All the Must-Haves to get you Ready for Grad School Grad school can be a very worthwhile decision, as it can certainly pay off in the long run. However, it does take some thought and planning well in advance in order to meet the goals that you desire to reach. It can be a huge undertaking to commit to a grad school program, so be sure to orchestrate some planning and organizing before attending school. Where to Start When you finally decide that graduate school is going to be in your future, it can be very exciting and overwhelming. The first step to take is to decide what options are available to you in order to attend a grad school program. If you live in a fairly well populated city there should be options in your general vicinity. Assuming they have the course that you are interested in, the next step is to see if they are accepting new enrollees, or if there is a waiting list. Keeping in mind that some schools estimate about 1 out of every 10 people that apply actually get accepted, it is important that you keep an open mind and always have a backup plan in case your future plans do not work out. Schedule an appointment with a school counselor to ask for advice on how to move forward. Related: Top Job Opportunities for Nurses who Love Working with Children Sacrifices Accept the fact that for you to attend graduate school there will be some sacrifices that need to be made. Many of the deciding factors will depend on whether you have a family at home, a spouse, or even children. However, don't get discouraged because it can be done. There will need to be some significant changes in order for all of your plans to happen. Graduate school is going to require a lot of your time and attention, so be sure to enlist the help of family and friends to keep up with the demand of your busy schedule. Finances Organizing your finances well in advance will help your transition to grad school a lot easier. Saving ahead of time so you can work no more than a part time job would be the optimal solution so you don't overwork yourself. You may also find that your employer will pay at least a portion of your schooling, so check with the human resource department to see what is available. Grants and scholarships may also be a viable option, so check to see what is available, as the school counselor should be able to assist in that area. Providing that your grad school course will be in the medical field, you may find it possible to take out a student loan, and later have it forgiven. The catch to that is to spend, usually the first year out of school working in an area that is short of medical personnel. Follow through with that, and the loan could be forgiven. Related: Family Nurse Practitioners
What's Next? Returning to grad school can be a wonderful adventure and a great payoff for your career in the long-run. However, in the interim, it will take some effort to make everything come together. Plan for a lot of organizing well in advance. What advice can you offer to future grad students? Related: List of nursing organizations Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter