A little guidance...

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Hey all, I'm new to the forum and to nursing. I would like some input on where to work as a nursing student, something part-time. I'm currently completing my pre-requisites to get into a program. To give you a little background, I'm 26 years old with a B.A. in Communications and an A.S. in law enforcement (2.5 GPA). I have mostly sales experience. The rate of pay isn't a concern but the experience I will gain to help me out in the workplace and future classes is. Anything that makes me more appealing for being accepted into a program is also a plus. I was thinking a pharmacy tech. so I'm familiar with the drugs but I'm not sure how much nurses actually deal with that. It also seems that most colleges are extremely backed up and I don't want to take a year or two off to wait for acceptance. My low GPA doesn't make me the top choice so would it be recommended that I open up my options to an RN program, build up my GPA and do an RN-BSN? I was initially looking into the accellerated BSN programs but I hear they're much harder to get into. I know that's alot but any input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

You should go for the accelerated program. It wouldn't hurt to try. For RN-BSN, you would need an associates in nursing first.

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Hey all, I'm new to the forum and to nursing. I would like some input on where to work as a nursing student, something part-time. I'm currently completing my pre-requisites to get into a program. To give you a little background, I'm 26 years old with a B.A. in Communications and an A.S. in law enforcement (2.5 GPA). I have mostly sales experience. The rate of pay isn't a concern but the experience I will gain to help me out in the workplace and future classes is. Anything that makes me more appealing for being accepted into a program is also a plus. I was thinking a pharmacy tech. so I'm familiar with the drugs but I'm not sure how much nurses actually deal with that. It also seems that most colleges are extremely backed up and I don't want to take a year or two off to wait for acceptance. My low GPA doesn't make me the top choice so would it be recommended that I open up my options to an RN program, build up my GPA and do an RN-BSN? I was initially looking into the accellerated BSN programs but I hear they're much harder to get into. I know that's alot but any input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

I'm pretty sure pharm tech requires its own school program. My brother was looking into that in order to have a decent job while in school, but it was going to take like 8 months and the program [private] was going to cost like 18,000. If thats standard, then I don't really think its worth it if nursing is your goal.

If your GPA is a problem, I would definitely look into community college ADN programs in your area. The ones around here [orange county, ca] do look at grades, but focus mainly on your core science grades [pre-reqs]. Also, many of them use a formula to determine eligibility [you dont need super high grades in non-science classes] and then use a lottery system from there. In these cases, its entirely possible to have a 2.5 general ed GPA, kick ass on the science pre-reqs [anatomy, physio, micro, plus whatever else they may require], and be perfectly eligable for admission. Also, if time is an issue, and you absolutely dont want to wait around for years to get into an RN program, there are a number of private LVN programs with no waiting list. These programs will be expensive [around here they run from 26-30k+], but once you have your LVN [which takes about a year full time], you can usually enter as a second year RN student. This will give you a decent wage while completeing your RN, and definitely helps give you experience. One thing to be aware of though, is that in many areas LVN hospital jobs are hard to come by, so you may have to work in a LTC facility/nursing home, or something of that nature. This isn't going to be the best option for everyone, but I think its definitely something to consider. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I worked as a CNA while in nursing school, then as an LPN as I finished my second year of the ADN program. I worked in LTC, in home care, and then, finally, at the hospital. The hospital I work at offers scholarships and tuition assistance to employees furthering their education, and I got scholarship money to help me through nursing school. Plus, since I was a scholarship recipient, it gave me a huge advantage in finding an RN job once I graduated.

Good luck!

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The hospital I work at offers scholarships and tuition assistance to employees furthering their education, and I got scholarship money to help me through nursing school. Plus, since I was a scholarship recipient, it gave me a huge advantage in finding an RN job once I graduated.

I was going to mention that, as well, but do you know if hospital are still doing that? I mean, I know programs like that still exist, but in the current economic conditions where many hospitals have hiring freezes, I wonder if tuition assistance is becoming harder to come by? Anyone know if this is the case?

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I didn't know there were this many options but if they're like the LPN program, I've heard it's best to wait since the classes won't tranfer. I'll start looking into it and see what's possible, thanks all. About the pharm. tech thing, I have a class with a girl (19 yo) who is one now and she hasn't gone through a specialty program so it seems like it wouldn't be a problem.

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I didn't know there were this many options but if they're like the LPN program, I've heard it's best to wait since the classes won't tranfer. I'll start looking into it and see what's possible, thanks all. About the pharm. tech thing, I have a class with a girl (19 yo) who is one now and she hasn't gone through a specialty program so it seems like it wouldn't be a problem.

Well, thats good about the pharm tech job, maybe my brother was looking into something else pharmacy related....

As for the LVN classes not transfering....thats a bit of a misconception. No, the classes taken at a vocational school will not transfer to units at a university/community college. However, for acceptance into a LVN to RN ladder program, your units don't need to transfer. You can enter second year simply by virtue of having your LVN license, in most cases [meaning it doesn't really matter where you went to school for your LVN]. Granted, you'll still need to complete the pre-requisit courses for the RN program [no way around that], but it sounds like you've already completed them or are in the process of doing so. If thats the case, then there should be no problem. Going to a private LVN school to get the process started, and continuing on to an RN program afterward is actually very common.

[i'm speaking for california programs. I'm under the impression that most states are the same, but someone please correct me if I'm misinformed.]

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Specializes in ED.
I didn't know there were this many options but if they're like the LPN program, I've heard it's best to wait since the classes won't tranfer. I'll start looking into it and see what's possible, thanks all. About the pharm. tech thing, I have a class with a girl (19 yo) who is one now and she hasn't gone through a specialty program so it seems like it wouldn't be a problem.

Good prospects are expected for part-time work, especially for pharmacy technicians with formal training. Check out pharmacy techs vs pharmacy aides too...

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos252.htm

:)

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