Okay. So you finally decided to pursue your nursing degree. What’s next?
There are two types of degrees that lead to the coveted RN license. The article below will help guide you to your career as a nurse. Whether you’re 16 or 61, just insert yourself into wherever you fall on the chronological timeline below.
Highschool diploma
Acceptance into a college with a nursing program (either ADN or BSN)
Prerequisite coursework
TEAS testing (usually for BSN programs)
Acceptance into the school of nursing
ADN or BSN degree
NCLEX
High school:
You need to have graduated or have an equivalency to a high school degree. Your GPA is important to be accepted into a college or university, but don’t give up hope if you don’t have that 4.0. Many technical colleges accept students with less than stellar GPAs. Also, a GPA does not define you as a student, as a person, or as a future healthcare professional.
Acceptance into a college or university:
There are a LOT of schools out there. It’s important to know that not all of them have your best interest at heart. Just like any company, higher education is a business and its goal is to make money. And that’s okay. You just have to make sure that you know that as well.
Be sure to research each school you are applying for. Make sure to go through and check YES to all these questions:
Is the school accredited?
Does the school have a nursing program?
Is the nursing program accredited by the ACEN or the CCNE?
You want to get into the best school that you, your GPA, and your wallet can accommodate. Keep in mind that it’s mostly for that first job that the school and GOA really matter.
Prerequisite coursework:
Once you are accepted then the real work begins. Typical prerequisite coursework will include statistics, English, psychology, and a heavy emphasis on chemistry, biology, and anatomy and physiology. Do your best and study hard to earn the best GPA you can.
TEAS testing:
TEAS is a nursing school entrance examination that tests basic math, English and reading, general science, and some basic anatomy. Not all schools require entrance testing, but it is a typical requirement for BSN degree programs.
Acceptance into the school of nursing:
Nursing is a high demand field with great pay for those who practice and less than stellar pay for those who educate. It’s a common yet absurd fact. What this means is that nursing programs will always have a bottle neck. Nursing programs have the ability to only choose the best and brightest students to join their ranks. The best way to make yourself standout is to have a high GPA and high testing score.
If you don’t get accepted into the program the first time, don’t fret. First thing to do is to talk with someone in the program. Every nursing program has an administrator or advisor who can give tips and advice about getting into the program. Things like taking a class that you didn’t do well in again, aiming for a higher grade, or testing again after more prep. I’ll emphasize it again, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get into the program the first time.
A side note and life tip about this is to start building a relationship with the administrator or advisor who makes the decisions for acceptance into the program. The more they see you, get to know you, know your name, and see your determination, the more likely you’ll end up on the top of the list when there is an open spot.
ADN or BSN degree:
Finish the program. Get your degree. More easily said than done, this is the foundation for your nursing career.
NCLEX:
The long and the short of all of this pain, work, tears, sweat, anxiety, drama, blood (hopefully not your own), and literal shit (also, hopefully not your own) comes down to this. The NCLEX is a test that is required to be licensed as an RN. Hopefully, by the time you sit for your examination you have been well prepped by your program. There are also countless other test prep courses and materials you can purchase. Similar to the step of being accepted into a nursing program, don’t get too down on yourself if you don’t pass the first time. There is a 45 day waiting period between being able to test again. Use this time to prepare. Then try, try, try again. Depending on your state, you can try multiple times a year.
Well that’s it. No problem right?! Again, these things are easier said than done, but thousands of people get their nursing license every year and you can too. In 2-4 years you can have the skills for a rewarding career as a nurse. Not just emotionally fulfilling either. The median annual wage of a nurse according to the bureau of labor statistics is $77,600 back in 2021 and will only grow.
Good luck!