How to Prepare for a Nursing Career in High School

High school students interested in pursuing nursing or any of the "helping" professions as a career could begin their preparation in several ways, not all of which are obvious. Academic preparation is always important and the sciences will be key. Courses like biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology or even physics will help students build a foundation for the more detailed science courses they will have to take in college as a prerequisite for nursing. Algebra will also be helpful, since nurses need to use math skills in many ways, most importantly when working with medications for their patients.

In nursing, as in any field where people are the focus of the profession, communication is extremely important. Strong written and oral communication skills are vital, so any courses that foster the development of these skills are quite beneficial.

Many health occupations require shadowing experiences prior to application to their programs. Although nursing is not yet one of the professions requiring shadowing experiences, it would still be beneficial for high school students to look at the daily work of nurses in different practice areas. Shadowing health care providers for a few hours at a time can also help high school students determine which of the helping professions are most interesting to them. At the same time, any kind of high school class that explores health care professions will be appropriate.

Finally, extracurricular activities can also play into a student's preparation for a nursing career. Obviously, volunteer work at any health care facility helps a student learn about opportunities within the helping professions and offers some practical experience. Also, activities that promote the development of leadership skills, such as scouts or school clubs, are helpful in developing self-confidence, an important attribute in the field.

With proper foresight and planning, high school students can help themselves tremendously when preparing for a nursing program. Academic preparation, as well as extracurricular and practical experiences, can go a long way to making pre-nursing courses and nursing school a success. Even in high school, taking these steps will help make a nursing profession a reality.

Editorial provided by Dr. Lynne Connelly, Director of Nursing at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.