There are multiple financial aid options, such as scholarships and grants available to any nursing student. To qualify for financial aid at a nursing school, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The government provides FAFSA as a resource for adults looking to go to school and offers grants, such as the Pell Grant, to qualified students to pay for their education. Nurses are in high demand, and often medical offices have a tuition reimbursement program to train employees. Hospitals offer tuition reimbursement to full- or part-time workers who want to work as a certified nursing assistant and then become a registered nurse.
In nursing school, you spend a lot of time in clinicals, which are classes held in patient care situations such as hospitals and clinics. How you participate in clinicals defines you as a nursing student. The secrets to doing well in clinicals are timeliness and performance. Before clinicals, review all the information from the unit and any lecture notes from the week. During clinicals, assist your teacher when asked and answer questions, then learn from the more experienced nurses around you.
Another secret involves how to manage time. Successful nursing students usually invest in paper calendars or electronic devices with schedulers. There are many important dates while in nursing school, such as exams, essay due dates, clinicals, appointments, study group sessions and time off. Teachers definitely know the students who never miss a class or clinical, and who are always on time and well prepared.
The last part of nursing school is earning a license. In order to work as a nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Some secrets for passing the test are forming a study group, purchasing the latest NCLEX study test and asking for help from your teacher. Since the NCLEX determines whether or not you can practice, buy the NCLEX study test early, then meet with other students and go over each section.