You have decided to become a nurse. Now you have to figure out how to reach that goal. The good thing about nursing is there are many options you can take. There are questions to ask and then take action on regarding nursing education.

What qualifies me to answer this question?  I have been a registered nurse since 1985.  I've practiced in hospitals, home health and taught in a Associate Degree Nursing program.  Do I have all of the answers, no, but I have a understanding of the process from the student and the advisor roles.

First, what degrees/classifications will allow you to become employed? Look at the want ads, pull up the websites of your local hospital(s) and talk to nurses you know. Can you find a job as a licensed vocational/practical nurse (LVN/LPN) or do you need to be a registered nurse (RN)? Don't forget to look at the employment opportunites in any state/town you anticipate moving to in the next few years. If the answer is you need to be a RN then do you have to have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) or can you go through a Associate's Degree program (ADN)?

Once you have decided that nursing is the career you want, the work begins. You will need to locate the program you want to attend. Most of the LVN/LPN programs are in Junior COlleges and hospitals. Most ADN RN programs are in Junior Colleges and the BSN RN programs are located in 4-year colleges. There are questions you need to have answers to prior to applying to programs.

• What are the admission requirements? (To the college and the nursing program.)
• How long is the program?
• How early do I have to apply to the program?
• What clinical locations are used by the program?
• What is the pass rate on state boards for the program?
• What is the cost of the program?
• What financial aid is available for students?
• Is there job placement assistance for graduates?

Why do you want to know this information? If the LVN program requirements will take you 2 years to achieve before you are eligible for admission or if it will take 3 years to graduate, then consider a RN program. Also, for some programs, it takes a year or more to be considered for admission. Nursing is a popular degree program and, historically, there aren't enough clinical instructors for all the students wanting in. You need to know the requirements for admission to the college as well as the nursing program. At the university where I taught, the prerequisites for nursing included minimum grades in some college classes. Why? Studies have shown, nursing students are more successful with a mid C and higher grade in English and sciences.

The clincal sites are important, because you have to get yourself to them. It cost money to get to the sites: are you driving or using public transportation and can you get there 2-3 times per week or more? If you have children, will this work with your daycare schedule?

You want to know the pass rate on state boards, because just taking the classes and clinicals isn't enough. You have to pass state board to get a license.

The cost and financial aid are self explanatory. Job placement assistance is just nice to have around.

Once you have the answers to your questions, choose the program and apply. There may be aptitude tests to take or the ACT or SAT may be required. Remember, there may also be a interview portion of the admission process. Some schools have gone to a blind admission process (no identifying information available to the selection committee) but they are few and far between.

For the interview:

• Wear nice clothes, nothing too short or tight.
• Take pride in yourself: sit and stand with confidence, make eye contact with the interviewer
• Practice your answers on a friend, be honest but remember you are being interviewed by someone already in the field. Don't say I want to be a nurse because I can make a lot of money. While that may be true, if that is the only reason then look for something else. Let them know what has brought you to the decision, money and making a living can be part of the answer, but not the complete answer. Compassion and a desire to help others is usually a reason. If you had a postiive experience with a nurse and were influenced by them, say so. If you had a bad experience and know you could do better, say so. Be realistic in your answers, no pie in the sky.
• Thank the interviewer for their time. Treat this as you would a job interview. You are selling yourself to them. Remember, you want them to choose you to fill one of those precious slots in their nursing program.

 

You are now in the nursing program. The books weigh a hundred pounds or so you think. Take a deep breath. You can and will survive nursing school.

There are some things you can do to make life a little easier.

• Join a study group. If you feel overwhelmed, so will others. Having a group to lean on helps.
• Keep up with the readings. If you are a slow reader or don't have the ability to skim, see if there is a place on campus which teaches study habits. Find out if you are a visual or auditory learner and learn the most effective study habits for your style.
• If you have test anxiety, go to the counseling center at your school and learn relaxation techniques and test taking tips.
• Answer the questions at the back of the chapters. Split them up among your study group and share. Put vocabulary words on flash cards.
• Study as a group when possible after the readings have been done. Make sure you meet as a group prior to tests. Usually, each person will have strengths and can help explain that area where you are unsure.
• Go to the instructor and ask questions if you don't understand.
• Purchase a NCLEX review book when you get to the clinical portions of your program. The questions and answers are written so you get the rationale for why an answer is wrong as well as why the correct answer is right.
• Keep your end goal in sight. Don't drown in the little things. Occassionally take time out for your mental health. If you feel overwhelmed, you won't learn. Stand back and breath, go out to dinner with friends (no nursing discussions allowed).

Each class builds on the previous class. Don't sell your books back until after you have taken state boards, if you ever sell them. They will be a good reference once you are in practice. All those papers you wrote while taking care of patients in clinical will help reinforce disease processes you are learning and will be tested over. Pick clinical patients with a variety of problems. Having all one diagnosis will not help you on state boards.

Learn to do the nursing math. Most programs require you pass the nursing math test to continue in the program. Our program gave each student 3 tries on the exam. There is more than one way to work the problems, so find the one that works for you. Get help from your friends and instructors. You want to know why you have to pass this test? Gving medications is one of the most important and dangerous parts of a nurse's job. You have to be able to make sure you are giving the right amount. Even if the dosage is figured out by the pharmacy and printd on the medication sheet, you must double check that answer. Would you want to have a hurse give you medicine if they could not correclty figure out your dose?

Also, don't cheat. That will get you expelled from the nursing program. Again, would you want a nurse that cheated and copied on exams instead of learning the information? Also, if you cheat through nursing school, you will fail state boards and have wasted all that money and time.

The school you have chosen to attend, wants you to succeed. There are people in place to help you graduate. Utilize them. You are paying for them when you pay the fees for college. You have chosen this career, so work to be the best nurse you can be. Unfortunately, you will meet nurses who aren't nice to students and will make it as hard as possible on you. Persevere and set a goal to never treat nursing students as they treated you while you were a student.  For every nurse who isn't nice there will be 5 who are kind and helpful.

Consider nursing school as an adventure. Everyday learn something new.

 You have taken and passed state boards and looking for that first paying job.  There are many options to consider.  I usually suggest that new nurses work in a controlled environment where there is a lot of support for them.  This would be the hospital in most instances.  Some of our local hospitals have intership programs which allow new nurses to get a taste of different units and types of nursing over a year.  You are still getting a paycheck and working as a full fledged nurse, but you have a preceptor to ask questions and give you support.  At the end of your year, you decide which unit/area you would like to work.  This is a good program in that it allows you as a new nurses to grow for the first year with a lot of support. 

Interview at more than one location when looking for your first job.  There are more things than money to consider.  Can you be happy working where you are offerred a job?  Is there room for advancement? Does it help you get to your end goal as a nurse?  Do you know where you want to end up yet?  Probably not, but the beauty of nursing is there are many different types of nursing, so there is no need to just settle for a paycheck.

I hope this have given you some information to take with you as you begin your journey.  Good luck on becoming and growing as a nurse.  It is a wonderful profession with a world of opportunities.