A pre nurse student, help? Advice? Anything

JenRN30, BSN · Jan 22, 2009

If RN is your goal, try and apply to the program (or a few programs for that matter!). If you don't make it, you can rearrange your plans to get to your goal. Good luck to you. I wish I would've started at your age!

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

Do the LPN first ! You'll earn a decent income while going for your RN, and will also gain priceless experience.

I'm doing the LPN, then RN.

SoCalHeart · Jan 22, 2009

hi! well first of all congrats on recently graduating and starting off in college! sounds like you are doing well so far

here's my :twocents: i think you should finish all your pre-reqs for the rn program at your school and apply as soon as you can with a complete packet. if that is what you really want, just go for it and don't let anything derail you.

i am a little older than you and in a different situation, but was having a rough time myself debating on which way to get to rn. my husband is in the military and we could possibly be moving toward the end of this year, although where we are now, there is a high chance we could request to stay since no one likes to come out here.

anyhow i really want to be an rn, but was considering the lvn route with a bridge because of the horror stories of the waitlists and if we did have to leave here at least i would have that completed and get some experience as a nurse. however, i decided to stick it out and go straight for my rn, after this summer i can apply to my schools program which only does one fall class and another school further away that does both spring and fall.

i don't want to get stuck someplace that isn't what i truly want and even though the lvn route is fantastic, i think ultimately it would just prolong the process. especially in your case where you have to work at least 1000 hrs.

plus my thought is that with the economy the way it is, seems like everyone is trying to get into nursing (people i know of anyway) for whatever reason. there are far more programs for lvns in my state that are just cranking out graduates(community colleges and private programs like voc. schools). there would be slim pickings for ideal jobs and i don't want to get discouraged if i can't help it.

sorry that was long but i say if you want to be an rn go and get it. you're already a step ahead in being a recent hs grad with the determination and self knowlegde that has directed you to nursing. i know waiting around to get accepted into a program even for a couple semesters doesn't seem ideal, but you could always work as a cna in that time if you get that training or take more classes to go towards your associates or just to enrich yourself. also try looking for other programs aroud you, even if you have to commute a little ways, if that's the trade off for getting into thier program sooner it might be worth it to you. best wishes!!!

Nursingismycalling · Jan 22, 2009

hi! well first of all congrats on recently graduating and starting off in college! sounds like you are doing well so far

here's my i think you should finish all your pre-reqs for the rn program at your school and apply as soon as you can with a complete packet. if that is what you really want, just go for it and don't let anything derail you.

i am a little older than you and in a different situation, but was having a rough time myself debating on which way to get to rn. my husband is in the military and we could possibly be moving toward the end of this year, although where we are now, there is a high chance we could request to stay since no one likes to come out here.

anyhow i really want to be an rn, but was considering the lvn route with a bridge because of the horror stories of the waitlists and if we did have to leave here at least i would have that completed and get some experience as a nurse. however, i decided to stick it out and go straight for my rn, after this summer i can apply to my schools program which only does one fall class and another school further away that does both spring and fall.
i don't want to get stuck someplace that isn't what i truly want and even though the lvn route is fantastic, i think ultimately it would just prolong the process. especially in your case where you have to work at least 1000 hrs.

plus my thought is that with the economy the way it is, seems like everyone is trying to get into nursing (people i know of anyway) for whatever reason. there are far more programs for lvns in my state that are just cranking out graduates(community colleges and private programs like voc. schools). there would be slim pickings for ideal jobs and i don't want to get discouraged if i can't help it.

sorry that was long but i say if you want to be an rn go and get it. you're already a step ahead in being a recent hs grad with the determination and self knowlegde that has directed you to nursing. i know waiting around to get accepted into a program even for a couple semesters doesn't seem ideal, but you could always work as a cna in that time if you get that training or take more classes to go towards your associates or just to enrich yourself. also try looking for other programs aroud you, even if you have to commute a little ways, if that's the trade off for getting into thier program sooner it might be worth it to you. best wishes!!!

thank you so much socalheart, and please dont apologize for the length. thats probably the best advice and encouragment that ive heard. i have more hope now! here in central florida, the competition is ridiculous, but i have a 4.0 and im going to keep my head up high. best wishes to you and your future as well :)

SoCalHeart · Jan 22, 2009

i am glad my rambling could help you in some way! take care and keep up all your hard work, you really are doing great with that 4.0!! :yeah:

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

I'm not sure about your circumstances, however I suggest you weigh out both options and do lots of research.

I graduated from HS May 06 and started my Prereqs for nursing in August of that same year. While doing my prereqs I also completed a CNA program, which allowed me to have a stable income and gain experience. I've been a CNA for two years now, and I'm graduating July of this year as a LPN, and I'll only be 20 ! I plan on continuing my education for the RN, right after graduation. I would have prioity due to the fact, I'll already be a LPN. I think I would also have better clinical experience.

I know of so many RN students who failed in their last year, and guess what they had to fall back on ? NOTHING.

If you want to gain experience while making money, try the LPN. If not the RN route is always great also.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

If being an RN is your goal, getting an LPN is a waste of time and money. The two types of nursing are not the same. You may need the CNA course as a requirement for nursing classes. With a CNA you could get work as a CNA and perhaps even get some tuition assistance. Consider applying to another RN program. Find other courses to take or slow down your taking of the pre-requisites so you get better grades. Consider getting an AA in another field while you are waiting.

hatingthewaiting · Jan 22, 2009

One option is to continue your education while you wait to get into an RN program (if there is a wait) There are schools out here where the wait is so long for a community college, that it would take just as long to complete a bachelors in the time it takes them just to get in off the waitlist at the community college. I'd recommend to continue taking classes that can be used towards a higher degree while you try to get into that program or even transfer to a 4 year college with a nursing program now if you can. If you get into the RN program later, those other classes can always be used towards higher education if you ever want to get your bachelors, then masters to become a NP, etc. The LPN will be helpful now, but obsolete once you complete your RN.

jbluehorseh · Jan 22, 2009

It sounds like you’re a hard worker, just look at the at the amount of classes your taking. That will take you far. Your young and have the rest of your life to work. Getting into an A.D.N. program is good, however; you should consider getting a bachelors degree if you do not get into the nursing program the first time. Now-a-days nursing jobs are harder to get into and having a bachelor’s degree makes your more valuable as a new graduate/employee compared others who do not have one. If getting into a program is more important to you at this time then consider applying to other A.D.N. programs in the state were you live. Check the state web sight under BON and it will have a list of schools. The other thing to consider is getting your CNA and work in a hospital. It will be a great help for you while going through nursing school. Best wishes on your journey

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

if you can afford to pay to attend a bsn program right now, go for it! on the other hand, if you are looking to become a nurse but do not want to pay an arm-and-a-leg to get a degree, try getting your lpn or adn first. yes, the job market is tight because the nursing shortage no longer includes new graduate nurses and many places will not hire new grads and/or have a hiring freeze. however, these are not reasons to take on a lot of debt.

if you want to be sure to be marketable in a hospital make sure you have a job in a hospital before you graduate. work as a tech (cna preferably) then become a nurse extern. that way when you graduate you are the first that they will hire as oppose to those who do not currently work in such positions.

as a new grad adn i paid cash for my degree and owe no money. i also am having my current employers pay for my rn-bsn program, so i will not have any loans to pay back for that either. there are a few programs my hospital offers to pay tuition; none of them pay for cost of living which is the majority of the loan amount an average traditional bsn or accelerated bsn student must pay back. i do not have to be concerned with cost of living because i am working as a new grad while attending a rn-bsn program online (i also worked 2 jobs part-time during the school year and full-time during the summers to get through my adn program). :up:

the decision to become a nurse is a personal one and the path you choose is personal too. do not let people frighten you into getting into a lot of debt. imagine being a new grad who cannot find a job and your student loans are coming due! never mind the amount of time it will take for you to pay them off once you find a job. gl! :twocents:

-employed new grad adn (rn-bsn in progress)

chicookie, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2009

Ok here is what I did. I did my prereqs right out of high school. Then I applied to the RN program 3 times. The first two times I didn't get in so in the mean time I finished my AA degree. I got in on the 3rd time. That 3rd time though I applied to everything else CN, LPN, RN, Surgical tech. Everything. I got into everything too. That is why at 21 I got my RN license. I suggest going for your dream of being an RN. That is what I did. I don't regret it at all.