Confused about how to become a nurse

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Aug 5, 2004

You have to graduate from an accredited nursing program, which makes you eligible to sit for the licensure exam. Passing the NCLEX-RN is what makes you an RN (not the academic program, but you are ineligible to test until you complete the program).

It's not necessary to have any kind of experience to become an RN. If you want to become a CNA, call your local Red Cross office (or the human resources office at a hospital). These are the 2 most likely places to know about CNA programs, but in most states it is not necessary to go through that step (although I understand some states are beginning to require CNA experience).

Good luck

angelymick · Aug 5, 2004

You have to graduate from an accredited nursing program, which makes you eligible to sit for the licensure exam. Passing the NCLEX-RN is what makes you an RN (not the academic program, but you are ineligible to test until you complete the program).
It's not necessary to have any kind of experience to become an RN. If you want to become a CNA, call your local Red Cross office (or the human resources office at a hospital). These are the 2 most likely places to know about CNA programs, but in most states it is not necessary to go through that step (although I understand some states are beginning to require CNA experience).
Good luck

I will be entering an LPN program September 2,. I had to take a preadmission test. I will be attending a vocational school that has an LPN program although you can go through local colleges too. good luck

ZinnianWolf · Aug 7, 2004

I am in the LPN program and will be finished in june (yippee!), but I think anything nursing higher than LPN you need to take prerequisites for. I am not sure of what all of the classes are that are required, but I think english, math, biology, microbiology, chemistry, and some other classes. I have a couple of friends who went through taking the prerequisites and it took them an average of 2-3 yrs to finish before they actually started the nursing program. I wish you all the luck in the world :-)

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2004

You can search the net or call your local colleges to see what kind of nursing programs are offered and what the requirements may be. If you are interested in becoming a CNA you can call local tech schools or local hospitals and see if they offer programs. Since you have so little experience thus far, you may want to become a CNA to get a feel for what nurses actually do. It will help clarify your goals and give you good experience if you do decide to become a nurse. You can NOT have too much patient care experience in my opinion, it will only make school easier for you. Good luck

val&corey · Aug 11, 2004

Thank you all for your help. I have decided to get my CNA through the junior college I am attending right now and then working at the hospital. All your advice really helped me in deciding what I should do!

Thanks Again,

Valerie