<p>I really want to become a Nurse. My dream school is Penn. I know that their program is selective, amazing, and a reach, but what are some tips on getting in there? Also, some other programs I've looked at are Boston College and Northeastern. Which of these and any other schools have really great BSN programs?</p>
<p>This is one field where the answers are just a cup of coffee away. Here’s what you do: call some hospitals in your area (Boston has plenty to choose from) and ask to speak to the charge nurse in whatever areas of nursing interest you. Explain you are a HS student looking to get advice on how to enter the field and ask if you could meet for a cup of coffee at their convenience. With plenty of departments in any one hospital and many hospitals to choose from, you will quickly get several opinions on how to go from people you can be sure really know what they’re talking about.</p>
<p>This is called ‘informational interviewing’ and is covered in more detail in the job-search classic “What Color is Your Parachute?” You might want to skim thru a copy from your local library; any recent edition will do.</p>
<p>thankyou! I actually have that book. But I am really looking for advice on which schools have the best undergrad programs and how to get in.</p>
<p>Thats kinda my point; you can find people here willing to debate the most arcane pros and cons of colleges, but for my money the “best” undergrad programs in any career-oriented major like nursing (or accounting, engineering, etc) are based on the perception of those in the industry that actually recruit and hire. </p>
<p>If you hear from a few charge nurses that an RN is an RN, or that any program in the region is good except for X & Y (and I have no idea if they’ll say that, its just to make a point) then you have some valuable information. Or perhaps you’ll find a consensus on what the top 5 or top 10 programs are.</p>
<p>Finding where to go isn’t the total answer, since you’ve also said you’re looking for info on how to be a strong applicant. But surely knowing where you should try to go is a good start?</p>
<p>BTW one thing I do expect you’ll hear is that you should get some experience in the field as soon as possible, as in now. You won’t be a nurse, you may not find a job with any patient care responsibilities, but just working in a hospital somehow connected to the patient wards will let you know in a few weeks or months if the career is a fit for you. You don’t want to end up like a science teacher I had back in HS, who finished a Masters in Nursing only to find out she didn’t like being around sick people!</p>
<p>All of the ones you mentioned have great programs and are highly competive. Being a nurse I dont know anyone on my floor who would randomly meet someone although you could call nurse recruitment and see if you can be refered to someone who you could talk to. It would also be useful to ask these peple if you could “shadow” a nurse on the floor to see the nuts and bolts of their practice and pick their brain. you can pm me with any specific questions if you want. visiting the schools is helpful too.!</p>