The decision to continue your education at an advanced level is one that requires a lot of thought. You must be able to manage your personal and professional lives while also making time to excel academically. Once you are sure you are committed to entering an academic program that will change your life, then you need to make sure you are taking steps to ensure your success. Nursing is a profession that touches the lives of patients and their families, and it can have a transformative effect on your life as well. Here are three steps to help you prepare to apply to nursing school.

Take a medical terminology class.

In order to excel at nursing school, you want to make sure that you understand medical terms. Some nursing programs require medical terminology as a prerequisite; even if your program of interest does not, it is still a good idea to familiarize yourself with terms that may be new to you. Taking a medical terminology class not only prepares you for a new course of study, but also demonstrates to the admissions committee that you are dedicated to succeeding in nursing school as well. There are medical terminology classes available at local community colleges, and some are even offered online.

Brush up on your writing skills.

Some time may have passed since the last time you were in school. It is important to make sure that your writing skills are up to the challenge of enrolling in a nursing program. From your admissions essay to your resume, you want to make sure that your writing comes across as clear and well structured. Most communities have writing workshops offered through the library, community college, or municipal services. If you are unable to use any of those resources, there are several courses that you can find online. 

Start utilizing time management tools.

Adding a new course to your schedule can make it more difficult to handle your work and life balance. This may be a concern for the admissions committee when they are deciding to admit you to the nursing program of your choice. Start practicing time management early on, so you can confidently tell the admissions committee that you are on-track to succeed. Start using your planner, and a calendar app. Make yourself accountable for maximizing all of your time. This will also help you once you are in nursing school, as you will be able to minimize stress.