Is your major pre-nursing and your planning on applying to nursing school? If so, while you are a pre-nursing student taking pre-requisite courses, there are somethings you can be doing to help prepare for nursing school. In this article, I am going to give you 6 tips on how you can increase your chances of getting into nursing school and prepare you for the journey ahead.
As a pre-nursing student, it is a great time to start developing study strategies, preparing for entrance exams, interviews, and considering getting a part-time job in a health care setting before entering nursing school. Below I am going to discuss this information in depth.
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Pre-Nursing School Student Advice
Develop study habits now! This is the time, while as a pre-nursing student, you develop how to study. You don’t want to figure out how to do this in nursing school. The pre-requisite classes you’re taking are a great training ground for learning how to study. Try to figure out what works best for you! Are you a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? When you determine what type of learner you are it is best to develop study strategies that compliment that learning ability.
Keep your GPA up! First, find out what the GPA requirements are for admission to the nursing program and keep your GPA at or above this. Always study hard for each class, and try to pick professors that have good reputations. To do this ask other students or use websites like ratemyprofessor.com to check a professor’s rating. If your GPA isn’t the greatest, retake a class or take some easier classes to increase it. In addition, make sure you earn good grades in the specific classes the program requires. For instances, most programs require A & P and that you score at least a C or better in this particular class. So, when you are taking Anatomy & Physiology make sure you are giving this course a lot of attention.
Take correct Pre-req courses! Always meet with your advisor and consult with the program course catalogue to make sure you are taking the right courses. I have heard stories of students taking the wrong course (for instance, they took an extra social science class when they should have took another humanities elective) and had to wait another semester before applying to the program due to one class.
Start prepping for entrance exams! See what entrance exam you have to take (if any) and make sure you are aware if it determines admission to the program, what you are required to score, and what examination the school administers. Then start prepping months in advance by purchasing a study guide that goes along with the exam. For example, if you are required to take the HESI A2, purchase this specific study guide.
Prep for the nursing school interview! Not all programs require an interview prior to admission, however some do, and if this is your case start prepping for it. Be sure to watch the video on the top nursing school interview questions.
Consider getting a part-time or PRN job as a certified nursing assistant! I highly recommend this because it will help build your resume, allow you to network, expose you to the hospital setting, and make extra money. You will find that the best time to work will be while you are a pre-nursing student. When you are a nursing student you will be limited on how much you can work due.
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