[BSNStudent808]

Hey I'm only 22 years old now and got long ways ahead of me in nursing. I rarely see bedside nurses who are male and are a lot older. I mostly see them having masters or doctorates...

[Unavailable]

i like being involved in the healing process and helpin those in need. i also liked the fact id never be out of the job well for the foreseeable future anyways. ive just gota find an area to suit myself though i guess ..ED is nice....im interested in theater..hope to get a chance to try it soon

[x512X]

Hello, new member here. Have been wanting to go to school in nursing since high school and now I'm 27 and am serious about it. I've looked around town at a vocational center which has a LPN program and at the community college with a great nursing program as well. I have not been to college and am kind of confused as to which direction I should take. Any advice? I'd appreciate it.

[NewMexicoJohn]

If I were you I'd see what pre-requisites are needed for the RN program. At your age it's better to spend the time to get your RN properly. It may take you two years just to finish your pre-requisites, but don't let that discourage you......consider it part of your education. It's about a 3-4 year road to become an RN after high school.

Here are the classes you will typically need but they vary from school to school. I would start out taking just ONE class at night and put everything you have into it. You'll develop confidence......keep going.....then take two classes the next semester and so on.

One word of caution.......do not underestimate the degree of difficulty in these freshman level courses. They are ball busters and you should really shoot for an "A" in all of your classes if you want to get into an RN program. You can make one or two "B"s along the way but I would strive for A's. I know here in New Mexico there are waiting lists of students waiting to get into RN school. I would not reccommend doing the LVN or LPN program because there are so many limitiations to practice with that credential. You need to get your RN if you want to make clinical decisions and really learn the foundations.

You need a solid foundation in Algebra.
You need 2 semesters of Anatomy and Physiology (I wouldn't take any other classes when you take A&P, they are REALLY hard courses)
You need 2 semesters of basic Chemistry
You need 1 semester of Microbiology
You need 1 semester of Human Growth and Development
You need 1 semester of Nutrition

And of course, you'll need the basic English and Humanities that colleges require. The above courses are pretty standard at most colleges and universities. I would recommend starting at your community college. Take one course at a time until you develop confidence and good study habits. Talk to the folks in the Nursing Program and let them know you are tracking to apply to the RN program. They'll tell you EXACTLY what classes to take and hopefully they can mentor you.

I say GO FOR IT! Our economy is TANKING and Nursing is going to be a job that will always be there to pay the bills no matter WHERE you move in the world. Other jobs may pay more but Nursing will pay off in spades in terms of job availability and such. There are predicted to be HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of software engineers and Sales people out of jobs in the coming decade. You're doing the right thing. DO IT NOW. Don't wait. I was an X-ray tech in my early 20's and it was a great job with good pay and benefits and it was a good stepping stone to other jobs later in life. Now that I am in my late 40's I am trying Nursing as my last career jump!

I say............GO FOR IT! It's way better to BURN out than to RUST out!

Turn the after burners on and go kick some ass!

[scrna3851]

Originally Posted by agent

Glad to see you guys.

I think it will be slightly to my advantage to be the only guys amongst a bunch of women, but im also slightly scared by it.

agent,
the truth is that the women luv the male nurses, it's so easy to make it through the day. I have been a CVICU RN for six years and have yet to wipe someones backside. I work a deal with the females. If I help them get there pts up, then they do the cleaning up. I still very much do a lot of accessing, but never touch a rag. sounds good to me. It's even less likely that it will happen in the future b/c I start CRNA school in AUG. 08. Not trying to sound like a jurk. Really. Handle every woman with kitten gloves and the days will be good. Stay cool.

[2bELNurse1]

New guy here also, 22 and just finish my CNA certification and now I got in the LPN program.

[mursestudent]

Hello all...
I will be starting clinicals in sept. any advice anyone can offer would be great.

[swimmer01]

I need a review for oncology lvn test can anyone help me out??

[SteveRN21]

Originally Posted by swimmer01

I need a review for oncology lvn test can anyone help me out??

Try the oncology forum under the specialty tab

[New-1-2]

Hi all,
I'm new here also. I will be starting LPN school in Sept. I have been out of school for 7 yrs. I wanted to go the Accelerated BSN route but don't have the pre-req's. I have a BS in Business, so the transition without pre-req's makes me nervous, so please pray for me. I intend to do RN bridge upon completion & press on to MSN. God bless.