Before you begin the experience of nursing training, you must start by applying to a nursing program. Getting started in the field of nursing requires the successful completion of a nursing program, and fortunately applying to a nursing program has never been easier. Nowadays you can attend online nursing school where a program typically lasts for two to three years, depending on the nursing degree you wish to obtain and your current post secondary education level. Another option other than getting your degree online is one of the hundreds of nursing programs available around the US, as well as abroad.
In order to being the application process, you must consider your personality. Are you intelligent? Are you able to adapt and learn new skills? Do you have strong character that will help you persevere even in the most traumatic situations? Most of all, are you interested in working in the medical field? If this sounds like you, then perhaps nursing is the perfect job for you.
Educationally you must at least have a basic high school diploma, home school diploma that is certified, or a GED certificate. While in high school, you should have taken courses that were heavy in math and sciences, and you should have been successful in these courses. If you have not been in school for several years, or you did poorly in these subjects, you should consider hiring a tutor to brush you up on these areas of focus. Programs that prepare students to get their GED or to take the SAT or ACT offer tutoring programs would be applicable in your situation. You can also attend online refresher courses if you feel comfortable teaching yourself the material.
Begin the exciting process of weeding through nursing school programs that interest you. Start by making a list of all of the colleges and universities that you are interested in attending, either because of location, good reputation, or strong success rate of graduates. Then research each school to see if they offer a nursing program and what fields of nursing they include in their diploma or degree programs. You can find such information online or via a catalog available upon request at most colleges and universities. Consider if an online program would be more beneficial to you. Most of the top colleges and universities around the nation now offer online nursing programs that are quite outstanding. Other information to note about each program, offline or online, is whether they require prerequisite courses, what their costs are, how long the program will take, and what kind of in person training or internships are offered.
Narrow down your choices to at least three schools. Consider choosing one school that is in your proximity, one school that is the school you most want to attend, and one safe school that you are most likely to get accepted to as a backup in case the other schools fall through. Get an application packet from each school and make a note of the dates the application and supporting documents are due. You will need your high school or home school transcripts along with your application, as well as letters of recommendation, a letter stating you have received all of your immunizations, and a personal statement essay stating why you think you are best suited for the school.
You will need to pay an application fee for each of the applications, which will typically range from $25 to $150 depending on the school. For a nursing program you will need to have at least a 2.5 GPA to have any chance of being accepted. A past history of working as a volunteer in a medical facility will aid your prospects of being accepted after applying to a nursing program.