I'm graduating from high school in June and planning on going to a 4 year college in the fall for nursing.  However I have to take general classes before applying to the nursing school and getting into the school is very competitive.  Science and math have always been my weak areas, but I want a career in nursing badly enough that I'm willing to take all the science classes that are required.  I already feel like getting into nursing school is kind of a lost but I don't want to give up before I've even started.  I'm looking for any advice or encouragement from people who have been there??
130195
Don't give up, college is there to educate you and they will do whatever they can to help you succeed.  There will be tutoring, and they even offer it free.  All nursing schools are competitive, but even if you can't get in right away, you can take classes that will go towards your degree while you are waiting to get in.  Another idea is to go the LPN route which is a bit easier, and after you have your LPN, you can always go back for your RN.  Best of luck to you and whatever you do, do NOT give up!!!
61309
Not so sure about that. The nurses I know are fairly burned out after a few years. If you intend to go into health care administration I think you would eventually like to get an MBA. R.N. is a certification rather than a degree. In some states people with Associates degrees are able to apply to become a registered nurse. I believe you take the NCLEX. Anyhow, RN's are in demand for a reason, there's a high turn over...and it's hard work. Nobody wants to deal with a "code Brown" at 3am. If you TRULY want to be a nurse, go ahead and go for the RN. But know what you are getting into. Some people love the field. If you want to be on the business side, apply to B-school, and get an MBA. Only a fool goes into medicine, doctor or nurse for the money.
471215
Go into nursing school first - they will rotate you through all of the areas a nurse works. Keep an open mind because something may come up you like better. If you like the idea of nursing, great, but just take it day by day. It's a job with a lot of responsibility and very little authority - you have to love it to do it.\nTalk to colleges that offer nursing programs and other RN's - they will give you the best insight.\nBoth of the areas you talk about are specialities that will require extra education, so be aware of that as well.\nGood luck and Welcome!
442220
OMG! I want to be a nurse too and in peds too! I know in Cali there are community colleges that offer classes for becoming an RN and it takes about 4 years. You first have to do your pre-requisits and then sign up after those are done, into the nursing program. Then from there you take such classes as anatomy, biology, sociology, etc. But I have to warn you, if you don't think you can do it now then you might not be able to later. There is a 40% drop out rate, so you have to be very determined. I personally love blood and guts but for the life of me vomit kills me to deal with LOL :) If you decide to do it make sure that you volunteer at a local hospital in the department you want to work in. Then you will make friends and be more likely to get in that department after you are done with schooling and are ready to work. I hope this helps!Oh and the pay is great too, up to $5000 a month! Cant beat that!
526376
One of my college roommates graduated from high school a year early and then college in 3 yrs. Later she said that graduating from high school early was a good idea but that she should have stayed in college for 4 yrs. \n\nI don't think that, unless there are courses that would help get scholarships or get out of college courses, that a student needs to do that last year of high school if they don't have to.\n\nHowever, college and grad school are different. Doing college that quickly leaves no time to experience it and may be too heavy a load to allow her to do well. Sounds like she's assuming that college (and grad school) are no harder than high school, and that's not true. Also, teaching is more than understanding the material you're teaching and how to present it. She needs to make friends, gain maturity, and generally have more contact with life in order to be a good teacher. If she never learns how to relate to people, she will not be a good teacher. \n\nOn the grad school front... I don't know how M. Ed. programs are set up, but I just finished by MA in History. It would not have been possible for me to complete my MA in one year. Even if I had taken the maximum number of courses allowed, I could only have knocked off a semester. Outside of that, grad school is also an opportunity to gain life experience that, among other things, makes people more employable. I joined all of my department's student organizations and was a officer of two of them. Though my track didn't require a thesis, I wrote one. In practical terms, everybody in my program worked at least 20 hrs a week and many worked more. It wouldn't have been possible for me to take a heavier courseload and work. My job and my thesis helped me get a job after graduation that I wouldn't have been qualified for with just my degree. Having been a leader in my program makes me a more valuable employee, in several different ways.
460030
Were you denied admission to the school or admission to the program of your choice? I know a lot of people at my school would get turned down for a vet tech or nursing degree because the spots fill quickly and there are a lot of qualified applicants. I would call the school and ask them whether you can get into another program or be a non-matriculating (taking courses without being fully enrolled in the school) student. If they allow you to do either of those then you can most likely transfer to the program of your choice. If they still say no, take of 2 or three years and work or go into the military and if you have a HS diploma or GED you should be fine getting in then.\n\nGood Luck!
215697
Yes!  You will always be able to find a job. \n\nBut, please realize that you do hold other peoples lives in your hands as a nurse.  It is a big responsibility and very stressful at times. The failures are devastating, but the victories are wonderful!! Be prepared for a very emotional ride!  \n\nI was a LPN for 12 years, and have finally made my way back to school and became a RN!  I love being a nurse... the world needs more good nurses, so if it is something you think you would like, then go for it!!!!\n\n:)
677034
There are Federal loans, such as the Stafford, that tend to be lenient.  Sit down with one of your school's financial advisors/counselors and discuss this.  Federal loans don't cover the entire tuition if your school is a proprietary school (tuition starts at 24,000 and higher), but they  may accept payments.   If you've got the GPA, look into nurse-specific grants and scholarships.  I'm a nurse and this is what I did.  The only other thing I can think of is to find out from your bank if they offer student loans for folks with "iffy" credit.  Having nursing as a goal may make you a better risk.  Of course, now you're obligated to pass boards!  Yikes!
401841
Yes, you can get a nursing degree by going to a community college. This would be an option if you feel like you will never go to graduate school in nursing and also when you become a nurse you don't mind other R.Ns getting ahead who have bachelor's degrees.\n\nYou can also get a nursing degree through a 4 year university like I have. But please note that just because you went to 4-year university that you'll automatically be an RN and thats it. Its not that simple. No mater where you go, please make sure that school is nationally accredited by the national league nursing. Also, this is very usefull, but I didn't find out until after I graduated, go to the website of the board of nursing of the state your in,and see what the statistics are of any school whether 2 or 4 year on their nursing license passing rates(NCLEX exam). This will tell you whether a school is a good school vs. a great school.\n\nVolunteering services to my knowledge are not necessary, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if you did do some voluteering.\n\nThe prequisites depend on the school, but most nursing schools \nwant you to take and also do well in:\n\n1. Anatomy and Physiology\n2. Microbiology and micro lab.\n3. Some type of college level math.\n4. Statistics\n5. Psychology, preferably developmental Psych because you will\n    have to deal with people across the life span.\n6. Economics, just so that you'll be a more well rounded person\n7.Sociology of course, because you have to know and learn how\n   to communicate with others not like yourself\n8. Human Nutrition\n9.Chemistry for health professions\n10. Ethics (medical ethics if you can).\n11. Some type of class pertaining to the human organ systems,\n      don't know the name, but would be nice if you took that.\n12. Other general education requirements that the school you\n      attend should tell you about once your admitted.\n\nI can't think of anymore classes, it would take I guess at least 2 years to complete the prerequisites.\n\nI hope this helped!!
619206
It takes four years to get a bachelor of science in nursing.   The first two years are the basic English , algebra, chemistry, psychology etc.  The 2cnd two years are the nursing core  units... medical-surgical, psych, theory lectures, anatomy and physiology, practicals and hospital clinicals.  You should be strong in science and math.  You will have to write well to communicate and are expected to make a few formal papers with bibliography's etc.  I imagine it varies from uni to uni a little .  When you graduate you take your board exam that takes about 2 days and if you pass then you get your license ...You can contact universities that you are interested in and ask for course curriculum's. you can contact universities over the internet and most will send a full prospectus and application.  You could even tour them at your leisure. While you are still in high school....You can do volunteer work in a medical setting or an internship where available or work after school in a nursing home or hospital to be certain this is what you want to do. Keep in mind that some hospitals (the ones I have worked at) don't recognise anything less than a BSN..and that those who have less than a BSN may get lower pay. *I am not saying you are not as good as an RN...just the facts* Good luck
647134
I applaud you in wanting to becoming a nurse and doing it on your own. Here is a little story for you and may it help you. I was 20 when I got out of high school and my parents could not afford to send me off to college and so like you I had to decide what to do. I joined the Marines and spent time during Viet Nam, when I got out I had saved enough to get training into the field that I wanted to be in. I found a cheap computer and never being on one before but having the fields that I had learned while I was in the service. I learned very quickly and became good at what I wanted to be and to make a very long story short I ended up helping the family and and friends that supported my efforts to make my dreams to come true. Before my mother passed on to God and the Spirits above she told myself that I had become a jack of all trades and a master of some. What made me proud was that she said any thing is possible if you put your will, soul and mind to it. Good Luck at what ever you decide and may you always succeed at. God Bless
578976
wait until July 1st. tons of applicants apply to nursing schools so you have to be patient and let them figure out who's in and who's not. you don't hear anything from them by the 1st, start looking elsewhere.
41635
Haha... wow... I know the feeling.\n\nFirst let me say that you haven't wasted your time by going to school for four years. Think of it this way: You now have all of that knowledge that nobody can ever take away from you. Even if you don't use it for a career, the knowledge you've gained will help shape and mold you into a really awesome and well-rounded person. \n\nNow, here's the real message: Don't be afraid to put school on hold for a little while. People overrate college sooo much it's not even funny. I'm almost 21 years old and I've only had one semester of college... but I'm not stupid, and I haven't missed anything - my life has just been different from my friends who went to college immediately after high school. I can definitely say that I'm much more mature than them, and I have a much better idea of what I want to study. Now, going to school is for me - not because someone tells me have to get a degree. I go because I know what I want out of life, and what I want to learn in the process. \n\nSo, in short, it's ok (and might even be healthy) if you take a step back and just get some life experience in without college. You have your entire life ahead of you! What's the rush? Take the time to learn more about yourself (in or outside of school) and you'll eventually stumble on what's right for you. :)
96046
Where I live, it is difficult for some students to go directly into a regular nursing program at the local community college because approximately 250+ students apply for 30 open spots in the Fall and 30 open spots in the Spring. There is still a tremendous need for nurses, however, and since quite a few students drop out in the first year the school has worked out a program that will allow nursing assistants and LPN's to come in later on in the program to fill up any now vacant spaces. Many students that don't make it into the direct program now go to the technical school to become a nursing assistant or LPN and begin working until they can get into the transfer program. The community college is finding that those students often do better and are more dedicated than the ones that came in directly because they have more direct experience and know that it is what they want to do.\n\nIf it is something you want to do and it is a good jumping off point in your area then do it. Don't expect a lot of praise or money as a nursing assistant, though.
561704
That really stinks...how about trying LPN? Or...taking a small course for CNA...I mean...sure it stinks that you can't be an RN...but at least you'll be able to see how it is...and have some interaction with patients...and I'm sure that you can tell whatever hospital you're working for that you're about to graduate. I'm sure it could work. I'm really sorry that this happened to you...I am personally getting into nursing school hopefully in the Spring. \n\nOh, hon....don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes other peoples mistakes affect us...and we can't do much about it. I know your family...as well as yourself...have made plenty of sacrifices...but you'll get through it. Seriously...go to a hospital...maybe you can get a deal with them...working for them for a while in exchange for them paying whatever's left that you have to do. I mean...you're practically almost there...I'm sure you can do something. Hope you're able to resolve your problems...just...be patient.\n\nI dont' think you'll lose your skills so quickly...if you're working already with other nurses...maybe they can help you out...do some of the stuff. Besides...even if you DO lose some of it...you can get back on your feet with practice...so...dont' worry too much about the application...I'm really sure that others working with you can help you out when you start. It's not the kinda job you should do alone anyways...
195542
I started college in 1973 and didn't graduate till 1998. I went part time and changed majors a couple of times. I worked and raised a family and did all those life necessary things to get along in the world. I became a Registered Nurse in '98 and couldn't be prouder
346025
I'm right up there on the soap box with you with attitudes in nursing school. At mine the ones accepted into the program are al easily 3.5 to 4.0 students that get into the program, yet so many fail. What's the point in making it so stressful that so many fail. This isn't a case of not being smart enough or working hard enough or wanting to badly enough. It's an underlying attitude and competitivness. Anyway, to help you out, yes other schools will accept you. I don't know which ones, only that my friend failed out of another and they wouldn't let her come back for a loooong time so she's entered ours.\nAnd no, there is no preparation given for the totally different style of thinking and testing that nursing involves. I'm not sure I'll ever understand how all 4 answers being right, yet three are counted wrong makes sense.