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Ok, first of all I guess I should start by saying hey! I am new to this community obviously, but I have been a close follower whenever nursing doubts (well not doubts, but more so questions) pop into my head. My name is Chris, I am an EMT graduate, and certified. I am currently 18 years old, turning 19 in December and I am definitely going into the nursing career. But because of my financial situation being a tad limited at the time, the route I have chosen to follow is going to my LPN first then after tackling the transitional program. I am hoping to start at Atlantic Tech Center in Jan. Or maybe one of its sister schools (McFatter, Sheridan). The Nursing career has been in my family for some time now, and I am fully convinced it is the route I am taking.

I am focused, I study my hardest and work my hardest at everything I do and I believe I can handle the beast that is RN school. But the reason I made this thread more importantly. Is to humbly ask for any tips, points of view or perspectives I should know or have before I start school. No matter how small, big, wacky the tip might be I would love to hear it. Because the more I know before going in, the less I think I will be surprised about. After all knowledge is power?

My family has told me some things but it seems rather one sided to their point of view. So I would simply like others now. Thanks again, ill be sure to read and reply to all to have a say.

(Sorry for double posting this, i realized this was a better section for it.)

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Thanks, do you all mind if i ask what dept. you work in. And why you chose it or love it? Ever since my rotations in the ER. I just loved it, I knew from that point that i would be happy with that career in that area. But when i say happy being in the ER it seems only Nurses understand what i mean. Most people look at me like im a bad person ha. But yes I cant wait to get going! Thanks for the feedback to :D

My first job was right away after graduation in Peds and I did like it (also had short stay adults). It wasn't where I saw myself but I liked the unit itself but I still kept craving the ER. I actually tried to find out if I could work in the ED PRN but the hospital didn't allow that.

Anyway I just got a job at an ED in a different hospital. I start on Monday. :)

I have just always wanted a job where I truly made a difference in peoples lives. Nursing wasn't my first choice, but I think it's a good choice and in the short experience I have had when it comes to patient care I have gotten out of it exactly what I was hoping to.

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Jeez 10k a semester ANNA? But oh ok i see where your coming from. And Mi Vida, that is exactly how i feel. Making a difference, Ive grown up taught to help people, so its only fitting that along with that I consider myself a good candidate for the NS program. I love the support you guys give here. I feel so welcomed! Thanks everyone.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I attend one of those expensive private schools and it IS that - expensive! I hear people on here all the time saying the pay around $1000 a semester and I get pretty jealous. My school is around $10,000 a semester - but I do really enjoy my school. It has an awesome reputation with all of the locations around this area that hire nurses so they tend to go towards our graduates. Also, this school (which as I said earlier, is Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, PA) is really willing to work with you financially. I received more than $5000 in grant money for this semester and the same for the next one. So while it is expensive, it has a lot of different grants available.

No to mention its just about 20 minutes from where I live..much closer than any other school in the area except Penn State, but they would have charged me more because I'm still considered an out of state resident. :uhoh3:

Good not going to Penn State. Lost all respect for that school.

10 G's a semester is insane though, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Jeez 10k a semester ANNA? But oh ok i see where your coming from. And Mi Vida, that is exactly how i feel. Making a difference, Ive grown up taught to help people, so its only fitting that along with that I consider myself a good candidate for the NS program. I love the support you guys give here. I feel so welcomed! Thanks everyone.

This site can be an awesome resource for school. I started coming here during my Pre Reqs. Just be careful, because a lot of people vent it can also scare the crap out of you. Reading so many posts I thought NS was going to be hell. It wasn't. Not even close. So just try not to let the negativity get to you. Welcome to Allnurses. :)

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LOL! Oh boy, well I suppose sometimes people gotta do what they gotta do. But thanks ill be sure to keep track/in touch of what and how i do.

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Specializes in LTC.
:twocents:my opinion, based on years and years of observing and teaching students and new nurses is this: don't waste your time with lpn school. you are young. if you add up the time it will take you to do lpn-as-bs, you save time (and money) by doing bsn from the git-go.

i can't tell you how often i heard (and hear), "but i can work and earn money and then go to school while i do it/get into a bridge program/etc." these people mean well and it sounds like a great idea, but a substantial percentage of them find that it is really damn hard to work as a nurse and be in nursing school. all of them tell me they wish they'd done it in a more direct path in the first place.

take the time now, when you have fewer life complications (family, kids, mortgage, car loans, and who knows what else will come up), to get in an rn-preparation program. bsn is the way to go, and if you get it out of the way now, you'll always have it.

ha! i was right... before reading the responses i knew someone would tell the op that lpn school is a waste of time and money.

op- you have to do what is best for you. for me, becoming a lpn first was the best option for me. i used to get the same response as you did, i already had my mind made up and did not let other peoples' opinion discourage my plans. being a lpn has enabled me to gain valuable nursing experience. it has actually made rn school easier for me since i'm familiar with many diseases, meds, and using critical thinking. i'm also to me a decent income. i currently work part-time so ns haven't really been stressful. good luck on your career path. remember to stay true to yourself and lpns are nurses too. :nurse:

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Ha! I was right... before reading the responses I knew someone would tell the OP that LPN school is a waste of time and money.

OP- you have to do what is best for you. For me, becoming a LPN first WAS the best option for me. I used to get the same response as you did, I already had my mind made up and did not let other peoples' opinion discourage my plans. Being a LPN has enabled me to gain valuable nursing experience. It has actually made RN school easier for me since I'm familiar with many diseases, meds, and using critical thinking. I'm also to me a decent income. I currently work part-time so NS haven't really been stressful. Good luck on your career path. Remember to stay true to yourself and LPNs are NURSES too. :nurse:

Thanks, I know it all boils down to what the persons needs are and what they can do. So we will see, the year is comming soon and ill have to make a choice. Im sure it will be the right one, and no doubt about the LPN's being nurses too. One big medical family lol.

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