All nurses! Please help... I need some advice!

203bravo, MSN, APRN · May 13, 2013

Watts is not a private school and will basically lead to an ADN -- a little confused about your statement that you are trying to become a nurse "quick".. there are no shortcuts to becoming a nurse.

Do you already have a BS? most of the accelerated programs require a BS in another field in order to be considered into their program. If you don't already have any higher education background then an 18 month program start to finish seems very quick, so do your due diligence checking their accreditation NCLEX pass rate, retention rate, cost, financial aid, speak with current students about satisfaction with the program, etc. then make the best decision for you and your goals.

Fireman767 · May 13, 2013

If you have no hands on experience you may want to consider a slower route to RN. if you just want to be a nurse as fast as possible, id suggest the LPN track, it will get you started asa nurse, and you can bridge to an ADN later to be an RN. But as the previous poster mentioned, there are no short cuts, no easy way to just be a nurse.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · May 13, 2013

I've read some of your posts, and they seem to be ALL over the map....running 90 miles an hour in no particular direction.

Are you in school now, and if so, what classes are you taking? What is your current level of education/degree? How much $$ do you have to fork over to gain admission to a for-profit school (that might get you in earlier) versus a more wallet-friendly one?

There is no quick, there is no easy. You are asking about LPN and RN....have you looked into the scope of practice in the State in which you live, to see which might appeal to you more? Or looked into what places are hiring what level of nurse? For instance, in my area of the country, LPNs are not hired into any of the hospitals. A few remain, but no new hires, only RNs. BSN-prepared is not required, but sometimes preferred. I know in other geographic areas, you must be BSN in order to even be considered for hospital work.

Nursing homes in my area use many LPNs, few RNs. Rarely does one find an RN in a medical office (the days of "the doctor office nurse" are mostly gone). But there are LPNs there; depending on the area, though, might just be a MA.

What do you want to do? What areas of nursing interest you (it will change, most likely, but what interests you NOW?). What is the most likely place(s) you will be finding employment? Seems to me you might want to consider that before choosing which nursing license to pursue, and at which school.

Tinker88 · May 13, 2013

Most people have no experience prior to nursing school...that's why we all go to school...to be educated:) So do not worry about experience because it will come when you are in the program. You need to focus on what the others have posted.

Do you have another bachelor's degree?

If yes, investing in a BSN route (accelerated or regular) makes more sense and would be ABOUT the same length or shorter than an associates degree. For example, the program I start this summer is a 15 month BSN and the ADN in town is about the same length. If you can get a BSN in the same about as a ADN...I would shoot for the BSN. This way you won't have to take a RN-BSN route later. BUT it may will cost more.

If you do NOT have a BS degree, BUT have completed MOST general college course work needed for nursing school, like the prerequisites, then you may still consider a BSN (accelerated or regular).

I am personally going the BSN route in an accelerated program because I already have a bachelor's degree. I will only have to complete the nursing courses because I already have completed the general courses.

Really think it over.

Make a list of pros and cons for the LPN, ADN, and BSN programs that interest you. That's what I did and I came to the conclusion that a BSN suited me the best.

confusedNur · May 14, 2013

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR UR RESPONSE.

@Tinker88 ! Thank you so much, I dont have a BS, I only have an associate degree in Administration. And i dont have any prereg classes yet.

eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA · May 14, 2013

@ OP.... I feel you, wanting to get your degree finished quickly, I'm the same way... but with no prior experience, I would just ask you to think things through...

1. WHY do you want to be a nurse? For the money? To help people? Do you know anyone who is a nurse? Elaborate a little bit, pls.

2. Are you comfortable with all the aspects that come along with being a nurse? Smelling poop, seeing poop, cleaning up poop, poop mixed with pee mixed with blood mixed with mucus? Yes, it's gross, but you'll be seeing it all if you decide to be a nurse.

3. As above poster stated, how much money do you have to spend on a for-profit education?

From what you've said about wanting to get it done quickly, I would say start with LPN. As another poster stated, do some research in your area (who is hiring what, where, when... what's the SOP in your state? Have you looked at your state's BON?)... When I first started nursing school, to be a CNA, tons of the girls wanted to go on to be RNs... 1/2 way through the 6 month program, while doing clinicals, most of them (about 8 or so) dropped the program because they couldn't handle dealing with the people, or the stress, or the bowels, or the urine, or the patients in general.

Just think about why you want to do this, and make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.... It's not all glitz and glamor, as one AN poster likes to say.

Best of luck!

confusedNur · May 14, 2013

@ KSKagga126. I have always been wanting to work in the health care. I have been a patient who in and out of clinics, hospital for past coupke years. I admire everyone who works in the health care field. Without nurses, dr's, med assisting, cna...there will be no cure for patients. It does not matter what level of nurses... Everyone to be is equal and the same. Because everyone who works in the healthcare are all likely to put patients as their priority. To me, it is teamwork. Reguardless of what position. Within work environment, it is all comes down to respecting each other. And dealing with patients... Even if it has to come down with cleaning poops, wipe butts... It mudt be done for the patient bc we are their nurse. Just imagine if our parents or one of us will be on that bed waiting for help one day...

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · May 14, 2013

The requirements for a school to be accredited prohibit a BSN program to be completed from no general ed and pre-reqs to graduation in less than 3-4 yrs. Accelerated programs can be 15- 18 months because the school accepts the student's previous BS to satisfy the general education requirements. I would look at that program again. I am sure it is an accelerated 2nd degree BSN.

confusedNur · May 14, 2013

Hi Don1984! Thanks for ur feed back. I did look into it. In fact, igot the information from a friend who attended Touro University and i called them myself. All i would need is to the preregs that requires and apply into Touro for my BsN. BSN will take 16 months to complete. I dont need a BS from diff major. I just registered for this summer at Wake Tech to start the prereg.