Nursing for a Purpose, Not a Degree

Have you ever wondered how much dedication it takes to be in nursing school? Here is an overview of Auburn’s School of Nursing and what it takes to succeed.

First a little background about the school. Auburn University's School of Nursing was established in 1979 and is one of the newest programs in Alabama.

Approximately 1100 men and women have graduated from the program since it began.

Pre-nursing course work has a strong concentration in the lab sciences and may be taken during the day or evenings. This course work may be completed in two years of full-time study.

The following two years require more time due to clinicals. A typical week with class and clinicals requires 30-40 hours.

Once students have completed the prerequisites and core classes, they can apply to the school of Nursing. The application process is done in two steps. The two steps include a university application, checking eligibility for the program, and an application.

Applicants are accepted based on their performance in all previous classes and an interview. The minimum GPA requirement is a 2.5, but preference will be given to those with higher GPA’s. The average GPA of admitted students is a 3.6.

“The Auburn School of Nursing program is extremely helpful in preparing me and the other students to become RNs,” Leslie Graham said.

Graham is a junior in her second semester of Auburn Nursing School.

“Right now I am doing pediatric clinicals at Baptist South in Montgomery,” Graham said. “We do different rotations at different places dealing with different kinds of nursing, so the experience is amazing.”

Nursing students begin their first round of clinicals once they are in their second semester of nursing school. They rotate through different hospitals in the area.

“I have a calling to be with people that are sick and vulnerable and people that need to see joy from other people,” Graham explains.  “I want to be able to pour myself out to my patients, brighten their day and serve them.”

Some students come to college undecided about their calling in life, but Graham knew from the start she was called to be a nurse.

Graham holds a well-deserved spot in Auburn’s competitive nursing program based on her heart to serve and academic success; she is the recipient of three different nursing scholarships.

For more information visit Auburn University's School of Nursing website.