A school of nursing is an accredited educational institution. The school may be a freestanding institution or it may be part of a larger academic complex such as a university. In order to get a diploma from a nursing school, students typically attend school for 18 months to as long as four years. Attending nursing school can be tough. Classes focus on the hard sciences and practical nursing procedures.
Attend Full Time
Required nursing classes such as microbiology often have extensive lab requirements and homework. Potential nurses are required to complete at least one semester of full-time hands-on work in a hospital. This part of nursing education is called clinical education. Clinical education consists of observation and practice of standard nursing procedures. A student nurse may be able to squeeze in work hours after daily attendance requirements have been completed, but this is very difficult to achieve.
Secure Financing
Nursing credits typically cost as much as standard college credits. Additional costs may also include funds for books, transportation and living expenses if attending school full time. Some states will allow forgiveness of student loans if a nurse works in a specific area of need upon graduation and licensure. Securing the funds to pay for nursing classes in advance will help relieve financial anxiety and allow you to focus on learning.
Support
Nursing school requires intense concentration. Students must absorb new material in a short time, and this can be a lonely and frustrating process. One of the best ways to help decrease stress is to form a study group. A study group can help students clarify material they may not fully understand.
Other ways to find support are through mentors or online communities devoted to nursing.
Tags: nursing classes, nursing procedures, study group