Career and School Info for RNs (Registered Nurses) in California

Nursing is more than a job. It entails compassion that comes from deep within ourselves that is often times not learned in any textbooks. Sometimes, the simplest things can become key components in a patient's recovery. Our attitudes also reflects in the care that we render to others. School only gives us the theory and knowledge base that we need to become competent, but what we do with that is up to us once we complete our training. How we are as nurses is going to be reflected in the care that we give.

Even though the cost of going to APU is high, since it is a private Christian University, it was worth it. I am impressed by the small class size at APU, which gave me the personal attention I needed during my training. APU is also close to home where my family, friends, and support structure are located, which provided me with the best education and resources to peruse my career goal to become a nurse.

I have selected an excellent school that is close to home, and I wish that I would have known how supportive this school's teachers and other staff is and how much a supportive environment benefits my learning experience. If I had known how helpful having an supportive environment is than I would have perhaps started at this education plan much earlier.

I would advise others to seek and keep supportive people around them at home with a strong family support, with supportive friendships and in seeking out the support of their schools educators and school mentors. Making use of all the schools support systems is an advantage, like for instance any tutoring you can get from your tutoring center or your teachers and peers. My school deserves an A+ in support, and my family has supported me in such a way that it has really been a combined effort to get me as far as I have come along in this process, and we will all benefit from my education in the future.

Although my family situation limited the number of nursing schools I could attend, I wish I had gathered some more information before I selected a school. First of all, I would have checked all prospective schools' NCLEX pass rates. Many schools do not advertise these rates, but they can be found by going to the state Board of Registered Nursing. Even though an NCLEX pass rate is not indicative of how any individual student will perform, it is something that provides some measure of the overall effectiveness of the nursing school. Along the same line, I would have asked how prospective nursing schools plan to help students pass NCLEX. Do they have a special or focused review program that is incorporated into the nursing curriculum?

I would also investigate the nursing schools' faculty. Does the faculty consist of well-seasoned nurses who remain current in the profession? Is the majority of the faculty passionate about nursing education, or are they burnt out nurses distanced from the profession looking to supplement their income? Again, this information may be difficult to uncover; however, future nursing students can interview current students or attend prospective student orientations that might point in one direction or another.

Additionally, I would look to see how and if a nursing school prepares students to look for their first nursing jobs upon graduation. Some schools have agreements with local hospitals in which they hold clinical rotations. Other schools provide career classes or counseling in the final semesters of nursing school. In today's economy, students stand to benefit from programs that help them find employment following graduation.

Finally, to protect myself, I would have looked into prospective schools' retention practices. Nursing school is a lengthy two or three-year commitment. While I have been fortunate, unexpected life crises or events have affected students in my class each semester that I have been in school. It is important to understand the schools policy on leaves of absence so that all of the hard work that a student has put in is not lost. Ask how the nursing school holds onto their students in the event of a crisis or unexpected event.