January 17, 2022
Healthcare is the fastest-growing industry in the country and will add about 2.6 million new jobs in the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re interested in a healthcare career, nursing is a rewarding and often high-paying option. The median yearly pay ranges from about $49,000 for licensed practical nurses to nearly $118,000 for advanced practice registered nurses.
You may also find our post The Highest-Paying States for Nurses valuable.
Keep reading to learn what you can expect during nursing school, five tips for preparing for nursing school, and some key items you may need to purchase before your classes begin.
Nursing School: What to Expect
Nursing school is notoriously challenging. The curriculum may vary from one school to another, but there are three main types of courses:
- In a traditional classroom setting, you’ll learn foundational knowledge that will prepare you for your career as a nurse. The specific courses you need to take may vary from one nursing program to another. You may study subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and pharmacology.
- Simulation lab. Simulation labs are built to resemble real healthcare settings, such as emergency departments or operating rooms. You’ll work through mock nursing scenarios and practice your skills on simulated patients (actors) or life-like mannequins. Simulation lab helps you build your confidence and get ready to look after real patients.
- Clinical rotations. Clinical rotations help you gain real-life experience as a nurse. You’ll have supervised interactions with real patients at local hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
How to Prepare for Nursing School
There are some key steps you may need to take before you’re ready to start your education in nursing. Below, we’ve outlined our top five tips for preparing for nursing school.
1. Decide What Type of Nurse You Want to Be
Before you head off to nursing school, you’ll need to decide what type of nursing career you’d like to have. There are three main categories of nurses in the United States, and all play a vital role in the healthcare system:
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). LPNs work under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. They may monitor patients’ vital signs or perform basic patient care tasks, such as changing wound dressings or inserting catheters.
- Registered Nurses (RN). RNs work as part of a healthcare team to care for patients and coordinate patients’ care. They may assess patients, administer medicines, and operate medical equipment. As an RN, you could specialize in one or more areas of practice, such as oncology, critical care, or rehabilitation.
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). APRNs may work independently or with physicians. They may perform specialized tasks, from diagnosing illnesses to referring patients to specialists. Types of APRNs include nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners.
2. Research Nursing Programs in Your Area
Nursing programs are offered at trade schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges across the country. You can visit the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website to search for nursing programs in your state. Before you apply, consider taking a tour of the school, talking to current nursing students, or chatting with an admissions counselor to make sure it’s a good fit.
Check out our post on the Top 7 Considerations for Choosing a Nursing School that Fits You.
3. Prepare for Your TEAS Test
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a national standardized exam that measures your readiness to work in the health science fields. It has 170 multiple choice questions and covers reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage. A good score will help you get into the nursing school of your choice. About 40% of students need to take the TEAS test more than once. You can set yourself up for success by studying beforehand with the help of a study manual or practice test.
4. Check Off Other Prerequisites
The nursing school of your choice may have other requirements, in addition to passing the TEAS test. Check with your admissions counselor to find out what other boxes you need to check off before starting nursing school. For example, your school might need you to write a personal essay, get letters of recommendation, or attend an interview with an admissions committee. Some nursing schools might want you to have healthcare-related volunteer experience.
5. Consider Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant
If your dream is to become an LPN, RN, or APRN, you may want to get your start as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Nursing assistants help patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing or using the toilet. They also perform basic care tasks under the supervision of LPNs or RNs, such as taking blood pressure. Working as a CNA could help you get real-world experience in healthcare settings. You could also meet nurses and make connections that could help you in your career.
What to Purchase for Nursing School
Preparing for nursing school may involve doing some shopping for nursing school supplies! There are some key items that you’ll need during your studies, as well as some things that could make your life easier. Your program will provide a nursing school supplies list, and the items you may need or want to buy include:
- The essential nursing uniform, scrubs are available in a variety of colors and styles. Check your school’s dress code, and then shop scrubs for women or scrubs for men.
- Supportive shoes. The right shoes will help keep your feet comfortable during long clinical shifts. Choose from stylish athletic shoes and easy-to-clean clogs.
- Compression socks. Compression socks may provide the support you need during long days on your feet. Shop for stylish compression socks.
- As a nurse, your stethoscope will be one of your go-to tools. Pick up a high-quality stethoscope that fits your budget. And why not buy a fun, decorative charm to help your stethoscope stand out?
- Nursing watch. From checking patients’ heart rates to monitoring blood pressure, nurses rely on their watches. Look for a medical watchwith a second hand.
Whether you choose to become an LPN, RN, or APRN, nursing can be a rewarding and well-paying career. To learn more about your future career, check out our latest blog posts.
