3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Applying to Nursing School

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If you are considering applying to nursing school, then this blog post will prepare you with the pieces of knowledge that I wish I knew before submitting my application. Some of which I didn’t even know I was already ahead of the game in, and other things I wish I had put more focus into prior to applying to nursing school.

I have met a number of nursing students that either didn’t work as a CNA before nursing school, or weren’t prepared for the professional moves they needed to start making once they got their foot in that door. So I’m just here to reiterate a few things if you’ve already got yourself on track for success. That, or help you to get onto that track!

Going to nursing school will take your 100% commitment during school and after you pass your NCLEX, so why not go into it with all the preparation you could get? This first point I want to make made the absolute biggest impact on my nursing school journey as well as on how I am in practice now that I am a registered nurse.

Work as a CNA for a Bit BEFORE Applying to Nursing School

First of all, let’s clarify what a CNA even is. CNA stands for “Certified Nursing Assistant”. Sometimes referred to as NA (Nurses Aid), or in some workplaces they call them “tech” or “patient care technicians”. At my hospital they are referred to as “care partners”. CNAs are licensed professionals, but not to be confused with the title of a “licensed health care professionals” such as a registered nurse. Yes, they have a license, but they are not providing health care such as administering medications, performing certain treatments, or making assessments.

I know that for some of you, nursing school needs to happen much sooner than later. Life happens and your need to get through school and that pay raise is a priority for many. I totally get it! However, keep in mind that nursing school is 2-3 years of hard work and dedication. Not to mention, thousands of dollars worth of tuition and books.

Most nursing programs require that someone has their CNA license prior to even applying. So either way you will likely need to take a CNA course and become licensed, so why not utilize that license before or while you are in nursing school to make you some money and start testing the waters of the medical field.

The number one reason I say to be a CNA first is this…

Nursing and bedside care is not for everyone. If your only motivation is the paycheck, you will definitely want to get your priorities straight before submitting that application.

Nursing isn’t just wearing scrubs and handing sick folks little plastic cups of pills. As a nurse, you need to be prepared to see and help some really sick people at their worst.

Networking is So Important, From Day One

Networking in the medical field can be as easy as striking up a conversation with the right person while in line for coffee. The reason I say networking is so important is that it’s very likely you won’t want to stay on the same unit for your whole career.

Knowing the right person or having made the right connections early on maybe the one thing standing between you and your dream nursing job. You need to start networking during nursing school. Good to know people aren’t just the ones who have been in healthcare for years and years already make friends with your classmates.

You never know, the girl sitting next to you in pharmacology might be the next house supervisor or manager of the unit you’ve always dreamed of working on.

It Doesn’t Have to be THAT Stressful

If you have a friend who went to nursing school or follow social media pages that post about nursing school and how stressful it is, DON’T listens to them.

Nursing school is challenging and I won’t sugar coat it. But I will say that each experience is different and it doesn’t have to be the mind-melting, stressful experience that it’s hyped up to be.

I will say that I am 100% certain that I would have struggled more with nursing school if I hadn’t been a CNA in a hospital first.You really do learn a TON as a CNA. All of which I can guarantee will help you in nursing school.

No doubt nursing school was one of the more challenging things I’ve ever done. But it’s only as difficult as you let it be, to some degree.

Yea, there are crappy instructors out there and some material will make you want to throw your hands up and quit. Just remember, it’s not impossible or unconquerable.

Nursing school is a life-changing experience, no matter how prepared you think you are for it. You can be a CNA and have already met a lot of influential people in your field, and still walk at graduation feeling like you’re head is spinning from all of what just happened in those 2 years.

All I’m saying is, set yourself up for success and keep these three things in mind when you’re considering applying for nursing school.