6 Ways High School Students Can prepare to become a nurse
Posted On February 19,2019
Kids are asked what they want to do when they grown up from an early age. This question becomes more important once a student enters high school. Decisions made and actions taken in high school can help determine success in a certain career field. This is especially true for high school students wanting to become a nurse. Nursing is an in demand job field, and there is no sign of it slowing down, but you must be prepared. If you are in high school and are even beginning to think of become a nurse, there are things you can do now to begin to prepare for nursing school.
1. Get a Good Academic Foundation
Academics aren’t just key in high school. They are key in college, too. The classes you take in high school can affect how easily you are accepted into a nursing program. Most nursing schools will expect an incoming student to be well-versed in advanced science and math. Additionally, students will be required to have the typical well-rounded college entrance requirements including several years of English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language courses.
2. Develop Good Organizational and Study Skills
Nursing school can be pretty demanding when is comes to academics. Learning good organizational and study skills in high school will make the transition to college much easier. A lot of self-discipline is needed for nursing school. Academic excellence is a must. Once your classes are over, you will still need to pass an exam before you get your nursing license. This is necessary in a career where your actions can mean the difference between life and death.
3. Get Good Grades
Getting good grades is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for nursing school. Gaining admission into a nursing program isn’t always easy. There are many students seeking admission, and only a limited number of spots. Grade point averages and entrance exam scores are weighted heavily when it comes to which applications move to the front of the line. The higher your GPA, the better your chances of snagging one of those acceptance letters.
Learn More about Athena's Nursing Program4. Take AP Classes or College Courses
Advanced placement classes in high school might save you money in college. AP classes typically cover the same material you would learn in college. They may make you eligible to test out of a course in college for credit without taking the class. Additionally, most high schools now allow students who take advanced classes to take college courses while still in high school. These courses can usually be taken by high schoolers for free.
5. Get Experience
Experience is a great way to give you an edge when applying to nursing schools. Many hospitals and medical clinics have volunteer programs that accept teens. It is a wonderful learning experience that gives you valuable insight into how nurses interact with patients and other staff. Volunteering may also pave the way to a part-time job that could not only help you gain more experience, but pay you to do it. Plus, it looks great on a resume and nursing school application.
6. Get Certified
There are many programs available that allow teens to get certified in first aid and CPR. Some high schools are even offering these courses as elective courses. First aid and CPR certifications are typical requirements for entering nursing school, so obtaining them in high school puts you ahead of the curve.
In addition, high school students who are 18 years old can take courses to become a Certified Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant. Most of these programs can easily be completed in a summer. Not only could the effort help you get accepted into a nursing program, but it also gives you practical experience in healthcare and could lead to a job in a medical setting while you are attending nursing school.
Now that you know how to prepare for nursing school, consider where you might want to train. Athena Career Academy is dedicated to educating and training students to become nurses who rise to the top of their field. Our admissions counselors will help guide you through prerequisites and enrollment to make the transition from high school to college an easy one. Contact Athena Career Academy to discuss your future with our admissions team today.