Preparing For Nursing School While You’re Still in High School

From the moment you enter high school, teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators start talking about one thing, college. It’s important. If you want to have a successful career after graduation, considering further education and training is a must. One of the most popular, vast fields of employment is in the medical arena, particularly nursing. In fact, registered nurses generally comprise the largest population of working healthcare professionals in the industry.

If you’re one of the thousands of high school students considering a career in nursing after graduation, there are a few things you can start doing NOW to get a head start on your future career.

1. Take your high school education seriously. It’s not too late to start caring about your high school education. Yes. Football games, prom, and parties with friends are fun, but your high school education is meant to prepare you for college and beyond. Now is the time to develop good study habits, care about your grades, and build relationships with your teachers. It will be much simpler in nursing school if you get the practice and develop these habits in high school. Without having these good habits established early on, you’d most likely struggle throughout nursing school.
2. Take relevant classes. If you’re serious about nursing, start gaining knowledge now. This means, make sure you’re taking college prep science and math courses in Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. The knowledge you’ll gain in these classes now will lay a solid foundation for the work you’ll do in nursing school. Some high schools even offer career and technical training courses in Medical Technology or other Health Sciences to help you prepare for a career in the medical field.
3. Start researching different nursing programs now. Do you know what kind of nurse you’d like to be? The amount of education and training that is required for each specialty? There are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs). Then there are nurses for a wide range of specialties, including Pediatrics Nursing, Nurse Anesthetist, Surgical Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, and many others. What are your future nursing goals? Knowing where you’d like to end up (or at least having an idea) will help you discover where the best place is to start from in nursing school.
4. Start preparing for the application process. Getting accepted into nursing school can be a challenge. But, it can be a little easier if you prepare yourself in advance for the entrance exams that you’ll need to pass. Be prepared. Learn what a passing score is, and set a goal for how well you’d like to do.  Find out which schools require which types of entrance exams, and then obtain study guides and practice tests to help you prepare. Get familiar with the process by talking to other nursing students or graduates. Find out what to expect and what to focus on most during the application process.
5. Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer. Although last on this list, volunteering is one of the most important ways that you can prepare for nursing school while still in high school. Look for opportunities to volunteer in medical settings. You’ll gain valuable, real-life training and experience while working alongside nurses, doctors, and technicians. You’ll gain insight into how to handle emergency crisis situations, what a good bedside manner should be, and the inner workings of a medical care facility. This will also help you build a network of medical professionals who are available to offer you practical advice and counsel as you pursue your own nursing degree in the future.

Is a career in nursing in your future? Are you looking for a little direction on where to begin your journey toward becoming a nurse? Our Admissions Representatives at Athena Career Academy are here to help you prepare for an exciting career in nursing and are eager to walk you through the process. Call today to schedule a no obligation appointment to learn more.

Athena Career Academy is located at:
5203 Airport Highway
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30AM to 4:30PM
Phone: (419) 329-4075