6 Must-Do Things for Nursing School Applicants

Embarking on a nursing career is demanding and challenging, and once you start, you must be prepared to concentrate on it fully so you will succeed. A nursing degree is unlike many other college degrees out there. It is very competitive and at first signs of weakness, you could say goodbye to it. For instance, failing to maintain the required GPA or flunking a class, can lead you to getting kicked out of nursing school altogether. That's also tantamount to saying goodbye to the tuition you've paid.

Here is a list of things that you should take care of BEFORE you apply to nursing school:

Tip #1. Make sure that your math skills are up to par. This isn't just so that you can pass your nursing classes; it's a matter of life and death for your future patients. You will be prescribing medication and performing complex calculations. You need to make sure that you can do so quickly and accurately.

Tip #2. Complete all the prerequisite subjects needed to get into nursing school, or at the very least, you should be completing them by the time you hand in your application. And make sure that your grades are good, because competition to get into nursing school is fierce these days. You will most likely need college level algebra, English, nutrition, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, microbiology, psychology, and some version of human growth and development to get into an Associate's Degree nursing program. If you already have a nursing school in mind, it's best to check out which of these subjects are required, and then take them at your local college.

Tip #3. Contact your State Board of Nursing for a list of the accredited schools in your area and make sure that the schools you are interested in are included in that list.

Tip #4. If you have kids, plan ahead for any child-related emergencies. Things don't always go smoothly and if we're talking about childcare emergencies such as a kid falling ill, or your spouse not getting home on time to mind the kids, backup plans should be in place. Are there daycare centers nearby who can take in your child even if he or she is nursing a cold? Some centers do have this service. Contact friends and family beforehand, and have a standing agreement for "exchange babysitting" with them. Remember too that you will need a child minder when you do your clinicals, which can be scheduled on night shifts or weekends.

Tip #5. Make a quick check of your means of transportation in getting to school. Memorize bus routes and schedules, and if you're driving your own car, make sure to invest in car insurance. Look into carpooling with other nursing students; anything that saves time and money will be helpful.

Tip #6. Organize your finances. Draw up a financial plan that covers the entire time that you will be in nursing school, with a list of all your anticipated expenses. In addition to your living expenses, try to set aside money for emergencies as well. You never know when the car will break down or the roof will leak, etc.