[desireef]

I wasnt sure exactly where to post this but I don't know how to get into Nursing. I never finished highschool, I was forced to drop out and start working to help provide for my family. I am now 18 years old and with a GED and i have wanted to become an RN for a long time. I just, don't know where to start. What to do.. or where to begin. How do i get started? Help please! I'm so anxious and determined to make this dream a reality. Thank you for any help/advice you can give me!

[1lvnurse]

Hello and Welcome!
Try your local colleges and see if they have a nursing program available.
If so, you can register to take the necessary pre-reqs. Once you complete these you can apply for the nursing program. Good Luck in your future!!

[desireef]

Thank you! What are pre-reqs if you don't mind me asking?

[1lvnurse]

Prerequisites are courses you need to take prior to applying for the nursing program itself. I am not sure what colleges across the country require, but to give you an idea, this is what I was required to take:
Biology - Fundamentals of Life Sciene (like an intro. to biology)
English/Compostion
General Psychology
Communications
Sociology
HIST 101 & 102 or Political Science
Math for Allied Health Professions /mostly calculations for med administration
ANatomy & Phsyiology I
Anatomy & Phsiology II
Microbiology
Depending on where you attend, the requirements to get into the nursing program may differ. Once you have completed the required courses you can apply with your school for entrance into the nursing program itself.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions I will be more than happy to try to answer them for you!

[Tweety]

Good luck to you. I agree it is best to go to your local college in person and talk to an advisor there, or visit their website.

There's probably going to be a placement test to test your English and Math skills. But don't worry about this, if you can't pass then you are placed in appropriate remedial courses.

Good luck!

[desireef]

Thank you soo much! I am very excited. About how long do the pre-reqs last?

[FutureNurse35]

Hello and congratulation for completing the GED. That is a great accomplishment.
The first step is to check a community college and take a placement test. The test will determine the levels of English and Math you would need to take. You may call a local community college, set an appointment with an advisor. They will then, guide your through the rest of the steps.

I wish you the best to luck in your quest to become an RN.
May God bless you.

[1lvnurse]

Each semester is normally 3 months. Depending on the college you attend, you may have to take your intro to biology prior to taking Anatomy & Physiology I and II. Normally you can't take these all at the same time, and would require several semesters to complete. The other required courses would depend on how much time you have to spend in school / study time.
The best thing for you would be to contact the college you wish to attend and set up an appointment to talk to an advisor or counselor. They will be able to get you started, and offer you more precise information. Not all colleges have the same exact requirements. Good Luck, keep us posted!

[desireef]

Do I take the Pre-reqs at the same school that I wanna take nursing at? Or can I take the Pre-reqs at a different college. Because, I live in Georgia but I'm planning to go to a nursing school in California. (to be in the same state as my long-term boyfriend) BUT i can't do that for another year. So I thought maybe I could take my Pre-reqs here and then go to school for nursing in California. There aren't any colleges near where I live (very small town) that have Nursing as a major. Or could I take the pre-reqs at a school that doesn't even offer Nursing?

Also, Do i have to get my associates in nursing before I can get my Bachelors? Sorry if i sound stupid but i am just clueless when it comes to a lot of this. I don't understand how it works and even makes me feel a little ignorant sometimes. Thanks for any help you can give me!

[EricEnfermero]

Originally Posted by desireef

Do I take the Pre-reqs at the same school that I wanna take nursing at? Or can I take the Pre-reqs at a different college. Because, I live in Georgia but I'm planning to go to a nursing school in California. (to be in the same state as my long-term boyfriend) BUT i can't do that for another year. So I thought maybe I could take my Pre-reqs here and then go to school for nursing in California. There aren't any colleges near where I live (very small town) that have Nursing as a major. Or could I take the pre-reqs at a school that doesn't even offer Nursing?

Also, Do i have to get my associates in nursing before I can get my Bachelors? Sorry if i sound stupid but i am just clueless when it comes to a lot of this. I don't understand how it works and even makes me feel a little ignorant sometimes. Thanks for any help you can give me!

You can take the prereqs at a different place (even a school with no nursing program), but you probably want to figure out which CA nursing schools you're interested in, then talk to the schools to make sure those courses from your local college will transfer. It can get a little complicated when you're talking about schools in two different states, but it just takes planning.

And you can go straight for a BSN. A popular thing to do though, is to get your associates degree, start working as an RN, then finish the BSN part-time.