5 Tips for Effectively Preparing for Nursing School
Posted On December 14,2015
If you’re looking to kick start a new career in nursing then getting a proper education is essential. You’ll need to find a nursing academy which can match your needs, one which has classes which revolve around your particular specialization and is respected enough to look good on a resume. However, getting into a nursing academy isn’t as simple as applying and waiting. You’ll need to prepare, both effectively and efficiently.
Here are five tips for getting into nursing school:
#1 Complete Your Educational Requirements
Before you get into nursing school you’ll need to earn a high school education. You can accomplish this either by acquiring a diploma or a GED, but you’ll need at least one to be eligible. While you’re completing this requirement you may want to take the time to improve your resume by volunteering at local health centers. This may help you decide which area of nursing you want to focus on and will give you vital insights into the job which will help you tremendously as you prepare to begin your new career.
#2 Find the Right School for You
Picking a nursing academy is a serious decision. It shouldn’t be all about convenience of location or your level of familiarity with a certain institution. You need to take the time to find the school, and the program, that’s right for you. Bear in mind that different educational paths will take different amounts of time to complete. If you want to be a practical nurse you’ll probably only need to study for about a year. You’ll need to study for twice as long to become a registered nurse, which requires an associate degree. If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree and become a nurse manager then you’ll need to devote at least four years to that pursuit. Keep these time commitments in mind when choosing your program.
#3 Apply to Your Chosen School
Once you’ve picked out a school your work is far from over. The actual application progress still requires a great deal of thought and care. Be sure to read over any material you’re given very carefully. Any deadlines for various materials or actions should be noted and carefully monitored. Any requirements or guidelines should be closely considered. If possible it’s always a good idea to submit your application a bit early, as this will allow you to deal with any supplementary issues that might come up in a timely fashion. Regardless, you’ll want to familiarize yourself closely with the institution(s) you’ve selected, both as a means of making sure that you’re right for said institution and that they’re right for you.
#4 Attend Any Available Informational Sessions
The huge majority of schools will offer informational sessions for prospective students, educating them about the specifics of a given school and the programs they offer. Some even require you to attend such sessions as a prerequisite for enrollment. Regardless, it’s always worthwhile to attend these sessions. They will give you time to network, allowing you to meet various members of the facility and the student community. It will also help guide you through the enrollment process by clarifying exactly what you’ll need to do to gain admittance. Finally, you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the inner workings of the school, allowing to to better determine whether or not it’s a good fit. Feel free to ask plenty of questions during these sessions, as taking the time to ask them now is much wiser than waiting until you’re already enrolled. This can cut down on confusion once you are accepted, as making the transition from high school to higher education is always a somewhat cumbersome process. In some cases you’ll even be able to start the application process in person.
#5 Sign Up for the WorkKeys Test and Your Interview
If you want to gain admittance to a nursing academy you’ll need to pass the WorkKeys text. As with any standardized test taking the WorkKeys will require some carefully planning and study. Fortunately, since the test is based around a more specialized topic you’ll know roughly what you’ll need to study. Remember, the higher a score you get on the test the more the average institution will be interested in you. Studying effectively can open up doors for you down the line. Once a school shows interest in you you’ll almost certainly need to take part in an interview with dean or another high-ranking member of the faculty. Before this takes place you’ll want to make sure your vaccinations are current and your background check has been submitted. Once you get into the room you’ll just need to be yourself. By now you’ll have completed the other steps on this list and as such you’ll be well prepared for the interviewer’s questions. Remain professional and demonstrate your knowledge and you should be enrolled in no time.
To learn more about a career in nursing, and what all of your nursing school options may be, contact Athena Career Academy today at 419-329-4075. An exciting new career as a nurse can be yours faster than you might imagine.
Athena Career Academy is located at:
5203 Airport Highway
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30AM to 4:30PM
Phone: (419) 329-4075