[SingDanceRunLife]

Hi guys,

I'm currently finishing up my junior year of high school...But unlike most juniors, I have all sorts of things all planned out. I know that I want to major in nursing. I know where I want to apply.

After high school, I am plan on getting a BSN and then working. Depending on if I want to go back to school or not, and how I like what I'm doing, I might go for my Master's to become a PNP.

That's not in the immediate future though.

In the immediate future, I'm thinking of becoming a CNA. The local vocational/tech school offers a CNA program during the school year, and I've signed up to do it next year for various reasons:

1. It's free training and taking it would make me eligible to sit for the state exam.
2. I think it would get me good exposure to the nursing field.
3. It's very hands on, and I absolutely love hands on things.

The program is about 2 1/2 hours each day, Monday through Friday including both lectures and clinicals. Does this sounds good?

Along with the CNA program, I will be taking AP Bio next year because I realize that Bio is definitely needed when thinking about the medical field.

I do have a couple of questions though:

1. Many colleges that have BSN programs aren't direct entry...You have to go as a pre-nursing student and then apply to the nursing program. Will the CNA program help my chances in cases like that?
2. How hard is it to find a job as a CNA? I was thinking that maybe I could work as one next summer, and also summers while I'm in college.
3. Anything else I should know?
4. Out of these colleges (they're all ones I'm thinking about applying to), which do you think has the best nursing program and which do you think is the best school overall? Temple University, Howard University, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Stony Brook.

Thanks!

Oh, and as to why I want to be a nurse (since lots of people ask me that when I tell them that's what I want to do)...

Well, the medical field was the first thing that I ever wanted to do. Like most little kids, I said I wanted to be a doctor...Well, doctors are great people, and definitely needed, but I'm more of a people person than that. The most appealing thing about nursing is the very patient oriented approach. I want to deal with people directly, I want to make a direct impact, and get to know them a bit. I also like working with other people...And medicine is incredibly interesting! I seriously watch Discovery Health Channel and read about all sorts of medical stuff online just for fun. And pediatrics? Well, I've absolutely always loved kids, so being a pediatric nurse blends my great interest in the medical field with my social skills and love of children.

...And yes, I have in fact given this more thought than many college students...And yes, I do realize that my plans might change...But I don't think I could stray too far. My life goal in terms of careers has always been to help people, and I'm sure that I'll do that in whatever I end up doing.

[NURSEOK5]

Good for you. I think that everyone who applies to nursing school should be required to be a cna at least 6 months before accecptance. But that is just my personal view. Getting your cna will benefit you while you are finishing high school and will expose you to the field. Are you looking to work in a LTC or Hospital? There are always jobs for cna's. Some facilitys offer training on site, typically some LTC's. While working your first years of college your cna will probably guarantee you work. As for which schools are the best, talk to your school counselor or the vo-tech advisor they may have a better idea. If you are going for your BSN you will be able to sit for your LPN boards and that just increase the pay and allows more oppotunity before you complete your BSN. Good Luck

[MichaelFloridaRN]

Go for it ! I do think that working as a CNA gave me the ability to look at any situation from both sides of the story. Good luck.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Yeah, I'm definitely going for a BSN, mostly because that would make it easier if I decide that I want to become a PNP which is something that I'm thinking about maybe doing.

[bethin]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

1. Many colleges that have BSN programs aren't direct entry...You have to go as a pre-nursing student and then apply to the nursing program. Will the CNA program help my chances in cases like that?
2. How hard is it to find a job as a CNA? I was thinking that maybe I could work as one next summer, and also summers while I'm in college.
3. Anything else I should know?
4. Out of these colleges (they're all ones I'm thinking about applying to), which do you think has the best nursing program and which do you think is the best school overall? Temple University, Howard University, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Stony Brook.

1. I've never heard of this. If there is an interview portion to the process it might help you.

2. Not hard. There are plenty of positions in just about every area of hospital nursing. If you decide on LTC, choose wisely. There are about 10 bad facilities for every good one.

3. No, I think you have a good idea of what you want to do.

4. I don't know much about these, but I have heard good things about SUNY Stony Brook.

Good luck!

[bollweevil]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

Hi guys,

I'm currently finishing up my junior year of high school...But unlike most juniors, I have all sorts of things all planned out. I know that I want to major in nursing. I know where I want to apply.

After high school, I am plan on getting a BSN and then working. Depending on if I want to go back to school or not, and how I like what I'm doing, I might go for my Master's to become a PNP.

That's not in the immediate future though.

In the immediate future, I'm thinking of becoming a CNA. The local vocational/tech school offers a CNA program during the school year, and I've signed up to do it next year for various reasons:

1. It's free training and taking it would make me eligible to sit for the state exam.
2. I think it would get me good exposure to the nursing field.
3. It's very hands on, and I absolutely love hands on things.

The program is about 2 1/2 hours each day, Monday through Friday including both lectures and clinicals. Does this sounds good?

Along with the CNA program, I will be taking AP Bio next year because I realize that Bio is definitely needed when thinking about the medical field.

I do have a couple of questions though:

1. Many colleges that have BSN programs aren't direct entry...You have to go as a pre-nursing student and then apply to the nursing program. Will the CNA program help my chances in cases like that?
2. How hard is it to find a job as a CNA? I was thinking that maybe I could work as one next summer, and also summers while I'm in college.
3. Anything else I should know?
4. Out of these colleges (they're all ones I'm thinking about applying to), which do you think has the best nursing program and which do you think is the best school overall? Temple University, Howard University, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Stony Brook.

Thanks!

Oh, and as to why I want to be a nurse (since lots of people ask me that when I tell them that's what I want to do)...

Well, the medical field was the first thing that I ever wanted to do. Like most little kids, I said I wanted to be a doctor...Well, doctors are great people, and definitely needed, but I'm more of a people person than that. The most appealing thing about nursing is the very patient oriented approach. I want to deal with people directly, I want to make a direct impact, and get to know them a bit. I also like working with other people...And medicine is incredibly interesting! I seriously watch Discovery Health Channel and read about all sorts of medical stuff online just for fun. And pediatrics? Well, I've absolutely always loved kids, so being a pediatric nurse blends my great interest in the medical field with my social skills and love of children.

...And yes, I have in fact given this more thought than many college students...And yes, I do realize that my plans might change...But I don't think I could stray too far. My life goal in terms of careers has always been to help people, and I'm sure that I'll do that in whatever I end up doing.

Hi, you definitely sound very together.

Can't speak to the school issue. I know nothing about any of them. Try to visit the campuses, speak with current students and alumni. Where do you do your clinicals at each school? Ask your guidance/college counselor to help you evaluate these schools.

I think being a CNA can only help you in discovering whether or not you like the field. You will learn hands-on patient care, you will get an inside view of the world of Nursing. I don't know that it will necessarily help you get into school but it will give you confidence and let you explore the field of Nursing. It will help familiarize you with medical terminology and hospital/nursing home procedures. Go for it!

Medicine vs. Nursing - doctors deal directly with people, too, just in a different way. They make tons more money and receive more respect than nurses do. Are you motivated by the thought of a money, status, and power or do you prefer to help sick people in a hands-on way, no matter what the pay, how heavy the workload, or what hours you might work ( day shift, night shift, weekends and holidays)? Not that doctors don't also take call on nights, weekends, and holidays but they can do that from home after their years of residency, whereas a nurse has to be at the bedside.

You will spend many a Christmas and every other holiday at work, even if you have kids or out-of-town guests.

I think your goal of PNP is great but I'm not sure what the job market is like for PNP's or what it will be like in 10 years or so when you are ready to enter the field.

There are some roles in Nursing that do not require shift work, generally, or being at the bedside. These would be teaching, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and administration (director of nursing, assistant DON), infection control nurse, clinical specialist, and nurse educator (staff development).

Nursing lets you explore many paths, such as school nurse or summer camp nurse, and you can usually take your own children to camp with you.

I wish you every success.

[SingDanceRunLife]

I think that I would prefer a hospital, but a LTC environment would be OK too. There's only one hospital and a few LTC's where I live (I live in a really small city), so there isn't a whole lot of choice...But there are a couple places that are really nice!

As I said, I'm not sure if I want to be a PNP, it's just a possibility. No matter which direction I go though, I do want to work with kids. I have before, and I absolutely adore it!

And yes, doctors do deal with people directly, but as you said, not in the same way. It's the nursing approach that I like better. And unlike many people, I'm certainly not going into this field for the money! I don't care about having a lot of money, or anything like that...And weird hours? That's OK, as longs as I'm on my own. Once I get settled down, I want to have regular hours, like in a doctor's office or something. Either way though, my main goal is to help people. Even if I decide that nursing isn't for me, I know that I'll end up doing something that helps people because that's just the type of person I am.