The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the Registered Nurses profession will grow to 19.4 percent over the next seven years. This is definitely appealing and can attract more students to go for a community college as a solution but there are certain factors you (or someone you know who wants to be a nurse) should consider before pursuing a nursing degree.
1. Nursing Programs are Selective
Community college or not, the curriculum to becoming a nurse is the same. It requires the same prerequisites as any state college or university. The difference is that they have a limit amount of spots for each class.
Some prerequisites to keep in mind include Anatomy & Physiology and Biology, but most of all you need to keep a particular GPA. Even now, your own local community college may have the program but the demand is so high that there’s even a waitlist.
Our advice:
- Be aggressive.
- Call or visit the Nursing Program’s front desk.
- See all the requirements and ask yourself “What are the chances of getting accepted into this program considering my history of previous courses?”
2. Prepare to See Blood (and Other Bodily Fluids)
Nursing is rewarding in many ways, but it is not for the faint-hearted. It takes a certain mindset to be able to handle the type of setting and the type of tasks you’ll encounter throughout nursnig school and in your new career afterwards.
To be a nurse, you have to have some level of compassion in serving those who struggle to help themselves or physically can’t.
3. Nursing Programs Require a Great Deal of Time
Students who are looking to earn an associate degree have to give it their all. They have to make it a priority or else they would basically be wasting their time and money.
Be prepared to do something new every day and you will learn how to handle situations better. To do this, it requires patience and time.
4. An Associate Degree is Just the First Step
As a student nurse, an associate degree is only the beginning. There are many employers that require a bachelor’s degree or higher but an associate degree is a great start to a career.
To prepare yourself properly, do extensive research on the college of your choice. See if their associate program can help you get into their bachelor program.
5. Research More Options
If you feel that your path to nursing is difficult, there are other paths to consider including:
- Diagnostic medical sonography
- Radiation therapy
- Dental hygeiene
The idea here is to take other prerequisites that can help you get into the nursing program in the future.
Research, ask questions, and do more research. Don’t waste a whole semester by being unprepared for what lies ahead in your college of choice’s nursing program.
