[tigerlily4]

So have been wanting to become a nurse for a few years, and just have started looking into it more because next year I will be senior in high school. I have things going on in my life where I cannot move out of state to go to a good college, but there is one near by that I know of a few who have gotten their LNP.

My question is: I'm not sure exactly what I want to go into. I don't know all of the 'medical' terms so I find it hard to look into a lot of things.

I would like to become a nurse in the pediatrics department. I'm not sure what degree you would need for that. Also anyone who has worked here I would love to hear stories, both good and any bad.

Thank-you all so much

[WayneStateKatie]

Originally Posted by tigerlily4

I would like to become a nurse in the pediatrics department. I'm not sure what degree you would need for that. Also anyone who has worked here I would love to hear stories, both good and any bad.

Thank-you all so much

Hi there! It's great that you know that you want to be a nurse-- now you just have to do something about it

There are many capacities in which you can work in a hospital. Medical assistants and CNAs can take courses which are often offered through many community colleges. You mentioned the one near you also offers a LPN (licensed practical nurse) program. At the end of competing that you would be eligible to sit for the licensing exam and you would be a LPN. Most community colleges (in my area-- Michigan) offer RN programs in addition to LPN. Registered nursing programs require more classes than the aforementioned programs. RNs will earn a higher salary. Most community colleges also offer a "bridge program" for LPNs who want to become RNs that can be completed while working. Four year universities also offer students the chance to become RNs by earing their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) but an associates degree in registered nursing allows you all the same job opportunities and takes less time and money.

I don't know where you live but have you already gone and talked to someone in your college's nursing department? Do you live near a major hospital? A lot of people get their "foot in the door" at hospitals as nurses aides or CNAs. They then work at the hospital and take advantage of their tuition reimbursement programs and take courses to become an LPN while working as a CNA. Later they will work at this same hospital as a LPN after licensure and will again take advantage of the tuition programs to attend a LPN to RN bridge program to become RNs.

Talk to as many people as possible in the nursing department. See if you can get your foot in the door in the hospital-- even just as a volunteer-- if you do a great job and network someone will help you on the path towards your new career. Plus it will help you to see if you like the hospital and if it is the right career for you.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors

[js408]

In California, you can become a registered nurse (RN) with a two-year associates degree in nursing. I wouldn't really worry about getting into the best-of-the-best college if you can't move out of state. There is a universal nursing shortage and no one is going to get passed over because they didn't go to the "right" school.

Originally Posted by tigerlily4

So have been wanting to become a nurse for a few years, and just have started looking into it more because next year I will be senior in high school. I have things going on in my life where I cannot move out of state to go to a good college, but there is one near by that I know of a few who have gotten their LNP.

My question is: I'm not sure exactly what I want to go into. I don't know all of the 'medical' terms so I find it hard to look into a lot of things.

I would like to become a nurse in the pediatrics department. I'm not sure what degree you would need for that. Also anyone who has worked here I would love to hear stories, both good and any bad.

Thank-you all so much

[js408]

Check out this website, it's specific to California but it probably applies in some ways to whatever state you live in. Gives a step by step guide to how to become a nurse, excellent website-

http://www.rn.ca.gov/careers/steps.shtml

Originally Posted by tigerlily4

So have been wanting to become a nurse for a few years, and just have started looking into it more because next year I will be senior in high school. I have things going on in my life where I cannot move out of state to go to a good college, but there is one near by that I know of a few who have gotten their LNP.

My question is: I'm not sure exactly what I want to go into. I don't know all of the 'medical' terms so I find it hard to look into a lot of things.

I would like to become a nurse in the pediatrics department. I'm not sure what degree you would need for that. Also anyone who has worked here I would love to hear stories, both good and any bad.

Thank-you all so much