There are three RN programs for high school students to explore.
Three academic programs allow a graduate to register for the National Council for Licensure Examination--Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), which is the final step to becoming a registered nurse. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) requires the student to enroll for four years of study. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a diploma program require enrollment of two years. Academic diversity in training is what differentiates a BSN program and an ADN/diploma program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A student enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will need to complete many of the same courses as most baccalaureate students seeking any other discipline. Most universities develop a core academic plan that all baccalaureate students must follow in addition to the requirements of their specific discipline. For that reason, nursing students must complete courses in the liberal arts and sciences. A well-rounded high school education that comprises study in English, mathematics, social sciences, sciences and the arts is a good preparation for the college-level, general education course work.
All BSN students at an accredited school must complete the nursing prerequisites: chemistry, microbiology, biology, statistics, anatomy and physiology, developmental psychology and nutrition--prior to commencing upon their third year of study. Some universities will allow a high score on an Advanced Placement examination to substitute for credits for some of the previously mentioned courses. It is important to contact the university to learn their policy on credit granted for Advanced Placement examinations.
As the requirement for admission to most universities in the U.S. requires the submission of SAT or ACT scores, it is important to score well on these examinations in order to garner admission to a BSN program.
Associate Degree in Nursing
A student in an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program must fulfill some general education courses, generally English composition and mathematics, in addition to nursing prerequisites and nursing coursework. The ADN prerequisites are completed during the first year of study and include: anatomy and physiology, microbiology and developmental psychology. A well-rounded high school education in the sciences and liberal arts is most beneficial to the ADN student. Completion of the program can occur with two years of full-time study, though some schools may structure the program over a three-year duration.
ADN programs are administered by community colleges, where SAT or ACT scores may not be required. Community colleges generally administer their own placement examinations, so it is important that the high school student possess a well-rounded education, as low placement scores will require completion of remedial coursework prior to matriculation in an ADN program. Community colleges are accommodating to individuals of various academic backgrounds, though a solid command of pre-college algebra skills and high school-level English should ensure a good score on the placement examination.
Diploma Program
Diploma programs in nursing are structured in the same way as ADN programs. The only difference is that a diploma program is administered by a teaching hospital. This type of program is not as popular as an ADN program simply because there are fewer teaching hospitals offering this program than there are community colleges. As they have the same curriculum, high school preparation for a diploma program is the same as it is for an ADN program. The high school student should ensure a high command of English and pre-college algebra. Courses in anatomy and physiology, biology and psychology can be helpful as preparation for the college-level coursework in those subjects.
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