---
title: "Tips for New Nurses: What I Wish I Knew Before Going into Nursing School"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/tips-for-nurses-going-into-nursing-school/"
type: post
date_published: 2023-11-02
date_modified: 2025-08-01
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 1189
reading_time: 6 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/tips-for-nurses-going-into-nursing-school/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-School-Student-PReparing-For-NCLEX-Exam.jpg"
categories:
  - Nursing School
---

# Tips for New Nurses: What I Wish I Knew Before Going into Nursing School

![Nursing School Student Preparing For NCLEX Exam](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-School-Student-PReparing-For-NCLEX-Exam.jpg)

There are several reasons why I chose nursing. I was drawn to nursing because it
is a noble profession that combines science with human compassion and care
delivery. In addition, nursing was a pragmatic career choice as the profession
offers job stability, competitive pay, various specialty options, as well as
opportunities for professional advancement.

Looking back on my journey into nursing, I can think of several things I wish I
had known as I navigated school. This blog post will review my background and
experience as a nurse, what I wish I had known before starting nursing school,
and tips for navigating nursing school.

## My Nursing Experience

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 2016. From there, I
began my career as a nurse in women’s health. I also returned to school that
same year to pursue my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with the goal of
becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP). I completed my master’s studies in
2019. Since then, as a certified nurse practitioner, I have worked in primary
care, sleep medicine, and infusion. Finally, in October 2023, I completed a
post-master’s graduate certificate in nursing education, and I am hoping to
transition into a faculty position as a nurse educator as the next step in my
career.

I have had a rewarding nursing career, and it has been a great privilege to be
part of the nursing profession. I owe my career to my solid educational
foundation, and below I describe tips for selecting a nursing program and for
achieving success during school.

## What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Nursing School

When I began researching nursing programs, I was overwhelmed, to say the least.
There are so many options for prospective students, and selecting a program is a
big decision since nursing school is a huge investment monetarily, personally,
and in terms of time. Having gone through the process of selecting a nursing
program, I can strongly recommend a few criteria that you should consider to get
the most out of your nursing school experience.

1. **Look for an accredited school.** This requirement should be non-negotiable.
   Accreditation is a marker of program quality that is granted through an
   extensive, rigorous program evaluation process by agencies recognized by the
   U.S. Department of Education. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
   (CCNE) is an important organization that engages with schools of nursing and
   awards accreditation only to those programs that meet their rigorous quality
   standards. As a student, if you see that a program is accredited, you know you
   will receive an excellent education.
2. **Pursue your BSN from the start.** Secondly, I would strongly encourage
   students to pursue a BSN as part of their initial nursing education. The BSN is
   becoming the preferred degree for entry-level nurses by many employers. I say
   this because BSN-prepared nurses (as opposed to associate’s-prepared nurses)
   consistently provide higher quality patient care, making them more attractive
   to prospective healthcare employers. In addition, a BSN will also position you
   well to return to school for an advanced degree, such as an MSN.
3. **Visit the nursing program’s campus.** If possible, I’d recommend you visit
   the nursing program’s campus and take every opportunity to speak with current
   faculty, staff, and students. These visits can provide insight into things like
   student support and the overall culture of the program. It is also helpful to
   see the skills laboratory and simulation technology the school has available.
4. **NCLEX-prep.** The NCLEX-RN is the culminating licensing exam that new
   graduates must successfully pass to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Be sure to
   ask the program about the support available for students regarding NCLEX-RN
   preparation and pass rates for its graduates over the past several years.
   Ideally, a program should expose students to NCLEX-style examination questions
   as early in the program as possible.

---

## What I Wish I Knew During School: Tips for Future Nurses

There are also a few tips I can offer prospective nursing students who are going
through nursing school:

1. **Figure out how you learn best.** During school, you will need to learn
   quickly and you will be expected to synthesize large volumes of knowledge from
   your foundational classes into your higher-level nursing courses and clinical
   learning. You will have guidance from your faculty, but you will thank yourself
   later if you can figure out early how you learn best. Whether through readings,
   videos, lectures, or other means, you want to embrace the best learning methods
   for you.
2. **Know you are being prepared for entry-level practice.** The expectation of a
   new graduate nurse is to be a safe healthcare provider, not an expert in all
   things nursing. During school, your focus should be on developing your critical
   thinking skills and the ability to make sound clinical judgments for patient
   safety. I cannot emphasize this point enough as this is what you will also be
   tested on when you finally sit for the NCLEX examination.
3. **Join a study group.** Nursing school will feel much less overwhelming if you
   can find classmates to study with and turn to for support. These classmates
   will see you through the most challenging and rewarding phases of education.
   Only other nursing students can truly relate to the experience of nursing
   school, so finding a friend through the process is invaluable.

---

## Why a BSN From Arizona College of Nursing Makes a Difference

Starting a nursing career is a big decision, and your choice of a BSN program is
critically important. I can confidently recommend it to prospective nursing
students for several reasons:

![Nursing Degree Program Faculty and Students in lab](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-Degree-Program-Faculty-and-Students-in-Lab-2.jpg)![Nursing Degree Program Faculty and Students in lab](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-Degree-Program-Faculty-and-Students-in-Lab-2.jpg)
Firstly, the program is CCNE accredited and features modern simulation and
skills laboratory spaces for its students. Faculty-student support and
engagement are strongly emphasized in this program, and there are a number of
campuses conveniently located throughout the country for students to choose
from. In addition, the program offers high-quality clinical experiences that
facilitate real-world learning and the application of classroom concepts in
patient care settings.

Furthermore, NCLEX-RN exam preparation is emphasized early on and continually
throughout the program. Arizona College of Nursing’s 3-year BSN program features
all the key criteria I would require if I were to choose a nursing program
again.

---

**Author Bio**

_Tana Bao is an experienced advanced practice registered nurse. She earned her BSN from The University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016 and her MSN from Thomas Jefferson University in 2019. She is board certified to practice as a family nurse practitioner with both The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (NP-C) and The American Nurses Credentialing Center (FNP-BC). Clinically, she has worked in various medical settings including women’s health, sleep medicine, infusion, and primary care. She now also writes professionally as a health content writer and has also completed a post master’s graduate certificate in nursing education._

**Categories:** Nursing School