What to Expect

If you're interested in health care and helping others, enjoy a hands-on approach to learning and are self-disciplined enough to study hard, check out a practical nursing program.

Joe Oakley says he chose the program because of previous work experience in the health-care field. "I enjoyed it and decided this career was what I wanted," he says.

Oakley especially liked doing the hands-on training. For the clinical section, he trained at a hospital.

Shannon Casey agrees that the hands-on training is appealing. She enjoyed the practical experience at local hospitals.

Casey and Oakley were both surprised by the amount of studying and homework in the course. Casey estimates that she studied at least two hours a day. Oakley was surprised with the amount of material covered, but he says hard work does pay off.

How to Prepare

Casey says high school science courses are a good idea. "Taking biology would give a good head start; maybe even chemistry," she says.

Oakley says a computer course or two would also be beneficial.