Nursing Schools are challenging, and with the nature of a nursing career and Medical Training, it is truly a trial by fire. I am enrolled in a nursing program and will graduate the LVN program in August 2007. I attend evening and weekend classes to work around my current job. Going to school and working is tiring, but sometimes magical! It would definitely be easier if you could attend school full-time and not work. However it’s not impossible to survive, you just have to forget about a life for up to 2 years.

To be in the medical field, you must have hands-on experience, and no Medical Training would be complete without the opportunity to interact with real patients. I have discovered, both by my own learning curve and by watching my fellow students, that no matter how “book smart” you are, there must be clinical practice to be an effective nurse. The mannequins we use for procedures such as injections, insertion of NG tubes, catheters, and assessments just don’t give you the feel of a real body, nor does it give you the feedback (both good or bad), depending on the procedure.

It is very important to research the Nursing Schools you are considering on attending, and to consider the various Nursing Careers that are available to you. Be sure you will be satisfied with the level you aim for. Will LVN allow you to do what you want? Are there other Nursing Careers that may be more suited to you?

You need to check that the private Nursing Schools you are considering are accredited to state and/or national standards if you may consider expanding your career into other nursing specialities later. What qualification does the program lead to, an AA or a BS? Will your license be for your state only? If you decide to move to a community college or university and do a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, which credits from your private nursing school study will be able to be cross-credited?

Cost is another important consideration. It’s easier to get into a private nursing school, but, they are also a lot more expensive than a community college program. I went with a private school because the waiting list for my local community college was too long. The next opening in the RN program was for 2011! I paid more so that I could get my education in a workable timeframe.

And finally, I would like to offer one suggestion– sign up for the tour and perhaps try out being a student for the day. Attend a class and make an effort to interact with teachers and other students in order to get a good feel of the type of environment the school offers. This will give you a good idea of what it’ll be like for the next two years that you’ll be attending the school. With this experience, you may even decide that it’s not for you. Take note of the pace and structure of teaching and decide whether it’s suited to how you learn. Also pay attention to the staff; are they helpful? Judging the environment earlier on will give you a glimpse on how satisfied you will be once you enroll.

– Melissa G. Wells