what is the best way to get into a nursing school when starting over
From your empathetic nature to your hardworking tendencies, you're starting to feel pretty confident about your prospects of launching a successful nursing career. The idea of supporting your family by doing what you're naturally adept at can sound far-fetched, merely the truth is that kind of success could be within your grasp as a nurse.
Now that y'all're set up to commit to your new career goal, you lot take some questions about how to get into nursing schoolhouse:What nursing school requirements are there? Can I work while in nursing school? Are at that place any classes to take before nursing school? What else should I know near applying to nursing school?
To help you map out your side by side moves, we compiled this pace-by-pace guide to help ready y'all for the process of choosing your nursing school and getting admitted.
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6 Straightforward steps to get into nursing school
Aspiring nursing students who are looking for a simple play-by-play of the steps needed to become into nursing schoolhouse have come to the right place. Bank check out the video below for an overview of the six steps you'll need to take before you secure your educatee condition.
one. Determine which blazon of nurse you want to be
While nursing may seem like a straightforward profession on the surface, there are a number of dissimilar levels and specialties inside the field. The quickest path to becoming a nurse is becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN). If you decide to get the LPN route, you lot will be qualified to administrate medicine, check patients' vital signs and perform a variety of tasks under a supervising registered nurse (RN).
If you're looking for more medical duties, becoming an RN could be a more suitable path to take. RNs serve as a direct link to patients, expertly analogous necessary medical care, educational activity and support. Yous tin can become an RN with an Associate'south Degree in Nursing (ADN).
Some RNs also opt to obtain a Available'southward of Science in Nursing (BSN). BSN-qualified nurses oftentimes perform the same duties equally those with an ADN, but they are also qualified for more leadership and direction positions. One time you've earned your BSN, y'all still have options to accelerate your nursing career past pursuing a Master of Scientific discipline in Nursing caste (MSN), an fantabulous option for those who'd similar to work in leadership or teaching positions within the field of nursing.
Each of these education levels includes a multitude of types of nursing positions. Doing some inquiry into these opportunities tin can help you place a career path that aligns with your personal skills and interests. From there, y'all can determine how much of an educational delivery you'll need.
2. Identify the level of nursing instruction yous'll need
As you inch closer toward determining the type of nurse you'd like to get, you'll want to start looking into the specifics surrounding the educational commitment that volition exist expected of yous. If you're looking to go an LPN, for example, you can earn your diploma in equally few as 12 months.*
If you're more partial to the job responsibilities and opportunities that could look yous as an RN, yous tin earn your ADN in as few as 18 months, while the traditional BSN route is more likely to take as few as 33 months.* If you've already obtained a available'due south caste in a different field and y'all'd like to pursue a BSN equally your second degree, you lot can complete a program in closer to 18 months.*
In that location is too an option for practicing RNs who are not yet baccalaureate-qualified to earn a BSN in as few as 18 months with online RN to BSN programs.* And finally, if you're hoping to accept your career even farther with an MSN, yous'll need to first earn your BSN and so consummate at to the lowest degree another xviii months of schooling to get Master'south-qualified.*
3. Enquiry different nursing programs
Some contend that narrowing down the nursing programs you'd like to attend can be even more nerve-wracking than the awarding procedure itself. The more enquiry you practise, the more yous'll realize that nursing programs are not one-size-fits-all.
Every bit y'all begin digging into the details of the programs that pique your interest, at that place are a few cardinal things you can be looking for that often signify a high-quality nursing program:
- Accreditation: Information technology is important to brand sure the programs you're selecting have obtained the proper accreditation to be educating nurses. Without a caste from an accredited institution, you won't qualify to sit down for the NCLEX.
- Curriculum: Since we at present know that non all nursing programs are created equally, it's important to examine a particular plan's approach to care. Come across if yous tin can identify any detail nursing theories or types of educational models they operate upon and determine if those align with your professional goals.
- Flexible learning options: If y'all're looking for a plan with flexible options — such as online or nighttime classes — be sure to identify that early in your process.
- NCLEX success rate: If information technology'due south non advertised on their nursing program information page, brand a bespeak to enquire the admission representatives y'all speak with nigh the NCLEX pass rate of the program's graduates. This can be a great indicator of how well the plan prepares its students for a nursing career.
- Instructors' nursing feel: Studying under highly qualified, experienced nurses is the best way to learn how to accomplish the same kind of success for yourself. Don't be agape to ask nearly a potential school'due south faculty and their experience in the field.
- Student support services: From the support you lot'll demand along your journey toward graduation to career search aid subsequently graduation, the student services offerings can be a big differentiator from 1 nursing program to the next.
four. Apply to your called programs
Once you've determined the type of nurse you'd similar to become and take identified some programs that meet your criteria, it's time to start applying to nursing schools. Filling out an application can seem daunting, simply just call back that every nurse who came earlier you had to clear the aforementioned hurdle.
Also note that many nursing hopefuls find it useful to cake off a few hours when it comes time to make full out an application. You volition demand to pay shut attending to the application guidelines and any supplemental materials required of you, such as essays and letters of recommendation.
Be certain to also pay close attention to any deadlines listed on the programme'south website and, if at all possible, submit your awarding early on — it can help reinforce your eagerness and delivery, while also showing the school that you're both prepared and reliable. This will also provide you with some actress time for the programme personnel to contact you if any supplemental application materials are needed before the deadline.
5. Attend a nursing information session
Many schools will provide nursing data sessions for prospective students who are looking to learn more about their program. In fact, some of them require information technology if you programme to enroll in courses at their school.
At these sessions, yous'll take the opportunity to encounter some important members of the faculty, you volition larn more than virtually the nursing school requirements and what you can wait from that particular program. Yous'll besides have the chance to enquire any additional questions you may have. Even if this isn't technically a requirement for your school of choice, it's ever a good thought to familiarize yourself with the program and assemble additional information.
6. Have the entrance exam
While some schools rely on other assessments to examine nursing candidates' reading, math, scientific discipline and English language skills, near programs use the Examination of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). This is a standardized exam proctored through Cess Technologies Institute.
The purpose of this test is to gauge a student's readiness for enrollment in a nursing program. It's like to other standardized tests you've probable taken in the by, consisting of 170 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 209 minutes.
Exist sure to set up yourself for the big 24-hour interval by taking practice tests online, forming study groups and reading upwards on expert tips to pass the test. Knowing what to expect is one-half the battle, and being well-prepared as yous walk into the examination room will heave your confidence and assist you lot succeed.
Start on your journey to nursing school
It's normal to take questions and concerns about applying to nursing schoolhouse. This is a major milestone on your path towards launching the rewarding career y'all've been dreaming of. If y'all're confident in your decision to become a nurse, why wait to get started?
At present that you have a better understanding of how to get into nursing school, it'south time to outset working your way through the steps outlined above. Start researching different nursing school requirements and programs to notice what makes them unique. If Rasmussen University is on your list of potential programs, you'll detect plenty of helpful information in our article, "Things Yous Didn't Know About the Rasmussen University Nursing Programs."
*Completion fourth dimension is dependent on the number of transfer courses accepted and courses completed each term.
EDITOR'S Notation: This article was originally published in May 2014. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2020.
Source: https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/how-to-get-into-nursing-school/
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