challenge examination for becoming a registered nurse?

Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2015

Medical technology as in laboratory science some offer specialization in microbiology, blood banking, histology, cytology or pathology.

Oh, ok. :)

KYWOMAN58 · Jun 29, 2015

I think my post may have offended many, which is not what I intended. One of the reasons I was asking was, nurses at Arkansas Children's Hospital encouraged me to find out if there was a way to shorten the amount of time to become a RN. My son lived in ACH and these nurses came to know me well. Because of my family's medical condition, I have learned many, many aspects of nursing. Again, I did not mean to offend anyone. That was not the purpose of my post.

KYWOMAN58 · Jun 29, 2015

BS degree in medical technology. Normally, three years are spent at the university. Classes in biology and chemistry. The last 12 months is spent at a hospital that has an agreement with the university. After completing your BS degree you are able to sit for a national exam. I am licensed as a MT(ASCP). The problem arises because medical laboratory technicians sound so similar to a medical technologist. A MLT has an associate degree. I hope I was able to help make things clearer.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 29, 2015

I think my post may have offended many, which is not what I intended. One of the reasons I was asking was, nurses at Arkansas Children's Hospital encouraged me to find out if there was a way to shorten the amount of time to become a RN. My son lived in ACH and these nurses came to know me well. Because of my family's medical condition, I have learned many, many aspects of nursing. Again, I did not mean to offend anyone. That was not the purpose of my post.

The quickest way (not cheap) would be an ABSN accelerated bachelor of science in nursing often 12-18 months. Aside from psychology, developmental psychology&sociology Id bet you have most of the pre-reqs such as A&P, microbiology, statistics, literature, composition, (you may even have all pre-request done)

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

Due Nursing Clinical time, and different knowledge base required, while you may receive credit for many previous courses but not for the nursing curriculum. Most states require clinical and theory taken together, and schools generally have one level of nursing following another. Take heart, MDs from other nation come to the US and often decide to become nurses, d/t difficult in transfer the medical credentials. They end up having to go through nursing school and clinicals, just like the rest of us.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

I would think any nurse with a license would KNOW that that is not a possibility---I mean they all had to have a degree before sitting for the exam. That was just an all around bad suggestion on their part =(

I think my post may have offended many, which is not what I intended. One of the reasons I was asking was, nurses at Arkansas Children's Hospital encouraged me to find out if there was a way to shorten the amount of time to become a RN. My son lived in ACH and these nurses came to know me well. Because of my family's medical condition, I have learned many, many aspects of nursing. Again, I did not mean to offend anyone. That was not the purpose of my post.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

I think my post may have offended many, which is not what I intended. One of the reasons I was asking was, nurses at Arkansas Children's Hospital encouraged me to find out if there was a way to shorten the amount of time to become a RN. My son lived in ACH and these nurses came to know me well. Because of my family's medical condition, I have learned many, many aspects of nursing. Again, I did not mean to offend anyone. That was not the purpose of my post.

Well, you can't know what you don't know. Once you begin your nursing education, you will find that while your previous experiences/education may enhance your educational experience, they are not a substitute for the formal nursing education.

You have yet to be exposed to the many other areas of nursing that are a part of a nursing curriculum, and you will understand as you go along that in spite of the many things you learned as a result of your son's illness, you still have very much more to learn.

Good luck to you.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2015

OP, it sounds like you are truly interested in nursing, and you have a great background that will assist you in getting through a program. Find a program that will work for you, and go for it! Depending on your situation and the fact that you already have a bachelor's, it may be difficult to get student loans. You may want to compare the costs for ADN vs BSN, and decide from there. Also be prepared to budget to pay for school, and don't be afraid to work towards your goal.

It may take some time, it will be a difficult program, but given that you've already been through college once, you can do it. Best of luck!

BlackBettyRN,OCN · Jun 30, 2015

BS degree in medical technology. Normally, three years are spent at the university. Classes in biology and chemistry. The last 12 months is spent at a hospital that has an agreement with the university. After completing your BS degree you are able to sit for a national exam. I am licensed as a MT(ASCP). The problem arises because medical laboratory technicians sound so similar to a medical technologist. A MLT has an associate degree. I hope I was able to help make things clearer.

Here's another thought. At least in my state, Medical Technologists are required to take high level biology and chemistry courses. You may have all of the prerequisite courses completed for PA school. Obviously, the role is different, but the pay is better, and you could complete it in about the same amount of time.

direw0lf, BSN · Jun 30, 2015

I thought like bucky...seems nurses and op should know. I looked into a med technology degree (with Rutgers) and it's mainly all chemistry.

Edit - op your knowledge will help. Let us know what you'll do?