{"id":7518,"date":"2020-07-07T18:34:12","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T22:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=7518"},"modified":"2024-12-17T10:01:58","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T15:01:58","slug":"nursing-school-preparation-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/nursing-school-preparation-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Nursing School Preparation Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nurses are so important to our healthcare system. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 proves just how important our frontline workers are, especially the ones who are caring for the sick and injured. If you are thinking about starting a <\/span>nursing school program<\/span><\/a> in the fall, you may be wonderi<\/span>ng what you can do to get yourself ready. Nursing school preparation is no joke, but it is well-worth the time and effort.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The future is bright for Registered Nurses (RN). <\/span>Accor<\/span>ding to the <\/span>Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a>, R<\/span>Ns<\/span> make an average salary of $73.3K per year, and the job<\/span> growth expected for nurses is 12<\/span> percent \u2013<\/span> much faster than the average for all occupations!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are ready to jumpstart your career as a nurse<\/span>, you are in for quite the adventure. Nursing is a challenging but <\/span>highly <\/span>rewarding role. <\/span>Have you already enrolled <\/span>in<\/span> a program that\u2019s about to start? <\/span>Some students find that getting into a nursing program is a challenge. There are many <\/span>prerequisites to fulfill<\/span><\/a> before a nursing school will accept your application. But if you\u2019re already there, and ready to start school<\/span> soon, y<\/span>ou may be wondering what you can do to <\/span>prepare<\/span>. <\/span>Read on, as we share <\/span>a<\/span> nursing school preparation checklist <\/span>to complete<\/span> before the semester begins.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Get Your Background Check & Drug Screening<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll start with the most common nursing school prerequisite that students must complete. At Goodwin University, your tuition will cover the cost of both the background check and drug screening that is required<\/span> for enrollment<\/span>. These tests ensure that every prospective nursing student is qualified and fit for <\/span>a patient-care setting. This also confirms if there are results that may hinder licensure down the road, once the nursing program is complete.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Get <\/span><\/b>Up to Date<\/span><\/b> on Immunizations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you begin your nursing school program, you must be<\/span> healthy \u2013 both mentally and physically. <\/span>As a nursing student, you will be placed in real-life patient care and clinical settings. Before enrollment, b<\/span>e sure to go to the doctor for a checkup<\/span> and while you\u2019re there, get<\/span> up to date<\/span> on your immunizations. <\/span>Mandatory immunizations <\/span>for nursing school <\/span>may include <\/span>hepatitis<\/span> B, chickenpox, meningitis, rubella, tetanus, and tuberculosis<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Earn Required Certifications<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every prospective nursing student must first become Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certified before beginning their nursing program. This certification may be earned through the American Heart Association or the <\/span>Red Cross. Proof of certification must be s<\/span>ubmitted each year in nursing school. <\/span>Each student is responsible for the costs related to obtaining \u2013 and maintaining \u2013 the CPR certification.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Determine<\/span><\/b> Your Work-School-Life Balance<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An important step in <\/span>preparing for <\/span>nursing school is figuring out how you are going to balance it all. If you have a job, you\u2019ll want to make sure the hours won\u2019t conflict with your classes or study time. If you have a family to care for, you\u2019ll want to consider childcare arrangements and <\/span>setting time aside to study when you\u2019re not in class. <\/span>It helps to be enrolled in a nursing school that <\/span>offers<\/span> flexibility. At Goodwin University,<\/span> classes are offered days, nights, and clinicals are offered days, nights, and weekends, too. <\/span>Depending upon your program<\/span><\/a>, many of the nursing classes at Goodwin are offered online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format (a combination of online and on-campus)<\/span>. This will give you time to fit in the classwork when you need it and maintain your professional and personal obligations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Get the Right Gear<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you <\/span>prepare to <\/span>start your<\/span> nursing school<\/span><\/a> journey, you\u2019ll want to be ready to take on clinicals in the right clothing and footwear. <\/span>It\u2019s important to have quality scrubs that will last. <\/span>Check with your school so you know ahead of time if they require certain color<\/span>ed scrubs. <\/span>For example, m<\/span>any nursing schools require white scrub pants<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As any nurse would tell you – you will be on your feet <\/span>a lot<\/span><\/i>. Comfortable footwear is important. Your school may also have certain requirements <\/span>regarding<\/span> shoes, as well, s<\/span>o be sure to check before making a purchase.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Stock Up on Supplies\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remember in high school, when you would need to stock up on the right school supplies for your classes? The same rings true for nursing school<\/span> \u2013<\/span> only in nursing school, you will need certain supplies to help with clinicals. You\u2019ll want to purchase the following items:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n