Where to start?

[ALIAYERS]

First and foremost, this is my first time really going to college. My first time through I went to a trade school and all the coursework was laid out for me (foundations I, II, III, etc etc etc -> externship) And I am beyond confused as what I need to do first, where to go, how to go about it. At 23 years old I'm completely in the dark about the education system. From the research I've done online I'll bullet point what I've deduced, please correct me if I'm wrong!

• Finish all gen ed classes first
  
• Some classes can be taken online, but i'll need to find a campus
  
• Its best to push all the way to BSN
  
• I should look for work as a CNA
  

My current goal is to become an ER nurse, and I would like to get started in the field asap, but with no prior experience, I know it's a long shot. A few questions I'd like to ask are: If I'm just taking GenEd classes, is it okay to find the cheapest route online to knock them out? After GenEd, where do I go? How long before I'll be able to start working?

Thank you all in advance for any advice and input passed my way!

[Awesomocity0]

The route that a lot of us younger nurses take is just finding a university and taking all classes there. That way you have one academic adviser who will help you with all your questions - someone who isn't just giving generalizations online but is actually giving you specifics about how to meet your end goal. That being said, I'm not sure if you qualify for that route? Does your trade school education count enough to make you a transfer student? Or are you applying with your high school GPA and test scores? Are those any good? These are things we just don't know based on the information you gave.

If that's not an option for you because of poor grades, you could definitely go to a community college and take your pre-reqs there. A lot of schools have transfer agreements with four year schools, saying if you take certain classes and maintain a certain GPA, you're guaranteed transfer admission. Of course, that's admission into the school, not into the nursing program. For admission into a nursing program, you need more or less perfect grades. So don't fall back on a transfer agreement. Just get your pre-reqs, do your absolute best, and get in the right way.

If you are considering an online route, I'd be very careful. Make sure whatever four year school you plan to transfer into accepts transfer credits from where you are taking your pre-reqs. My university, for examples, required lab sciences. So people who took anatomy and physiology online did not meet the criteria.

Lastly, stay away from pay to get in programs. Just work hard, get good grades, and transfer into a reputable, accredited program so you can get your license AND a job afterward. I recommend in-state, local, so you're not drowning in debt. My thirty grand in debt with a great job I love is manageable and will be paid off shortly. Other people's 100k debt without a job is not so manageable.

[mikayyCNA_]

I agree with the above poster. If you are able to I would do a BSN program at a university. Also as the above poster said, if you are interested in online classes I would check the school you are wanting to get your BSN from and make sure the classes will transfer. Another option, if you have nursing credits from the previous votech you attended, is to finish your LPN at vocational school and then transfer into a LPN to BSN program at a university. That's the route I am taking. But before you decide on that route I would research your area and make sure that your local hospitals hire LPNs. I know in some areas they're not used at all, however in my area every hospital in the state hires as many LPNs as they do RNs.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I highly recommend starting at your local community college. Go to the academic advising office and tell them your goals. Start there, it costs less, and you will get great support. I already had a bachelors degree when I went to CC, and I have not regretted it for a second. My CC had transfer fairs, advisors in the know, and I met people going into different programs, so that I could get an idea of what was available to me. While you are taking your gen ed classes, go to the open houses at all the nursing schools around. Cost is a big thing to consider, because RNs make pretty much the same amount of money no matter what school they went to. Good luck

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

For a slightly different perspective, I'd suggest identifying some good BSN programs within your reach (geographic if it matters; financial) and make an appointment to talk with an admissions counselor for the nursing program. This is where you'll find out their particular prereqs, any relationships they have with community colleges whose coursework they would accept in transfer vs. requirements to take everything as an integrated whole in the 4-year bachelor's (there are both kinds of programs extant), minimum GPA vs. what last year's accepted student GPA was, financial aid, and all sorts of other info.

This is is a daunting list for an 18-year-old but you are more mature and can pull it off. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Go with the lowest cost option to complete your pre-requisites. In most cases, this is your local (tax supported) Community College. Many CC's also offer distance learning options, including lived-streaming to satellite locations as well as completely online classes. BUT - make sure that all your "lab" courses (microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, etc) are 'live and in-person. There is also a considerable amount of evidence that you'll have better results if you take math classes in a classroom setting - so unless you are very strong in math skills, don't take them online.

Wishing you the absolute best of luck on your educational journey