Find Jobs >> Browse Articles >> Career Trends
Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Nurse?
Megan Malugani / Monster Contributing Writer
Although people considering careers in nursing come from all walks of life, many potential nurses share a surprisingly common set of questions and concerns, such as “Can I get into nursing school?” and “Am I crazy to become a nurse at my age?” Two nurses and a nursing professor address wannabe nurses’ frequently asked questions.
How difficult is it to get into nursing school?
It’s pretty tough. In many nursing programs, competition is fierce for a limited number of spots, so students need stellar grades from high school or their first few years of college to earn acceptance into a program. Nursing schools simply don’t have the capacity to accept as many students as are qualified. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that US nursing schools turned away 40,285 qualified applicants in 2007-08 due to a shortage of nursing faculty, a lack of clinical placement sites and budget constraints. Persistence may be the key for those who are truly passionate about becoming nurses. “A lot of people I know had to [apply] more than once,” says Karen Burnett, RN, a labor and delivery nurse at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Some of Burnett’s friends even repeated courses to improve their grades.
kristinaheiner14
12 days ago
4 comments
HI :)
I am 20 years old and I have been interested in becoming a registered nurse!! I Know I am going to be great nurse someday- I am positive, caring, motherly, a great woker, etc. I do have concerns on how Im going to pay for my college?! Like where can I find scholarships or grants to apply for?! I have been looking but Im not sure if I am looking in the right direction!! Any suggestions!!!
THANKS =]
divad722002
15 days ago
28 comments
hi,
just new here at nursing link. do you still have the saunder review. if in case you should lend me my address is 8309 cedros avunue apt 209, panorama city , los angeles california, usa. my email divad722002@yahoo.com. landline-1818-894-2688.just arrive as immigrant and certifiied nurse in the philippines and planning to take the nclex to have licensed here in california. thanks and regards and advance merrychristmas and happy new year. your new co friend in the nursing link website.
dave
heartofanurse
about 1 month ago
4 comments
very supportive article
Shan4691
2 months ago
5402 comments
great info
USAFlightMedic
2 months ago
78 comments
A great recruiting article with a great deal of truth.
gospellove772003
2 months ago
650 comments
i always have had this desire to help people before i even knew what be a nurse was, i believe God gave this yearning to me because im such a tender hearted person and helping the people is my desire not only physically but mentally as well. iv heard said many times when something is for you its for you no matter what you have to go through with its yours.
judithbland
3 months ago
22 comments
I like being able to take care of people,i guess i have always been a care taker.One doctor i worked for told me i had a special gift and that God blessed me . Here i am 59 and still wanting
to be a nurse. I have worked in different fields but now it has been hard to really find a job. i would like to go to a LVN/LPN nursing school.I am a medical assistant at the present time.
amandadustin
3 months ago
2 comments
I graduated at 51 this year from a university with my BSN. I passed my boards in July and am beginning my first job as an RN. MANY times I wondered if I was making the right decision. It was a long grueling process. If I had not stuck with it (with the support of my husband and family)I would never have known the supreme satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that I now feel. What a thrill it is to know what I know and have earned the opportunity to continue to work and grow in a field that chose me as much as I chose it. Keep going. Your day will come.
dfktwins
3 months ago
6 comments
I am fifty years old and I graduated from the RN program December 17,2009. I took state boards in february and I passed and I have been working as an RN since then.I have not been in school for 25 yrs, I was terrified of math , and going to school with kids the same age of some of my children. However, I received the most support from the young ones. With Gods help, family and my new classmates, and tutors support I maintained a's and b's throughout school. I am speaking from my heart if I did it I am confident that all of you will make it. I went to school about fifty miles from home because the waiting list were so long near home, it was worth it! God bless all of you in your quest to nursing.
lorrainej
3 months ago
2 comments
I am 52 years old and am completing my prerequisites into nursing. I spent 27 years on Wall Street and after getting laid off twice, I decided to pursue my first dream. I am not a friend of math and it does not like me either, but I am taking my math classes at a slow pace. When I went to my orientation, I was pleasantly surprised to see other potential students, male and female in my age group and older. I know its going to be tough especially since I have not been in school for a long time. I have 3 more prerequisites to take (AP 1 & 2 and chemistry). I wish everyone here the best of luck and looking forward to working in the field of nursing.
KEILEIABROWN
3 months ago
2 comments
Well I have been out of high school for almost 20 years and math was never my strong suit and I only had to take your basic science classes. So now I have taking two science classes the both killed me and I'm a pretty good student I have gotten A's and B's in other subjects. So if and when you take this classes if you know your not strong in these areas get a tutor go to study groups. As I have to take these classes again and will follow my own advice.
simbacell
3 months ago
4 comments
I have been an LVN for more than a 5 years, I completed all my prerequisite and I am in waiting list for numerous schools, now my prerequisite it's more than 5 years old and many schools don't accept , I am so tired of looking for RN schools, private schools it's 70,000 dolllars and I can't afford, I don't trust those online courses, please let me know what other option I have.
navynurse74
3 months ago
2 comments
In order to apply for grants, including the Pell, you need to fill out the Free Application for Student Federal Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ (beware of other sites that charge you...FAFSA is free!). This is an application for both grants and student loans. Best of luck! :)
jeana3333
3 months ago
2 comments
i am going to a community college for nursing. i received a pell grant which they will help you. when you receive a pell grant there are other state grants that you automaticaaly get. these are grant that you dont pay back
DebIam4591
3 months ago
2 comments
I'm 54, have had the 25 year corporate career - but as a teenager I had always wanted to be a nurse...this was helpful - now if I can find the money through grants. I'm currently unemployed and would need to go to school full-time to make it. If anyone knows of a "real" site that I can go to for applying to such grants - please let me know. Thanking you all in advance.