I want to be a nurse (LPN or RN) anyways I am planning to start college after this summer coming.. but I would like to know if I should.. or have to go to any classes before college or during college like for extra practice or something.. I was thinking maybe I should go for a medical assistant class since that doesn't take long to go through first so maybe I can get some additional help or whatever.. What should I do? What do I really have to do (in all) to be a nurse??
214001
Do go to college first. You will gain so much from it even be a better nurse or anything else you may end up doing. You won't be sorry if you do vs you might be sorry if you rush it. you will feel the difference between you and those nurses who went to college first.
7065
well, when I was thinking about being a nurse I decided to go to my local hospital and volunteer. This way you are exposed to different situations, see what goes on day to day in a hospital, you can ask questions of the staff. Most of all if you do check in at the ER you can see if you get panic over extreme blood or wounds. The added plus is you are also helping your community this way\n\nI decided not to become a nurse because I found out I passed out at the sight of blood :)
192606
i was having the same problem. i was stock between nursing or psychology. well i have to take a psychology class in order to start me nursing classes ....so i said i will just take that class,see how i like it then make my decision.
387052
To add to the previous answers; have you ever though about being a psych nurse.  With your background if you do proceed with your RN I think if it were me it would definitely be something that i would consider. As an RN you would already be qualified.  And your gen ed classes should transfer over, you would just have to check the College that you were wanting to enroll at.  Oh FYI a great place to find out everything you wanted to know about nursing careers and education and financial aid ect......... go to Discovernursing.com
244210
Begin at the community college, then transfer to a university.\n\nI know someone who took nursing assistant classes at a vocational school--the results were not impressive.\n\nThe community college should have career tests, to get an idea of how you would do.
550984
If you are going to nursing school, it would make perfect since, to me anyway, to take the 8 week program and become a certified nurses aide.  I know two of the girls that I went to college with did this while waiting to be accepted into the actual program, and they now work at a hospital at Nashville making $35 an hour. Let me give you a piece of advice:  Do what your heart tells you, go for your dreams, they can't come true if you don't chase them! Also if you need some help deciding, say a pray before you go to sleep, guarantee in the morning you will have your answer.  Good Luck!!
459188
Don't worry about it at this point. You can burn a couple of years in college easy just working on pre-reqs. \n\nYou really are better off hitting up community college first, as it will be very cheap for you, and most community colleges have transfer programs worked out with universities these days so you can transfer credits with ease. \n\nThere are plenty of general education classes that you can knock out while deciding...like english, math, chem, speech, government, PE, etc. \n\nI suggest taking as many pre-reqs as you can at a community college before transfering to a major university as it will save ya heaps. Only problem with community colleges is that you have a higher ratio of teachers who will slide undeserving people through. Don't let those softies compromise your education...go above and beyond their requirements and expecations, so that whatever program you chose afterwards, you will be prepared. Remember that this a foundation that you will build upon. \n\nGood career moves for you at this point are health care jobs. They will be in big demand for decades to come, and the advantage come interview time will be towards you with the health care worker shortage. Something such as nursing gives you PLENTY of opportunities...so aiming for classes geared towards that may be a good idea, like Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, etc. Then regardless of what career you choose in health care, you're likely to have hit some of their pre-reqs as well (most in the medical area require those three, as well as nutrition and organic chemistry)
60605
You can contact a nearby state college or if you do not want bothered by them begging you to sign with them-contact a nearby hospital ask the nursing staff-I found what school I needed and what field I would like to do for know and How to get there by a local Hospital (nursing staff and nursing home)The college seem to just want me to sign with little answers.Also online nursing classes in the search engine and just start reading away.
520849
Any accredited school where the nursing graduate acquires an Associates of Science degree in Nursing.  A degree that upon completion, entitles you to test for your RN license in the state in which you live.  Some licenses will work in multiple states and some states would require you to retest if you ever moved, so you should check on the RN license requirements for your state if you are considering going out of state to attend school, and move back home upon completion or vice versa.  If the school you find that best suits your personal needs and will allow you to become a registered nurse is located in the state you plan on residing in once you graduate, then you should be fine.  Keep in mind that this only licenses you as an RN.  I guess circumstance would allow you to work in Pediatrics or not.  If you want to become a Pediatric nurse, meaning a person that not only has an RN license, but further education to allow them to specialize in children's health, you would more than likely be looking at a bachelor's degree in nursing.  It should be relatively easy finding a school that offers an RN program, but depending on where you live, finding a school that would allow you to get a bachelors degree in nursing with a focus in Pediatrics may be a little more difficult.  Again, that all depends on where you live and how easy it would be for you to make that decision to attend.
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!
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.
245242
If you want to become a nurse, then it will be for life.  You need to go thru the appropriate courses to become the best you can be.  Check your local hospitals for nursing schools.
639347
Unfortunately your medical assisting training will NOT let you transfer credits because what you have is vocational training, not college classes. UNLESS you have a 2 year medical assisting degree. Initially I assumed you have a medical assistant diploma from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited vocational training institution (since you sat for the certification exam).\n\nHowever, although you have not earned college credits toward your LPN/LVN program, you have INVALUABLE experience that will help you in ways you probably never imagined!!! \n\nSo heads up. But, one more tip before I sign off: If you are thinking about becoming an LVN, I suggest you also look into an RN program. This is probably going to work out better for you in the long run!!!!
374748
I think you are out of luck on the nursing front.  I'm not an expert on nursing, but even getting through school requires a lot of needles and no matter what part of a hospital you work in, nurses and needles go together like markers and whiteboards.  \n\nWhat you might want to look into is becoming a doula.  Kind of like a midwife plus if I understand it correctly.  You work with pregnant women preparing them for birth, you stay with them during delivery, and sometimes even beyond.  There is, of course, an association of them and training, certification, etc.  Link below.
141352
In the first couple of years of school, when you're taking basic, non-nursing courses, yes.  However, as you move into advanced studies, clinicals and practicums, its going to be VERY hard for you to work full time.  If you need to work, you might consider a hospital-based nursing program where you can work (in a lower job) while pursuing your studies; or at least contract to work after completing your studies so that your educational costs are paid for.\n\nBest of luck!
242337
I will pass on some advice I was given just a few years ago when I went to nursing school and had children in aprox. the same grades:  Chef Boyardee and Franco American are fantastic cooks!!!  Believe me, my kids hate the stuff now but we existed on it for the 2 years I was in the program. You will NEED to set up some time for yourself to study. What I did was set a bedtime 7:30 and all the time up until that was for me and the kids. After they went to bed I cracked my books, sometimes I could crack them while they were up but I never retained what I read. Don't be afraid to ask for help is also very important. Kentucky had some childcare grants---FREE that allowed me to afford childcare for those times when school was cancelled or had a half day. You can get some tips by getting in contact with the nursing dept. at the school you plan on attending and find out if such a program exists in your state. You are also better off getting the basic req.s out of the way first. You won't have time if they throw in some community service or clinicals after class. The hours are never what they tell you they are going to be. I also used multi colored pens to rewrite my notes at the end of the day so that important info stuck out.
206260
My one major piece of advice is to manage your time and plan ahead. Plan your week out in advance and set aside time to study and stick to that schedule. It's best to find a job that is related to nursing. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement if you agree to work for them once you graduate. That can help with your expenses. As for living arrangements, I would find a roommate that is also in your LVN program. Otherwise you might find it difficult to get quiet time to study if your roommate doesn't understand the pressures of nursing school. Don't be afraid to get low interest school loans to help with bills while you're in school. There are also lots of financial aid programs that not only help with tuition, but living expenses as well. Use the financial aid office at your school for more resources. You can also check with your school about jobs on campus. And don't forget to apply for every scholarship that you qualify for!