Whats my next step after I get my GED?

Graduation2016 · Nov 30, 2013

Kudos to you. At 14 I was still playing with Barbie dolls!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

First, find out what are your entrance requirements for your local nursing schools; if possible, start classes at your local community college after completing your high school requirements. Whatever your choose, make it OPTIMAL for YOU...shadow a nurse, hang out on here and soak up the good, bad, indifferent of nursing; be objective about it, and see if you want to be a part of this business. :)

One of my instructors went to college at 16, lived on dorms and moved out of her state to go to a 4-year university; and graduated when she was 20 and worked many years as a Peds nurse; she currently has a doctorate and is an adjunct professor for a 4-year university and her dissertation was about diversity and learning styles and nursing teamwork. Best instructor that gave us all the REALITIES of nursing. It can and has been done. Best wishes! :up:

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

Good day, FayeCx:

First and foremost: CONGRATULATIONS for going for and getting your GED. That is a huge first step into a bigger world. Please let me share with you a story related to your cause.

My mother came from Austria to the U.S. when she was 19 and became a citizen; this was when you had to learn English and prove yourself. She came without a high school diploma. It wasn't until she was in her 50's that she went for her GED. She was so thrilled in getting her GED she became an EMT and ran with the local ambulance while going to LPN school. She then became an LPN at a local hospital where a doctor encouraged her to go for her RN. She went for it, and became an RN. By then she was in her mid to late 50's.

Yes, a GED is the equivalent of a high school diploma, and it is a foundation. Yes, you may have to work your butt off on prerequisites where you will not be alone (we are all working our butts off). You can do it.

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html is an excellent foundational article to use as a reference as you work on perquisites and get into a nursing program. This site and various forums within it are full of people who can help you. Most schools have good learning / tutoring centers; use them no matter how well you are doing.

Congrats again on the GED; follow your dreams.

lilgop · Dec 1, 2013

I was homeschooled, and I took my GED. I haven't had problem. I just got accepted into my nursing school of choice, which did ask for a high school transcript. They just told my mom to fill out a form of the classes I took in high school and sign it. So I have both a homeschool diploma and a GED.

If I were you I'd look in to dual inrollment at your local CC. Taking some courses now, along with your high school classes would really give you a head start. :)

queserasera, RN · Dec 2, 2013

Well you are way ahead of the curve getting started thinking about the future so early. I also tested for my GED and it hasn't caused me any issues.

I went to community college and did 2 years of pre requisites and have applied to a 4 year nursing school. There were some great benefits the went along with choosing to go this route. First of all I saved a lot of money, my community college was about 6000 a year (that was taking full course loads in spring summer and fall) and my peers who enrolled directly into 4 year schools are paying between 10,000 and 30,000 depending on their school for just spring and fall every year! That alone was enough to prove I made the righy choice for me.

The other nice thing about community college is you have the ability to take classes cheaply that you may be interested in on top of your pre reqs. I really ended up enjoying Chemistry so I took some extra classes in it.

No matter which route you decide you have an advantage because you are young and have time to plan and weigh the pros and cons of various programs.

Please feel free to private message me if you have any questions. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!