The medical field has long been a prestigious and noble career choice. The outbreak of COVID has only enhanced this sensibility. However, there are several paths within the medical field to choose from, making it tough to decide what to pursue. If you’re not sure what medical career path to pursue, why not become a registered nurse? Nurses play vital roles in hospitals, assisting people in getting back to their best health. If you’re wondering how to become a nurse, you’ll start with nursing school. During your education, you’ll receive the essential training you need to begin your career. These days, several nursing school options exist; you can even get nursing degrees online. If you don’t know much about where to begin with nursing college, don’t worry! We’ll explore everything you need to know about this in the guide below!
Determining If You Fit the Field
Before we delve too deep into nursing school requirements, we want to begin with a cautionary note. It takes a certain kind of person to become a nurse. The most common career path for nurses is to work in a scheduled rotation at a hospital.
If you enter that path, you can expect fluctuating schedules and long hours without sleep. Depending on where in a hospital you work, you may have to face dying patients or assist others with their most basic needs.
In short, you must be a person who can keep up with a frenetic pace. You require the will to help others, even when you’re exhausted.
If that’s not what you want from work, nobody can blame you! If you believe you can be a nurse, though, then it’s time to get ready for school. We’ll explore the typical application process for nursing school in the next section.
Become a Registered Nurse with the Best Nursing Degree
When you decide to become a nurse, you’ll first need to decide what type of nursing program you want to enter. You may prefer a CNA, LPN, ADN, or any other program. Whatever you do, make sure the program for which you apply has the proper accreditations.
Fortunately, most nursing schools have a similar application process, regardless of which program you enter. We’ll explore the ways to prepare for the application process below.
1. Meet with Admissions Representatives
It’s best to speak with an admissions representative at your chosen school to prevent yourself from taking too much at once. This professional can help you understand what requirements you must satisfy before entering nursing school.
Depending on your age or station in life, you may not be able to enter school full-time. If not, that’s okay!
Explain your situation to your admission representative. He or she can give guidance on how to fit your class load into your life.
2. Building an Academic Plan
The next stage is to set an academic plan. This strategy helps you comprehend how to manage nursing school with your other obligations.
An academic plan can also set a timeline for you to meet your goals. For many people, the ideal amount of schooling is around four years.
However, you may need more time depending on your schedule. If so, make sure to craft a timeline that’s realistic to your situation.
3. Meeting Requirements
When you examine the nursing school requirements, start compiling any documents and records they may require. This could include your high school diploma, undergraduate transcripts, etc. Once you have your documents, submit them.
4. Begin Taking Prerequisite Courses
Think of your prerequisite courses as your reintroduction to academia. Knocking these out helps prepare you for the intense course material you’ll run across in nursing school.
If you can handle this schedule, you’ll be in good shape when you begin your nursing classes. You may have significant freedom in where you take prerequisites. Often, you can take them at the local community college.
5. Apply for Financial Aid and Admission
If you require financial aid, make sure you apply for that in advance. Likewise, ensure you have all the required paperwork submitted before the deadline.
Once you have the financial aid you need, you can apply for admission to your nursing program! With any luck, your hard work will pay off, and you’ll get to start your new career journey.
Nursing Degrees Online
Like many other course programs now, many nursing schools offer an online program. These programs typically start students off by having them attend all lectures and submit all assignments electronically. Over time, as students progress in the course, their professors will assign them in-person labs.
Of course, any clinical studies and residencies will occur in person. There are some things you can’t learn through a screen, after all.
Online learning has many advantages, three of which we outline below.
1. Socially Distant
Attending school can be difficult in the current COVID climate. Threats of quarantine can wreak havoc on your attendance. Online learning allows you to bypass this.
Regardless of how you feel, you can still log in and attend lectures. This way, you face fewer outside impediments.
2. Increased Control
Online learning gives you much more control over your schedule. So long as you manage your deadlines, online classes give you more freedom to work at your own pace.
3. Receiving a Quality Education
Several online nursing programs provide you with a quality education if you put in the work. Even if you rarely set foot in an in-person nursing college, you can still get the best nursing degree for you!
Start Your Nursing School Application Process Today
Once you finish nursing school, you’ll have a certification in your required field. From there, you can either seek out other certifications or apply for a position immediately. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be a qualified candidate!
So, if you’ve wondered how to become a registered nurse, don’t hesitate. Look for the best nursing degrees online or in person today.
If you want to find further life tip advice, check out some of our other content today as well! We have tips on health and finances that can help you survive the rigors of nursing school.
