Nursing Programs for High School Students: A Comprehensive Guide

For high school students with aspirations of entering the nursing field, there are numerous avenues to explore and prepare for a future in healthcare. This article provides a comprehensive overview of nursing programs, preparatory steps, and valuable resources available to high school students interested in pursuing a nursing career.

Preparing for Nursing School in High School

It's possible to get a head start on the competitive nursing school admissions process while still in high school. Laying a solid foundation can significantly increase your chances of acceptance and future success.

Academic Preparation

Prioritize Science and Math Courses: Nursing schools often have high admission standards, making a strong academic record essential. Focus on core subjects like biology, chemistry, and statistics.
Take Specialized Courses: If your school offers courses like anatomy and physiology, consider enrolling to gain a deeper understanding of the human body.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: AP courses can expose you to college-level coursework and potentially earn you college credit. Even if credit isn't awarded, demonstrating the ability to handle challenging material can impress admission committees.
Dual Credit Programs: Some high schools partner with local colleges, allowing students to take pre-nursing courses for dual credit. This provides a head start on college coursework and demonstrates a strong commitment to nursing.
Focus on English and Writing: Colleges prefer applicants with solid writing and communication skills, so English and writing courses can boost your admission chances.

Extracurricular Activities and Experiences

Earn Basic Life Support/First Aid Certification: Obtaining certifications in first aid and basic life support through organizations like the Red Cross or the American Heart Association demonstrates a commitment to patient care and provides valuable skills. Some nursing schools may even require these certifications as prerequisites.
Seek Nursing Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering in healthcare settings like hospitals, assisted living facilities, or clinics provides valuable exposure to the healthcare environment. Shadowing nurses can offer insights into the daily realities of the profession.
Find a Nursing Mentor: A nursing mentor can provide personalized guidance and advice throughout your education and career. Connect with nurses in your community through volunteering or shadowing and seek mentorship opportunities.
Join Healthcare Organizations: Consider joining organizations like HOSA-Future Health Professionals to connect with other aspiring healthcare professionals and access valuable resources.
Attend Campus Visits and Events: Take advantage of campus tours and preview programs offered by nursing colleges to experience campus life and learn more about specific programs. High school juniors and seniors are invited to experience a day in the life of our nursing students. Your child will be able to attend a class, get hands-on experience in our SIMCARE CENTERTM, and speak with faculty members and current students.

Research and Planning

Research Nursing Degree Types and Admission Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the different academic pathways to becoming a nurse, such as Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Understand the specific admission requirements for each program.
Research Nursing School Entrance Exams: Nursing schools may require applicants to take specific entrance exams like the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test or the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
Check NCLEX Pass Rates: A crucial factor in evaluating nursing schools is their NCLEX-RN pass rate. High pass rates indicate a school's effectiveness in preparing students for licensure and their careers.
Stay Up to Date on Nursing Trends and Issues: Keeping informed about current trends and issues in nursing demonstrates your interest and can provide valuable insights during interviews and in your future career.

Nursing Programs for High School Students

While high school students cannot directly enroll in nursing school, several programs offer valuable experiences and preparation for future nursing studies.

Summer Nursing Programs

These programs provide hands-on experience, allowing students to explore the nursing profession in-depth and gain practical skills. They demonstrate a strong interest in healthcare and can enhance college applications.

Here are some examples of summer nursing programs for high school students:

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

The Seacole Scholars Program (Providence, RI): This program is designed for students keen on a career in healthcare. The nursing program selects around 80 scholars with CNA licenses and gives them a chance to work on the nursing units for 4 days a week while spending one day a week attending Lifespan Workforce and Youth Development training ensuring that they get a well-rounded practical as well as academic experience. Students will gain substantial real-world experience and engage in components such as career counseling. Eligibility: High school students aged 16-19 with valid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licenses can apply.
Kaiser Permanente (KP) Launch High School Program (Northern California): This summer nursing program for high school students to gain experience in the healthcare industry. In addition to learning how to be a young medical practitioner, the program is focused on professional development where you will engage in shadowing activities and educational workshops to understand patient care and how the entire health industry works. Selected students will attend weekly workshops to develop their skills, work and interact with supervisors and mentors, work on collaborative community service projects with peers, and build a network. Students will need to commute to the location.
Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program (Los Angeles, CA): Offers students the chance to work in different hospitals with medical mentors and experts. To ensure that you can get hands-on experience, the program assigns you to a hospital in the Los Angeles area, like the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, to observe and help out with various medical procedures, treatment plans, and patient care to gain exposure as a young nurse and health care worker. At the end of the program, each participant will also receive a certificate of completion . Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th-grade students are eligible to apply.
Summer Health Institute for Nursing Exploration and Success (SHINES) at UC Davis (Sacramento, CA): This dynamic summer program provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the field of nursing, emphasizing both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. You will engage in interactive workshops, clinical simulations, and lab activities designed to mirror real-life nursing scenarios. You will learn about various nursing specialties, patient care techniques, and the critical role nurses play in healthcare delivery. Eligibility: Current high school students in their junior or senior year
Summer Nurse Camp at Seattle Children’s Hospital (Seattle, WA): This one-week camp is designed to provide an immersive experience in the world of nursing and healthcare. You will engage in hands-on activities, simulations, and interactive sessions led by experienced nurses and healthcare professionals. The program includes workshops in various nursing specialties such as CICU, NICU, and PICU, patient care techniques, and the essential skills required in the nursing profession. Eligibility: Students must be entering their junior or senior year of high school and be at least 16 years old by the start of camp. Students must reside in the Puget Sound area.
University of Washington Nurse Camp (Seattle, WA): This experience includes hands-on learning opportunities, workshops, and direct interaction with nursing professionals. During the camp, you will engage in clinical simulations to understand various aspects of patient care, participate in interactive workshops on nursing skills and techniques, and learn about different nursing specialties and the diverse roles nurses play in healthcare. Eligibility: Current high school students who are 16 years of age by the first day of UW Nurse Camp
High School Nurse Camp at the University of Portland (Portland, OR): This week-long summer program provides high school students with a hands-on introduction to the nursing profession, where they will build a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills. During the camp, you will engage in clinical simulations to experience real-world nursing scenarios, learn fundamental nursing skills such as taking vital signs, performing CPR, and wound care, and participate in interactive workshops that cover various nursing specialties and healthcare topics. Eligibility: Current high school students who are 16 years of age by the first day of Nurse Camp
Teens in Nursing at Hospice of the Valley (Phoenix, AZ): This volunteer program is designed to provide young individuals with a comprehensive introduction to healthcare, allowing them to work alongside professional nurses and other healthcare staff. You will engage in a range of tasks, including patient care, administrative support, and assisting with daily operations within hospice care settings. Eligibility: Must be in high school and under 18 years of age
Nurse Camp at CompassRN (Houston, Texas City, Dallas, TX): This free, week-long summer program blends practical, hands-on activities with educational sessions with a goal to inspire and inform future healthcare professionals. During the camp, you will engage in interactive nursing skills labs, where you will learn and practice essential techniques such as taking vital signs, administering injections, and performing basic patient care. Eligibility: Current high school students.
Nursing Camp at West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV): This educational camp will allow you to explore various aspects of nursing through hands-on activities, interactive sessions, and direct interactions with nursing faculty and current nursing students. You will gain insights into the daily responsibilities of nurses, understand different nursing specialties, and learn about the educational pathways leading to a nursing career. Eligibility: Current high school students

Other Programs and Opportunities

The Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS) program: Trains and mentors underrepresented high school students interested in careers focusing on cancer research and other health professions.
Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer: A cancer research training program for high school and college students interested in careers in biomedicine. The program also welcomes secondary science educators.
CPS CTE program: Established to increase the number of Chicago’s youth recruited into Chicago’s healthcare workforce.
Collegiate Scholars Program: During the summer months, Collegiate Scholars take courses in humanities, social sciences, and mathematics, taught by University of Chicago faculty on the UChicago campus.
NSLC (National Student Leadership Conference): Provides an immersive pre-college experience that prepares students for life beyond high school, allowing them to study in university classrooms, learn to navigate a campus, and experience living with roommates.

Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing: A Detailed Look

For students aiming for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a comprehensive four-year undergraduate program.

Admission Process

Apply to Emory College or Oxford College: High school students must first apply for freshman admission through Emory University's Office of Undergraduate Admission. Emory offers two distinct undergraduate experiences:
- Emory College (Atlanta, GA): Suited for students who value academic independence and access to a large city's resources, including hands-on industry and internship opportunities.
- Oxford College (Oxford, GA): Ideal for students seeking a smaller, intimate campus with early leadership opportunities, smaller classes, and close interaction with professors. Oxford students transition to Emory's Atlanta campus as juniors.
Complete Prerequisites: After acceptance to Emory College or Oxford College, students complete the first two years of general education. Application to the nursing program is possible while prerequisites are in progress, but all required courses must be completed before enrolling in the BSN program in the fall semester of the junior year.

Guaranteed Admission

Emory students who meet specific requirements are automatically admitted to the School of Nursing:

GPA Requirement: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher guarantees admission. Students with a GPA below 3.0 will be placed on a waitlist for further review.

Application Requirements

Emory University undergraduates must submit the following items to the BSN program:

Application for Admission
Copy of Emory transcript
Transcripts from institutions outside of Emory University, including dual-enrollment credits and any transfer credit
Resume/CV
Optional personal statement

The $50 application fee and standardized test scores are manually waived for Emory University students.

General Education Requirements

All first-degree BSN students must satisfy Emory University Nursing General Education Requirements (GERs) in addition to prerequisite requirements to matriculate to the School of Nursing. Failure to provide official transcripts showing these requirements by orientation will result in removal from classes and admission rescinded. The Nursing Office of the Registrar has final approval of courses meeting GER and prerequisite requirements.

Read also: Getting Into Nursing School

Emory/Oxford College students must complete all first- and second-year requirements (e.g., ECS101, HLTH100, PE, First Year Seminar). Please contact your advisor to ensure you fulfill these requirements.

Additional elective courses will be needed to meet 60 credit hours, excluding pathophysiology, pharmacology, technical, or some applied art, music, or theater courses.

Nursing Education

The final two years are dedicated to nursing education at Emory's School of Nursing, involving clinical and classroom learning. BSN graduates are prepared for diverse healthcare practices.

Accreditation

Emory University and its Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing hold accreditations from various organizations, ensuring high educational standards.

Paying for Nursing School

Investing in a nursing education is a significant financial commitment. Understanding financial aid options is crucial.

Read also: Chamberlain University Costs

Financial Aid Categories

Grants: Funds that do not require repayment.
Loans: Funds that must be repaid after graduation.
Work-Study: Part-time employment in educationally related or community service roles.

Steps to Explore Financial Aid

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Consult college Financial Aid Advisors.
Collect Necessary Documentation: Driver’s license, Social Security card, tax returns, parent’s tax returns (if applicable), W2 forms, bank statements.

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