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

I felt very fortunate because I was able to talk with students who were further along in the program. They were able to give advice about time management, how to approach material, study keys, and self care. There were questions I did not know to ask about, such as the hidden costs, which would have been helpful in knowing about. Also, we had older students who made themselves available on a regular basis for Q&A sessions and for one on one interaction. Their willingness to answer questions and to share their experiences really helped.

I would have liked to be better informed about the expenses that come at the end of the nursing degree, including fees for licensure, NCLEX, review courses, etc., that are recommended but are not addressed in advance. I cannot speak for other programs, but it would be good to ask about the hidden time and money costs that may not be so evident as you consider a program.

Most of all, I think it is important to visit and to see what the environment is like in the classroom and among the faculty and students. A positive, relational environment fosters the growth and development of strong nurses. It is important to select a program that meets the individual needs and expectations of each student. For me, Vanderbilt fit perfectly.

I wish I had known there was an evening and weekend program available. This option was not mentioned to me. I was automatically registered for the day program. The evening and weekend program students go during the summer, yet they graduate a semester earlier.

I also would like to have known the radius of the area in which they choose their clinical sites for students. I commute to school each day. It takes an hour and a half one way to get to school and clinical. Several people have requested other clinical sites, but the instructors said there were not enough students willing to go to those clinical sites. Therefore, some students commute almost two hours to clinical.

I wish I had known to inquire about class size, the smaller the class size the more informal it seems to be. It is a good idea to see if the schools you are interested in require HESI testing for graduation. For the schools that do require HESI it puts a lot of added stress on the students. I would also advise going to prospective schools and taking a tour, talking with counselors, and talking with current students. The best resource you have available is students who are currently enrolled in the program.