

I was home schooled and got a GED. I went on to a get my bachelors without difficulty. Not once has having a GED stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do. never let any one try to stop you from accomplishing your goals. Good luck with all you do.

PurpleLover · Nov 29, 2013

In regards to schools not accepting GED's, that is why there are a ton of schools so you have different options. I do not believe a GED lands you behind a curve in any way. As I have stated before, I have a GED and I was accepted into nursing school my first try. It is as if people see the word GED and equate it to being something only associated with the intellectually inferior. That fact had always ruffled my feathers, not because I am ashamed of my GED, but because people think that a GED is somehow a mark of shame. That is like people with the same degree arguing over what college is best, you both have a degree so leave it at that.

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Lexicon · Nov 30, 2013

I agree with the person who suggested you trying to just get the HS diploma. I honestly don't think people would tease you for being "a nerd." There is nothing with being very intelligent, which you are. I have a friend who skipped two grades and she did IB in middle school, a governor's school, and now goes to Princeton. Anyone who treats you poorly for having a brain is stupid and isn't worth any of your time. (sorry for that rant)

To answer you other question, I think about time a lot and since you are very, VERY young, I think getting your diploma and then applying to a university to get your BSN would be the best route. I would suggest applying to ones close to home so you can commute, since you really wouldn't be able to stay in the dorms until you're 17 (I started college at 17 and was fine). I suggest the BSN because it's becoming more common for employers to require a BSN for RNs and it would just save you more time to get your BSN in 4 years than to do community college for 2 years and then have to do an RN to BSN program online while working. It's all up to you though. :)