Registered nursing before graduate school: REGISTERED NURSING PRIOR TO A

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

Registered Nursing Prior to a Graduate Nursing Program

Gabriela I. De La Cruz
University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Registered nursing before graduate school: REGISTERED NURSING PRIOR TO A

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

Abstract
After completing the Career Aspiration assignment and reevaluating my passion, I still
intend to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree by 2018. As a pre-nursing
student, I am aware of the requirements for applying to the upper-division of the nursing
major. Following graduation, I hope to return to the Research Triangle and work as a
registered nurse at Duke University Medical Center. After gaining work experience, I
plan to attend Duke Universitys School of Nursing and enroll in its Pediatric or
Womens Health Nurse Practitioner program. Since submitting the initial assignment a
few weeks ago, I have also looked into the admissions requirements at Duke.
Furthermore, while getting certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED over fall
break by the American Red Cross in Raleigh, I spoke with the instructor, who encouraged
me to pursue my nursing degree and gave me advice on working abroad as a nurse. I still
firmly believe that nursing is an outstanding career choice since nurses are indispensable
and always have the opportunity to make a difference.

Registered nursing before graduate school: REGISTERED NURSING PRIOR TO A

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

As a freshman in college, my current career aspiration is to be either a pediatric or

womens health nurse practitioner. Up until I was a freshman in high school, I wanted to
become a physician, such as a pediatrician or obstetrician/gynecologist, but I developed
an interest in nursing the following year. I decided that studying to be a doctor was not
the right path for me to take at this point in my life, but that nursing was. I was certain
that I wanted to pursue a career in health care, and that I wanted to have a close
relationship with my patients. I am happy to be a pre-nursing major at UNC Charlotte as
I begin my journey to ultimately earn my Master of Science in Nursing.
My change in career choice to study nursing was influenced by my older cousin,
Raephael, whom I am very close to and who is a recent nursing graduate, and an
evaluation of what it takes to be a physician. After I researched about undergraduate
education, medical school, and residency programs, I realized that I was not ready to take
on the mental and financial demands of medical school. In addition, due to my current
family situation of being supported by a single parent and having an older sister who is
also in college, it may not be the right time for me to attend medical school since my
family is avoiding student loans at all costs. Overall, nursing is an appealing career to me
since it takes about four years of study and creates health professionals who will always
be needed.
As a pre-nursing major, I must successfully complete Chemistry 1203 and its
corresponding lab with a B or better this semester in order to be eligible for admission
into UNC Charlottes School of Nursing. Personally, chemistry has been a difficult and
challenging course for me in the past, but I believe that I can earn at least a B in both
courses by working hard throughout the semester. To be successful in chemistry, I must

Registered nursing before graduate school: REGISTERED NURSING PRIOR TO A

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

spend adequate time studying outside of the classroom to ensure that I understand the
material, ask my instructor for help with any questions I may have, and attend
supplemental instruction and tutoring sessions. As a student with a major within the
College of Health and Human Services, I must also take HAHS 1000. In the spring, I
must enroll in and complete Chemistry 1204 and its lab with at least a B as well.
Moreover, I must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and pass my other prerequisite
courses with a C or better (Bachelor of science, n.d.). My grades from this academic
year will play a significant role as I apply to nursing schools next year.
In the fall of my sophomore year of college, I will begin the process of applying
to nursing school. Currently, I have a strong interest in attending UNC Charlotte or UNC
Chapel Hills Schools of Nursing. In order to begin the upper-division courses of nursing
at UNCC, I must obtain my CNA prior to applying (Bachelor of science, n.d.). Once in
nursing school, I will enroll in nursing-specific courses and prepare to sit down for the
NCLEX. I hope to be a nursing graduate within four years of my undergraduate career
and pass the NCLEX by my second attempt. After I become a licensed registered nurse, I
hope to move back to the Research Triangle and work as a nurse at Duke University
Medical Center to gain experience and network with other professionals in my field. It
would be ideal for me to work at Duke for at least two years, fulfilling the recommended
one year of work experience before starting a graduate program (Pediatric NP, n.d.). I
plan to attend Duke Universitys School of Nursing and enroll in its Pediatric or
Womens Health Nurse Practitioner program. In order to be considered for admission
into Dukes MSN programs, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a
4.0 scale for the required courses for the BSN degree. Although one year of prior nursing

Registered nursing before graduate school: REGISTERED NURSING PRIOR TO A

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

experience is strongly recommended for most of the MSN programs, if students are
admitted into the Pediatric program without work experience, they must acquire at least
one year of pediatric work experience before beginning clinical courses. Moreover,
applicants must obtain three recommendations from professionals who can vouch for
their academic and professional ability and character. The admissions committee at Duke
also conducts personal interviews with select applicants (Admission Requirements,
n.d.). If I am fortunate to attend Dukes School of Nursing after working as a nurse at its
hospital, I would be eligible to receive financial aid through the Registered Nurse Tuition
Assistant Program and Duke Employee Tuition Assistance Program (Duke RN, n.d.).
Receiving support to continue my education at a university such as Duke is a goal that I
strive to reach one day.
I believe that my background in volunteering in a healthcare setting will benefit
me in my pursuit of becoming a nurse practitioner. Throughout high school I volunteered
at Rex Hospital in Raleigh after school and during the summer since I was a sophomore
until I graduated. My favorite position was in the Special Care Nursery because I was
able to see newborn babies up close and observe nurses taking care of them.
Furthermore, my personal quality of having a genuine desire to help those in need will
help me be the best nurse practitioner I could possibly be. On the other hand, I know that
it will not be easy to become a nurse practitioner, specifically due to academic
challenges. Previously, I have had trouble with science and math courses and do not
easily earn As in those types of classes. However, science and math are essential in
nursing, and I am sure that I will study hard and always give my best effort.

Registered nursing before graduate school: REGISTERED NURSING PRIOR TO A

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

This past weekend I became certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
by the American Red Cross in Raleigh. I completed the online portion and attended the
skills session, which was very hands-on and fun! I am very lucky that our instructor, a
lovely woman named Dallas, was funny, energetic, and engaging. Dallas explained that
she had traveled to many countries due to her previous job as a blood recruiter for the
Red Cross and her husbands job as an army surgeon. While abroad, Dallas also taught
Red Cross classes in rural parts of Africa. I told Dallas that I was a pre-nursing student
and I expressed my interest in traveling in the future. Not only was Dallas very
supportive of my plans to study nursing, but she also advised that I could study abroad
for nursing school or work abroad as a nurse since other countries are experiencing a
shortage of nurses just like the United States. In addition, when I asked her about any
minors that I should consider, Dallas recommended public health or nutrition, which are
also majors that I have previously given though to. Even if the session lasted just a little
over two hours, I am very glad that I was able to meet and talk to Dallas. She was so
friendly, insightful, and inspiring, and Ill always appreciate her advice.
Although college seems like a scary and stressful experience, I am excited to
begin a new chapter in my life and move on to continue my education. Graduating from
nursing school is no easy feat, but it is truly an incredible accomplishment. I hope to
make the most out of my college experience by studying hard and making new friends on
my journey to be a registered nurse. After gaining first-hand knowledge in a hospital, I
plan to further my education and enhance my career as a nurse practitioner. In spite of
the many obstacles that I will encounter on my road to becoming a nurse practitioner, I
know that they will all be worth overcoming in the future.

Registered nursing before graduate school: REGISTERED NURSING PRIOR TO A

GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

References
Admission Requirements. Duke University School of Nursing. Retrieved from
http://nursing.duke.edu/academics/programs/msn/admission-requirements
Bachelor of science in nursing upper division nursing major. UNC Charlotte School of
Nursing. Retrieved from http://nursing.uncc.edu/degree-programs/undergraduatebsn/bs-nursing-bsn-upper-division-nursing-major
Duke RN tuition. Duke University School of Nursing. Retrieved from
http://nursing.duke.edu/financial-aid/duke-rn-tuition
Pediatric NP (primary care) specialty. Duke University School of Nursing. Retrieved
from http://nursing.duke.edu/academics/programs/msn/pediatric-np-primary-carespecialty