Associate in Nursing - Napa Valley College (Winner)
Editors Note: This nursing student story essay was selected as the winner of Nursing Schools Scholarship for fall 2009. At the time of her submittal, the winner, Katherine Barresi, was on her way to an associate degree in nursing from Napa Valley College.
Wishes Had Known | Program Likes/Dislikes | Choosing NursingWhat do you wish you had known about selecting and entering your nursing school that would be helpful to others going into nursing?
Once you have decided to become a nurse, the next step is to decide which program and school would be best suited for you. There are a series of important questions you need to ask and research before attending your first day of class in order to achieve the level of success that you desire. In many states nursing programs are highly impacted so it is important that you become vigilant, organized, and know that in the end all the hard work will undoubtedly pay off.
The first question you need to ask is does your state require a Bachelor’s Degree or an Associate’s Degree in nursing in order to take the state licensing exam? Although this question may seem obvious, it can provide costly and timely mistakes and missteps if overlooked. The best way to answer this question is to look on your state’s nursing board website, or speak to a healthcare occupations counselor at your school or school of your choice. Some states only require a 2 year Associate’s Degree in Nursing in order to be eligible to take the state licensing exam, whereas others may require a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree.
The next question you want to ask is does the school you wish to attend offer a nursing program? If so, is it an accredited university? And is the program impacted? There are some private colleges and institutions that offer training or degrees in the nursing field, however the degrees may not be accredited; meaning they will not be recognized as valid if you move to a different state or even seek employment in your own state. Again the best place to find this information is on your state nursing board’s website or by speaking to a counselor at the institution you wish to attend. Also, when speaking to a counselor make sure to ask if the program is impacted. If so, there are usually a specific set of classes and guidelines you must follow in order to be considered for that school’s program. Make sure to stay on top and be familiar of all deadlines, meeting dates, and requirements while applying to the program of your choice.
In addition to the above important questions you should be asking, I wish I had known that I not all nursing programs are created equal. Just because a particular school may offer a program, does not mean that all of its graduates receive their nursing license. Again, on the state nursing board’s website, there is information regarding the percentage of nursing students from each program that actually pass their license exam after completing a program. This detail is critical because it is the training you receive in the nursing program that is preparing you for licensure, and it would be a huge setback to have worked and passed the entire program only to fail the license exam. Do not let pricey, private colleges fool you either. For example, there is a pricey private college in northern California that offers an Associates Degree in Nursing, but costs around $30,000 a year. Although there may be no wait list or lottery, it is pricey and only 67% of its graduates actually receive their license from the state board.
It is important to do your research first before deciding on a school and nursing program. Take into consideration your goals and try best to match them to what each school has to offer. Remember that each state has specific requirements, and nursing program requirements vary from school to school. Also be sure to research license exam results because not all programs are created equal. But above all, stay focused, do not loose hope. Although the challenges may seem frequent or insurmountable, they are achievable and the time will go by quickly. Do not be afraid to ask questions, or ask for help and remember that there are others out there who want you to succeed as well.
What have you enjoyed most and least during your nursing degree program so far?
There are many things that I have loved and that have challenged me on my journey, thus far, to becoming a nurse. Since the beginning of my journey I was pleasantly surprised by the willingness and eagerness of the educators and current healthcare professionals around me, to me succeed in my journey. They have all been very helpful, inspirational, and have provided the best advice and guidance possible. It has been a pleasant surprise to see others, complete strangers, so willing to help me fulfill my dreams of becoming a nurse.
I have also been pleasantly surprised by my fellow nursing students as well. At times, many colleges and programs can seem competitive. This attitude tends to backfire and ultimately hinders a nursing program, or student’s ability to achieve because it does not promote teamwork. Part of becoming a good nurse is learning to work as a team member with others in order to provide adequate care. What I have been pleasantly surprised by is the eagerness of other students for us to all make it towards our goal together. We form study groups, answer each other’s questions, and seek answers out together.
My journey towards becoming a nurse has not been without its unique challenges. I have had to sacrifice greatly both personally and financially to realize my dream. Nursing programs across the country are greatly impacted, and therefore just getting accepted into a program takes a high level of determination, organization, and optimism. Secondly, once in a program the material presented is new and is coupled with new physical skill sets that you are required to master. These new concepts and abilities all take various times to master, which required countless hours of studying and practice. Lastly, because of the demands of the nursing program, coupled with the required on-site clinical hours, I realize that I will not be able to work which would place anyone in dire financial circumstances.
Despite the hurdles, setbacks, or obstacles however, I still remain committed to my goal of becoming a nurse and know that all the sacrifice and hard work will undoubtedly be beneficial to me in the end. The non-academic lesson that my journey has taught me over and over again thus far, is that some of the biggest challenges that we face in life will often reap the biggest reward and sense of accomplishment when we realize we can overcome them. And I look forward to that sense of accomplishment on my graduation day.
What led you to choose nursing as a career path?
I always knew I wanted to be in healthcare. Furthermore, I knew that the only way to reach that goal was to go to college. When I started to attend college I explored all the different possibilities and types of professions that the healthcare field offered; physicians, specialists, radiation technology, lab specialists, and even pharmacology. However, it wasn’t until I discovered nursing that I realized I found the profession that I wanted to be a part of.
When I began my research I started by looking up the basic job description of a nurse. I was curious, what exactly does a nurse do? How much training do you need in order to be a nurse? How great is the need for nurses? What I found in my research is that nurses serve as the vital link in various areas of healthcare. They not only act as a bridge between physicians and patients in the hospital, they now often are utilized in a variety of settings outside the hospital to help provide care in their surrounding communities. They are at times directly involved with the patient, and other times they provide knowledge and support. What I also discovered is that to be a nurse you do not need attend college for many years, and then embark on years of specialized training like a physician does. Today, many state universities and even community colleges offer excellent nursing programs to help train you. In addition, many states only require a 2 year degree to take the licensing exam. And finally, it is apparent that the need for nurses is great. With the current population getting older and living longer, more and more nurses will be needed in the coming years to help facilitate the increased need for care.
In addition to my research I also reached out to talk with nurses and those pursing the nursing profession. What I found was astonishing to say the least, and reinforced my decision to become a nurse. Nurses are among the highest respected and admired professionals working in healthcare today. This is due in large part to their collective dedication to provide excellent care, and their willingness, flexibility, and ability to adapt to any situation in order to reach that collective goal. Nurses are everywhere, helping everyone and continue remain one of healthcare’s most vitally important members to date. Whether inside the hospital, at local clinics, or behind the scenes providing accurate knowledge and attention, it is the nurses who work to ensure that the patient remain the focus of healthcare today.
What I love and anticipate most about becoming a nurse is the sense of purpose, accomplishment, and comradely I will experience on graduation day. Becoming a nurse will not only make me an important member in the healthcare team, it will also give my the opportunity to work closely with people to provide care; while at the same time allowing my future to be flexible with infinite possibilities.