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

If I were to speak to others that are considering entering the nursing field, I would tell them to carefully research their choices before making any definite decisions. I love the school that I am atending, but I only chose it for convienence. It was close to my house and my babysitters. It was also lower cost because it was a community college.

I do wish that I had looked at other programs around the same area though because the cost might have been worth it if I didn't have to wait so long. Since my school is lower cost, the wait list is longer than most to get into the program. After I had already been doing all of these things for the program at my school, I didn't want to transfer and risk losing some, if not all of my credits. If I had only looked into this more before deciding to just go ahead, then I might already be a nurse, not still waiting to even get into the program.

When selecting Grand Valley State University's Kirkhof College of Nursing, I wish I had known that my school emphasizes science classes in its curriculum. I enjoyed science classes such as pharmacology and pathophysiology, for which I could see a direct connection to nursing, but I struggled with staying motivated in classes like biological chemistry which at the time seemed irrelevant. I have since come to the realization that nursing as a profession has become more science and technology oriented and adapted to the changes as much as possible, but I wish I would have been more prepared.

Had I known about all of the science prerequisites that my school requires, I would have taken more science courses in high school. I have recently had several high school students ask me how to prepare for nursing school, and I have advised them to take as many science classes as their schedules will allow. In spite of these new guidelines, I have also advised other students not to lose the original intention of the nursing profession. While I am aware that science is an important area of study for future nurses, I also want to encourage nursing students that caring for others is the true heart of nursing.

I believe what would have been important to know is understanding how class sizes and school sizes affect your education. Knowing that you have a dedicated advisor that is not overloaded with other students and that your classes will not be overcrowded is very important. It's just one more step to help a student along the way to graduating successfully. Also knowing that your school has resources for Nursing students to use when studying for exams and that those resources are also being utilized from the beginning to help prepare the student for the Nursing Board exams is also very important. Students need to make sure that they are comfortable with their school and feel that they can succeed from the get-go.