CNA to BSN

GlitterFaerie · Oct 11, 2014

It's more like I was forced to, my school began pressuring us for career choices in 6th grade. I have been getting hounded constantly ever since then, all students have. Trust me, being 'prepared' this far is definitely against my will. My school shuns you and pressures you until you choose a job that requires college, I used to want to be a beautician and they hated that so much, they pulled me down to guidance once to talk about how I should be choosing a better career. The school is too proud of the percentages of students who go to college right after leaving this place.

caliotter3 · Oct 11, 2014

If you are not allowed to move into a college prep track while still in high school, then you should look into taking a college class in the evening or on the weekend (some colleges have Saturday courses) when you turn 16 (the younger one is, the more signature/cooperation is required on the part of the high school). Your high school is doing you a disservice by forcing you into a lifelong career limiting high school experience when the rest of the world pushes college prep. My high school pushed college prep 50 years ago, so I don't understand the thought processes in action here. Even if you manage to take only one college course before you graduate, you will be that much closer to your ultimate goal.

caliotter3 · Oct 11, 2014

Just exactly what is stopping you from enrolling in, for example's sake, say, chemistry, algebra II, Spanish, AP English, etc. next year or next semester, instead of the vocational track? If your school refuses to accommodate your wishes, then have you considered talking to your parents about transferring you to a high school that is willing to do a better job of preparing you for college? If you don't get on track now with college prep courses, then you will be behind the eight ball in community college and won't even be able to attend a four year college or university. They all have specific college prep requirements and we're telling you that a year-long CNA course is not included in those requirements.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

It sounds like the insidious tracking system has returned to some schools after many years of watchdog groups battling to get rid of it.

When I attended high school in the late 1990s, three tracks existed. The standard track was for students who weren't college bound or weren't considered college material by their guidance counselors. These students were often placed in a career training course during their junior or senior year of high school. The 'careers' included nurse aide (CNA), computer office clerk, dental assistant, health professions, childcare assistant, food service, and so forth.

The college prep track was for students who were expected to attend a community college, regional state university or private liberal arts college immediately after graduating high school. I was placed in this track.

The honors/AP track was reserved for the most academically gifted students who were expected to attend prestigious private universities and highly competitive flagship state universities. These students typically applied to institutions such as Duke, UCLA, Stanford, Princeton, Cornell and Columbia.

Any high school student who aspires to be a nurse should be placed on a college prep track, at the very least, to be enrolled in science courses such as biology and chemistry.

GlitterFaerie · Oct 11, 2014

Oh, no! I'm taking this vocational track by choice, I was just commenting on how pressuring my school is and how annoying they can be when it comes to college. Algebra is my weakness, sadly. I'm working on learning 'nursing math' (ex. dosage calculations) independently as I work on my Algebra. My school has 7 periods a day, I go to the vocational school for three periods. I have health, literature, world cultures, and algebra, my science was taken away to fit my schedule. I don't exactly mind that considering I have always done outstanding in my sciences, hopefully they can rig the system so I can skip a class like physics and go to Biology 2. I have no idea how to dual enroll with my school schedule as messed up as it is. The school I want to go to be an RN doesn't have all those requirements as impossible as it sounds, that's why I'm not so worried about being in AP classes. I'm mainly doing this CNA course because, well, wouldn't it be nice to making a little more than minimum wage right out of high school and have a job you love and learn from while in college/school? I'm getting way more than registration, if that was the only thing I would get from this program I probably wouldn't have joined.

I really don't want anyone here to talk me out of this. The original question was would this course take any time off of college? I got a no from everyone, and that's fine. I mess up my future, so be it. My instructor sees no issue with my path.

GlitterFaerie · Oct 11, 2014

And when I typed this I meant being forced to plant too far ahead.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2014

iThe original question was would this course take any time off of college? I got a no from everyone, and that's fine. I mess up my future, so be it. My instructor sees no issue with my path.

Not only will the course NOT take any time off college, it will possibly add a couple more years to the time time be you'll be spending in college.

GlitterFaerie · Oct 11, 2014

I'm going to technical school.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 11, 2014

I am concerned that you are not looking into the financial aid options. There is lots of financial aid out there that does NOT consist of loans that you have to pay back. For students with true financial need, many schools offer discounts in tuition and grants that do not have to be paid back. In fact, some of the most expensive schools offer the most aid to economically disadvantaged students. 4-year colleges and universities usually offer the most of this type. Vocational school and community colleges usually have the least -- and student there have to rely mostly on loans.

Please do some research (talk to your guidance counselors and to the financial aid offices of any 4-year colleges) that might interest you. When the time comes, fill out the forms and see what they offer you before you rule out 4-year BSN's. With a good financial aid package, they might be cheaper and easier in the long run.

GlitterFaerie · Oct 11, 2014

I'll let you know 3 years from now

caliotter3 · Oct 11, 2014

Your last post about your courses makes it sound better. You are right to be concerned about your algebra. Your community college does not sound like most according to what you have said. In most community colleges, when you start out, you will take a placement exam for math and a placement exam for English. An individual can take four years of AP English in high school, achieve A's in those courses (but not take, or pass with a high enough score the AP exam), and not place high enough in their placement exam; be forced to take remedial English courses in college, and vice versa. You can score low in the math placement exam for college, then be required to take an arithmetic (yes, one local school offers that!) or pre-algebra course in college. The problem with these required remedial courses is that they add time to your college years. No matter what you achieved in high school, you are placed with these scores, so just something else to consider. In comparison to what you have said you are taking, (which does not sound so bad now), I took 7 classes a day in high school, except for PE, all were college prep (there was no AP that far back in antiquity). I went to adult school at night to take a CNA course. It was not even offered in day high school.

You are right to focus on your math at this time. If you want to start college courses on your own, that is up to you. It can only help. Good luck.

GlitterFaerie · Oct 12, 2014

Still said, I'm not going to college. 21 month RN program is fine with me. :)