What subjects should I choose in high school to become a nurse?

Hello! It's wonderful to hear you want to become a nurse! That's a truly caring and responsible career choice – really admirable!

As someone who's "been there," I'll help you sort out the subject selection for high school, aiming to give you more clarity. Let's talk in plain language, without all the complicated jargon.

---

Core Principle: Follow University Requirements

The most crucial point to understand first is this: the ultimate goal of choosing high school subjects is to qualify for admission to your desired Nursing program in university. So, the safest approach is to look at the specific high school subjects required by the universities you're interested in for their Nursing programs.

Don't worry though, most medical schools have very similar requirements for Nursing. Let me break it down for you.

The "Winning" Combination: Unlocking Almost All Medical Schools

If you want to maximize your options and be able to apply to almost all medical universities for Nursing, or even programs like Clinical Medicine, then this combination is your top choice:

Physics + Chemistry + Biology

This combination, under the new college entrance exam models (whether "3+1+2" or "3+3" regions), is the "universal key" for applying to medical majors.

• Why these three?
  • Biology - Absolutely essential!
    • This is the absolute foundation. As a nurse, you'll deal with the human body every day. Body structure (anatomy), how organs work (physiology), why people get sick (pathology), how drugs work (pharmacology)... the source of all this knowledge is high school biology. Mastering biology will make university much easier; otherwise, it might feel like listening to gibberish.
  • Chemistry - Also critically important!
    • The key to understanding drugs and bodily reactions. Nurses administer medications and injections. You need to understand what chemical compounds these drugs are, what reactions occur in the body, and why some drugs shouldn't be taken together. Preparing medications, IV drips – all rely on chemistry. Calculating infusion concentrations or understanding ion levels on lab reports are directly related to chemistry.
  • Physics - The hidden "secret weapon"
    • Many wonder why nurses need physics. It's actually very useful! The working principles of high-tech hospital equipment like X-ray machines, CT scanners, MRI machines, and ultrasounds are all rooted in physics. Even basic nursing tasks, like measuring blood pressure (fluid mechanics) or using medical instruments (lever principles, etc.), have physics behind them. Many top medical schools mandate Physics for admission. Choosing it significantly broadens your university options.

To summarize: If your Physics, Chemistry, and Biology grades are decent, or you're willing to work hard, choosing the "Physics + Chemistry + Biology" combination is essentially giving your future "double insurance." It opens the doors to the Nursing programs at virtually any university in the country.

The Next Best Option: What if Physics is really too difficult?

Let's be realistic. Some students might genuinely struggle with Physics or find it very difficult. That's okay too; we have a backup plan:

History + Chemistry + Biology

• Can this combination get you into Nursing?
  • Very likely, yes. Compared to the stricter requirements for Clinical Medicine, many universities do not mandate Physics for their Nursing programs. Their typical requirement is "at least one subject from Chemistry or Biology." So, as long as you take both Chemistry and Biology, you can still apply to Nursing programs at most institutions.
• What to watch out for?
  • Your options will be narrower. Some top-tier comprehensive universities or medical schools (like Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Peking Union Medical College, etc.) might require Physics for Nursing. Choosing this combination means you might miss out on these schools.
  • Always check in advance! Before finalizing your decision, make sure to visit the official websites of your target universities. Find their latest undergraduate admissions regulations and carefully check the specific subject requirements for the Nursing program. This is the most accurate source of information!

Beyond Core Subjects: These are Important Too

Being a nurse isn't just about scientific knowledge; many "soft skills" are equally crucial.

1. Chinese and English: Communication is a core nursing skill. You need to interact clearly with patients, families, and doctors. Strong Chinese ensures your expression and comprehension. English proficiency allows you to read the latest international nursing literature and research, which is vital for future career development.
2. Mental Fortitude and Communication Skills: Try to participate in club activities and volunteer services (e.g., at nursing homes, community centers) to practice interacting with people, building empathy and patience.
3. Physical Fitness: Don't laugh, this is really important! Nursing is physically demanding – frequent night shifts, long periods of standing, even moving patients. A strong body is fundamental!

Final Advice Summary

1. Top Choice: Physics + Chemistry + Biology. This is the broadest pathway to Nursing and the wider medical field.
2. Backup Plan: History + Chemistry + Biology. If Physics is truly too difficult, this combination still allows application to most Nursing programs, but always check specific university requirements beforehand.
3. Core Subjects: No matter your combination, hold onto Biology and Chemistry tightly – master them!
4. Keep Perspective: Subject selection is just the first step. Studying hard in high school and maintaining your passion and original motivation for this profession are what matter most.

Hope this helps! The path to becoming an "angel in white" is long, but every step counts. Go for it!