If you are a high school student who is thinking about going into the nursing program after you graduate, here are some of the things to think about doing and what comes with the nursing program. 

Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) has been around since it was founded in 1869. At SCSU there are 200 undergraduate, 60 graduate, and 3 doctoral programs to choose from for your future.

Out of all the majors, I chose the nursing program, and I think you should too. The nursing program at SCSU is fast-paced and educates students for a 21st century profession. Students will learn about critical thinking, communication, ethics, health advocacy, and caring alternative healing methods. 

There are class requirements that have to be taken during generals to get into the nursing program. These classes are English(4 credits), Intro to Communication Studies(3 credits), Mathematical or Statistical Thinking(3 credits), Developmental Psychology/Human Growth and Development(3 credits), Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II(4 credits each), Introductory Microbiology(4 credits), and General, Organic and Biochemistry(5 credits). There is a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 for pre-admission coursework. This seems like a lot of classes; however, if you get started in high school, that helps.  Two classes I found that have been helpful to take in high school are College Chemistry and College Algebra.

Another test that comes with applying for the nursing program at SCSU is the HESI. This is a computerized, five-hour entrance exam covering Anatomy and Physiology, Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Math. This test is $45 for all of the students that still are planning to go into the nursing program after generals.

The test that comes after all of the college work is the NCLEX. This is the biggest test that will determine if the students will become a nurse or not. The NCLEX, also known as nursing boards, is the test that all of the students work hard to get to the whole time they are in college. The exams throughout college are about knowledge while the NCLEX tests application and analysis using the nursing knowledge learned in school. The SCSU nursing students were ecstatic to say they had a 100% passing rate on the NCLEX. (picture of insta). This means that every single student who took the NCLEX passed and is becoming a nurse. 

There are so many majors to choose from at SCSU, I chose the nursing program.