advice?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I posted this in the Indiana forum too cuz I thought it would be cool to get a perspective from the state I will be nursing in-but I thought I would post it here too:

I've been hanging around here reading stuff for a while, and I just wanted to get some advice if that's cool.

I live in Indianapolis. Right now, I'm a massage therapist. I like it a lot-but I just feel like as much as it helps people, it's not enough. And there are still a lot of people that don't take it seriously. I just want to do more, ya know? Anyway, I've thought about becoming a nurse for a long time.

I got married last month, so the stress of wedding planning is finally out of the way and we're just kind of settled down now-so I have plenty of free time and am ready to take on school again. My question, or questions-would be where do I begin??? I applied to Ivy Tech and I know that I have to start taking some pre-reqs and stuff. I've already been to college, so I have English and Speech and stuff like that out of the way. I also have 2 Anatomy classes from when I went to college for Massage (although, even if those transfered, I would take them again because I could use a refresher). I know I'll need to take some sort of Math too.

Anyway, I'm finding that Ivy Tech is NOT helpful at all. I can't get straight answers about anything from anyone. So what should I do. Just start registering for the classes that are pre-reqs and after I'm done with those, apply for the nursing program??

I would love to try IUPUI or something, but I'm really worried about the money. Ivy Tech is the most affordable for me. I'm going to apply for Financial Aid-so maybe that will help a little. This will be the first time I'm applying for FAFSA that they won't have to go off my parents income, because I'm finally old enough to apply alone (24) AND I'm married now, so either way, I won't have to use them, so that MIGHT help me.

Basically in all my rambling here, I'm just trying to figure out what steps to take and when to take them, because I'd like to get this started as soon as I can. And I was gonna go right for the RN, but it seems like it might be hard to get into that, so should I go for LPN first, and work as an LPN as I get my RN?? There's SOOOO much to consider and it seems like you're totally alone in trying to get information.

Thanks in advance for the help!! I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

lots of luck in your endeavours

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

hi, lyndsaynicole!

the first thing you need to do is get your hands on the college catalog of the nursing school you are interested in. these days they are all online. go to the section on the department of nursing and you will find all the requirements to get a degree in nursing are listed there. of course, in the beginning pages of the catalog will be the specifics of what you need to graduate from the college itself, applying to the college, fees, etc. the college catalog is the official word. don't depend on word of mouth to find your information.

here's some reading for you to do about the career of nursing, different types of nurses, different licenses in nursing, etc. have fun reading up!

http://www.discovernursing.com/

http://www.nursingsociety.org/career/cmap.html

http://www.nurse.com/nursecontent/ - this is a very nice site that has a career showcase that explains what some of the various specialties in nursing are as well as having information about the various licensing levels in nursing and how to prepare and get your education to become a nurse.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/42226.html - "thinking about nursing school? consider your many options" from the college board.

http://www.wetfeet.com/content/careers/nursing.aspx - about nursing from webfeet.com

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm - about registered nursing from the u.s. department of labor

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm - about lpn nursing from the u.s. department of labor

http://nursing.about.com/od/becomeanurse/bb/beforenurse.htm - "before you decide to become a nurse". things to consider about being a nurse. lots of links to information about what skills you need to become a nurse. and, what if you're really bad at math and science is discussed.

http://nursing.about.com/od/becomeanurse/a/notforeveryone.htm - "nursing is not for everyone". this is a very down to earth and honest article that broadly discusses what a nurse does and what you can expect on the job as a nurse.

Specializes in Neuro.

The major advice I have for you, since you sound somewhat flexible, is to keep your options open. I would contact the school you want to attend (call the nursing college, not just admissions or another office) and set up an advising appointment. Bring your transcripts, and maybe an undergraduate catalog from your old school if you have one, if you want to argue for classes to be transferred. Get an idea of the application process (some schools I considered required an entrance test be taken during your prereqs), how long it takes to get accepted (some have waiting lists, some you have to reapply every semester), and what prereqs are required. You will find that most schools want the same prereqs with a few exceptions or added classes. There is probably no harm in starting prereqs now, but I would probably look at all the programs you are considering and compare their prereqs (they're usually available on the schools' website) and make sure you are taking classes that will transfer and apply to all your interested programs.

Whether you go for an LPN first or straight to an RN program is really up to you, although I have heard that many LPN programs are in technical schools that don't accept FAFSA (not sure on this, though... I didn't consider tham).

Good luck!

Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

You don't really need to speak to someone at the college to find out what to do if you are finding that they are not being helpful. Go to the colleges website and they will have a student catalog, that will list every detail of every major of every class you need to take.

Don't be suprised if you have to take two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology over again. Classes given at trade schools are usually not transferrable....junior colleges run into that same problem.

Good luck! I think it would be a great transition for you!

Many schools seem to offer a weekly/monthly info session, and it's often required to attend it before you can make an appointment with an advisor. It's probably on the CON's website, if they have one. They'll tell you all the basics and go over all the programs that that school offers, and usually allow you to ask questions. Don't be intimidated by how hard you hear it is to get into an RN/BSN program. Find out what your local schools look at for admissions and what your GPA of transferable credits is. Then take a couple of prereqs. You might surprise yourself and start making As. If not, do LPN first. Just don't be intimidated already. Educate yourself about what grades/scores/esperience you'll need, and then you're already halfway there. Good luck!

Thank you all for the great advice and the websites and such! I am very determined to become a nurse, and when I want something bad enough, I make it happen-SO I have a lot of hard work ahead of me!

I'll keep hanging around here and learning as well! Thanks again!!

Specializes in Maternity, quality.

Are you looking at the accelerated BSN at IUPUI? I just checked their website and it mentioned that they have info sessions, so it would probably pay to check that out. I've heard good things about them as a school.

Are you looking at the accelerated BSN at IUPUI? I just checked their website and it mentioned that they have info sessions, so it would probably pay to check that out. I've heard good things about them as a school.

I would love to go to IUPUI but I have to see whats the better match for me financially-IUPUI is way expensive, and I already have student loans from going to college before, so I want to try to do this for as little money as possible (if there's any such thing with colleges..haha!). They're a great school-I'm just going to check into everything! Thanks for the tip!

Specializes in Maternity, quality.
I would love to go to IUPUI but I have to see whats the better match for me financially-IUPUI is way expensive, and I already have student loans from going to college before, so I want to try to do this for as little money as possible (if there's any such thing with colleges..haha!). They're a great school-I'm just going to check into everything! Thanks for the tip!

But it costs nothing to look into it! They may know of resources that will offset the cost, scholarships, etc. that aren't on the website. Also, I think it's important to weigh the true costs, both monetary and non. If an accelerated program will get you out into the work world faster then you are earning an RN salary quicker, if it means that you won't be having to put in the time later while you're working as an LPN to bridge to the RN, etc. it may be a better option. Again, there's no right answer, it's something you have to work out for yourself, I just encourage people to look at all sides of the issue before they decide to do something (or not). Good luck!

But it costs nothing to look into it! They may know of resources that will offset the cost, scholarships, etc. that aren't on the website. Also, I think it's important to weigh the true costs, both monetary and non. If an accelerated program will get you out into the work world faster then you are earning an RN salary quicker, if it means that you won't be having to put in the time later while you're working as an LPN to bridge to the RN, etc. it may be a better option. Again, there's no right answer, it's something you have to work out for yourself, I just encourage people to look at all sides of the issue before they decide to do something (or not). Good luck!

Good point :) I'm gonna start looking into IUPUI-I mean, it doesn't hurt to apply there and see what my financial aid would be there-right?? :) Thanks!!

+ Add a Comment