The healthcare system has a large variety of highly specialized professions centered on people’s well-being.
One of these areas is nursing.
It’s one of the most popular fields in healthcare and it’s characterized by the dedication, attention, and critical thinking of its professionals.
Several career options in nursing can be a great fit for you depending on your interests, short-term and long-term plans, and your budget.
In the next few sections, we’ll discuss the most important facts about Nursing School, including how much it would cost.
Table of Contents
What Is Nursing?
As previously mentioned, nursing is one of the most well-known careers in the healthcare system.
Nursing not only means assessing and monitoring the needs and overall health of a patient, but it also means establishing a direct and constant connection with the patient, something that allows professionals in this area to have a better understanding of what that specific patient might need according to their personal and health characteristics.
What Is Nursing School?
If you want to study nursing, you must enroll in Nursing School.
There are various diplomas and degrees that you can obtain in this area, so it will mostly depend on what your plans are for your future, the time you have to study a career, and your budget.
In Nursing School, you can study to become an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) or obtain an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), or a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) if you aspire to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
However, it’s important to mention that some individuals tend to first obtain a lower level of education in nursing and then continue to get specialized according to their preferences and possibilities.
But it’s a great way to know if nursing is the best fit for you before engaging in greater time and budget commitments.
What Are the Entry Requirements to Apply to Nursing School?
The entry requirements will vary not only depending on the degree you choose, but also depending on the school and state where you wish to study.
The most common entry requirements for Nursing School are having a high school diploma or equivalent, having taken specific classes in high school that will prepare the student for advanced classes in Nursing School, your GPA score, and previous experience.
High School Diploma or GED
You must have previously obtained a high school diploma or have passed the General Educational Development (GED) test, which will also allow you to apply to Nursing School.
Nursing School Prerequisites
The majority of Nursing Schools have prerequisites, which means that students must have taken certain classes (and have passed them with at least a C) in high school that will allow them to take advanced classes later in Nursing School.
These are usually biology, chemistry, and college-preparatory math.
GPA
The Grade Point Average (GPA) indicates your average score in high school, colleges, and graduate schools.
In certain Nursing Schools, there might be a required GPA in order to apply, so it’s important to check first.
The required GPA will likely change according to the school where you want to apply.
Previous Experience
Another common requirement is having previous experience as a volunteer, particularly in the healthcare sector.
However, any other type of volunteering experience that is focused on helping others, could still help.
How Long Does Nursing School Last?
The duration of Nursing School depends on the degree you select and the time you have to study if you can manage to study full-time or only part-time.
To become an LPN or LVN, you could spend a year in Nursing School.
If you pursue an ADN or a BSN, you will study from 18 months to four years, when studying full time.
How Much Does Nursing School Cost?
The cost of Nursing School also is subject to the type of degree you choose, the city, and the institution where you aspire to study.
To become an LPN or LVN, you could spend from $4,000 to $20,000 on average.
To obtain an ADN degree, it could be between $2,500 to $40,000 per year, and for a BSN, the cost would be from $40,000 to $100,000.
