No matter what career path you may choose there will almost always be prerequisites that must be met before you can even begin to apply for jobs. Nursing is no exception. Despite the fact that there is a severe nursing shortage all over the country, hospitals and clinics are not hiring just anyone. You must meet minimum requirements as prescribed by the regulations of the state in which you live. Only individuals who meet those requirements can be licensed to practice as nurses.
If you should decide to pursue a career in nursing, your training actually is best if it begins in high school. At the very least, you'll need to have a high school diploma or a GED in order to apply at nursing school. But there are some courses you can take in high school that will help prepare you for your nursing school training. Those courses include:
- health (this is a required subject in most states)
- biology
- general sciences
It's also important for potential nursing candidates to be very good communicators. Keep in mind that nurses are required to communicate with patients and physicians as well as read reports, administer medications, consult with family members, and so on. An inability to communicate well could cause a problem that might end up being potentially dangerous. Therefore, any advanced English courses you can take in your junior and senior years will be helpful.
Do nursing schools have their own prerequisites?
Some nursing schools have their own entrance requirements that could be as simple as a minimum high school GPA, or as complicated as being required to take certain advanced placement courses in math and science. You will be informed of those requirements upon your first inquiry to a given nursing school. Furthermore, it's always a good idea to assume that competition for nursing school slots will be very stiff, regardless of the schools you will be applying to. This serves as motivation to do your best in high school and maintain a high GPA.
Homeschooled students need to be especially vigilant about making sure they and their parents keep detailed records of their high school education. While it is illegal under federal law to discriminate against homeschooled students in terms of college entrance, many universities and colleges do not understand homeschooling law at either the federal or state level. They will often try to put burdensome requirements on homeschoolers that are really unnecessary. They also will occasionally reject the homeschool diploma as a legitimate certificate signifying the completion of a high school education.
When this happens, the homeschooling family can usually straighten things out by producing detailed records as outlined in state law. If that fails, they can call a lawyer specializing in homeschool law and that will usually settle it without further incident.
What are the prerequisites for state licensing?
Different states have different requirements for licensing nurses. As a general rule, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) only need complete a one-year certification program in order to take a licensing exam. This program teaches the basic tasks involved in nursing including patient care, paperwork administration, and so on.
As for registered nurses, every state requires a minimum two-year associate degree from a school with a state approved program. Obviously, nurses who complete their two-year program can continue on to earn a four year bachelor degree or a six-year master degree. Regardless, the one thing all three have in common is the need for the students to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLXE) before taking the state-specific licensing exam. NCLXE is a nationally recognized examination required by most states. However, individual state licensing exams are recognized only in the state where they are earned.
What will I learn in nursing school, other than basic tasks?
When you enroll in nursing school, plan on taking a variety of courses. You'll probably spend the first two years of a four or six-year program studying liberal arts. If you are enrolling in a two-year associate degree program your liberal arts exposure will be less intense. Some of the courses you'll be taking, regardless of your program, include:
- anatomy
- chemistry
- microbiology
- nutrition
- physiology
- psychology
- sociology
- statistical analysis
Once I graduate and pass my licensing exam can I go to work?
Once you meet the minimum state requirements for licensing you are free to begin applying for jobs. However, if you want to specialize in one particular area, earning a certificate for that specialty is a certainly a resume enhancer. Certificates sometimes require additional education, but it's very short and easy to complete. Certification exams are usually offered by one of several accrediting institutions around the country. Certifications are generally transferable from one state to the next, even though licenses are not.
Now that you know the prerequisites for nursing there's nothing left to do but start researching schools and making plans for your future. If you're willing to put forth the time and effort to study hard, you can be embarking on your nursing career in no time at all.