I don't even know how to get started!!!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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:confused::confused::confused:I have wanted nothing but to be a nurse for most of my life. When I watched my brother come into this world, I knew I wanted to work with infants, when my youngest son was born, and I thought I was going to lose him, and the N.I.C.U saved him I knew what I was being called to do. The only probelm is I have no idea how to even get started. I know nothing about College. I have no clue how to get started. I have so many people telling me to do this or to do that, the problem with this is none of them are even in a medical feild. I feel like I am running in a circles and have tired myself doing so. I know I want the N.I.C. and I know that I have to work to it, and I am willing and I want to get started. I am 21 years old and was hoping to already be working at the very least in some medical field, not a cashier... Please I'll take any advise, from ANYONE at this point.

Thank you for your time

Amber :confused::confused::confused:

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First step you need to take is to go to your local community college or university (whichever you prefer) and meet with an advisor. They will help you get enrolled in the college and guide you through whatever steps you need to take. Most likely you will need to do a bunch of pre-reqs before you can even start a nursing program.

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If you want to take baby steps and see how the medical field really works I recommend you start as a CNA. It's at most 2 months training. Work in the field a bit and see if you would like to advance. If so you can take the other advice and see a college advisor. Or if you need more baby steps, go for your LPN, then RN.

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Specializes in Infusion.

I agree! Start with a CNA class to get your feet wet! Good Luck!

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Start out as a CNA. From there, the skies the limits :p

You can go on and get your LPN and then RN

OR

You can go on and get your ADN and then BSN

OR

You can get a degree in Science and go off to med school, PA, PT..so on and so forth

Having experience in the medical field is always a plus when applying for schools :smokin:

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Just a little advice, go to your community college and sign up for the CNA program mine only took 3-4 weeks. This will give you a little taste of what it's like and see how far you really want to go. It helped me anyways! :nurse: Good Luck!

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Most regional branches of the American Red Cross offer CNA/STNA training, thats where I took mine it only took about a month and their scholarship/financial aide programs are really good.

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Specializes in Geriatric, Alzheimer's, Psych, Wounds.

The other suggestions are good. Here's a run down of what to do:

1) Get in contact with an advisor at your local community college or university. And ask around. Google or ask anyone in your area - other nurses you may run into at the hospital - where's a good nursing school?

2) Take a deep breath. Everyone starts college completely scared and unsure of what they're doing. It is within your reach. In my experience, only those that give up - fail.

3) Take one step at a time. Most likely you will start by applying to the college, then take placement tests (no biggie) and start. The first step is the hardest. Just one point of advice - keep going! Go back to class each and every single day.

The nursing field is made up like a ladder. At the bottom, where most nurses start is the CNA (certified nursing aid). Hard work but you learn a lot. Also it allows you to "try out" nursing and see if it's your thing. Second comes the LPN (licensed practical nurse), they are allowed to pass out medications as CNA's mostly do the manual labor. Third comes the RN (registered nurse) and is considered by most medical businesses as the "full nurse." RN's can work with IV's - aka medications that go directly into the blood stream. BSN (bachelor's degree in science in nursing) and MSN (master's ....in nursing) are titles that allow for you to get paid more and get into the administration and business of nursing.

To work in a N.I.C.U. like you said you want to - you'd have to be a RN.

Hope this all helps.:nurse:

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Aniras- Nice run down. I personally wanted to jump ship and go for my LPN. The perfect opportunity for me didn't happen and I've decided to take the ladder approach and work my way up. I registered for a CNA coorifice and after plan on going on for PCT. After either Sonography or LPN. Know of any good sonography programs in NYC? What about PCT schools? I registered with Manhattan Institue for the CNA, should I stay there and do PCT? Also do you know of the Mildred Elley School in NYC for the LPN program? Considering that as well.. Thanks

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I have to say thank you all!! You've been wonderful help. I wish there was a better way to tell you ALL how much its met to me that you have replied and have taken your time to try to help me!!

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