Which is a better way to prepare for Nursing School?

[Cronin]

I have a year waiting period before Registered Nursing School and I want to be as prepared as possible. I have two courses of action that I believe are great ideas to prepare but can only do one. Help me decide, please!

I can either;

(1) Review Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology + take Pharmacology and Pathophysiology

or

(2) Enter a Psychiatric Technician program (I won't have time to review Anatomy, etc. or take Pathophysiology and Pharmacology)

Please help

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Option 1. Also, see if you can do a CNA course and get a job-that experience will be crucial.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

In order to be accepted to a nursing program.. you would need to fulfill the pre- reqs.

What country are you in?

[Cronin]

Im in the US. I will be finished with my pre-reqs in 3 weeks.

[cleback]

Option 1 plus work as a CNA. Work experience will do a lot for you in school and finding that elusive first job.

(Unless you really want to work in psych)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Pre-Nursing Student forum for more responses.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Have you already been accepted into a nursing program? If so I would go with option 1 & become a CNA instead of a psych tech. Psych is great but you won't see as much as if you become a CNA in a nursing home or hospital.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

There may be better ways - in terms of your return on investment - to spend this time. A course in medical terminology would be very helpful & give you a boost for those clinical courses you're going to be taking. This is also a requirement for many clerical/admin jobs such as unit secretary, HIM file clerk or admission clerk. Training as a phlebotomist would provide you with skills & confidence in venipuncture ... an area that is the bane of many nursing students & new grads. Any of these basic skills may also be enough to land a part time job in a hospital that would be much easier than working as a CNA.

Congratulations on being accepted to a nursing program and best wishes on your educational journey

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

There may be better ways - in terms of your return on investment - to spend this time. A course in medical terminology would be very helpful & give you a boost for those clinical courses you're going to be taking. This is also a requirement for many clerical/admin jobs such as unit secretary, HIM file clerk or admission clerk. Training as a phlebotomist would provide you with skills & confidence in venipuncture ... an area that is the bane of many nursing students & new grads. Any of these basic skills may also be enough to land a part time job in a hospital that would be much easier than working as a CNA.

Congratulations on being accepted to a nursing program and best wishes on your educational journey

Hi HouTx, according to the job market do you suggest medical scribe which involves medical terminology or phlebotomist to gain learning experience?

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

Option #1. My pathophysiology class helped me soooo much in the nursing program. And reviewing A&P is a MUST. Good luck!

[topazann]

I will not lie, nursing school is hard and is a whole different ballgame.It is a LOT of work, a LOT of reading, but it's alll there for a reason.

The best advice I can give you is to be as prepared as you possibly can (do your reading, use outside resources), do the extra assignments even if they are only for your benefit and don't count for a grade, and don't worry so much about test grades. Here good article how to write essay also https://essmart.org/medical-school-essays/

Most of all BE POSITIVE ! You can do this!

[Cronin]

Thank you for all of your input. I will review A&P, take pharmacology, pathophysiology, and medical terminology . Also, I may go into the CNA program.