Introduction

“I want to be a nurse when I grow up!” This phrase is uttered by countless children every day and for good reason. Nursing is a noble profession that is not only personally fulfilling but is also one of the fastest-growing health-care specializations in the country.

According to 2018 projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment opportunities for registered nurses is expected to increase 15 percent by 2026, particularly in long-term care facilities, outpatient care centers, and home-based care. This growth is estimated to be much faster than average, when compared with other professions. And with a current median salary of $70,000 a year, or $33.65 per hour, now is a great time to consider nursing school.

But deciding to become a nurse is only the first step you need to take in the journey to reach your goal. Another step may be passing a standardized entrance examination. There are currently a handful of exams that most two-year and four-year schools require as part of a nursing program admission. These can vary from semester to semester, as well as from school to school.

We offer this book as a general guide to help you decide which program is right for you and prepare you for the various exams that are used to determine eligibility for nursing school programs. Within the pages that follow, you’ll find reviews in the disciplines that are most frequently tested, tons of practice questions to help strengthen your knowledge, and test-taking tips that will help you get through any kind of standardized exam.

You may not agree with all of our advice, and some of what we have to say may not work for you as an individual. That’s okay. No piece of advice is right for every person. We encourage you to make your test-prep experience your own and pursue whatever works best for you.

When you’re using this book, keep in mind that we are giving advice based on our extensive research and personal experience with this subject. The information we provide is the most current that we can offer as of the date that this book was written, and we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.

When in doubt, though, communicate with the program or programs you’re applying to in order to get the best advice and information relevant to your goals. They are your first and best source for guidance.