Confused about some things...

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Iam a High School Honors Student, about to graduate.. I know I want to become a nurse, but there are different types.. I've done some research, but the research takes me in so many other direction. Everyone in my family went to school for Math, Science, and Technology, so they really cant answer these questions for me. I'm writing this Thread so I can get some help about nursing from the one's who are currently pursuing Nursing as a career.

  1. Which is better a Community/Jr. College or University?
  2. What is the different in having a BSN and being just a regular RN

  1. To be a baby nurse, how long will I have to stay in a College?
  2. Im in the Dallas area, which College/University/J.C would you recommend?
  3. Is a online degree good when I am applying for jobs?
  4. As a student, was it really as difficult as people make it seem?
  5. Was it hard finding a job once you graduate?
  6. We're you able to have a job, go to school, and make good grade?

Thank you for your help and time .

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

  1. which is better a community/jr. college or university? if you would like to save money, take your prereqs at the community college and then apply to both adn and bsn programs. these days the bsn is the most marketable.
  2. what is the different in having a bsn and being just a regular rn no real difference, except more opportunities for managerial positions, master's programs in nursing, and more job opportunities (especially in bigger cities). some hospitals might pay a little more (but not much)

  1. to be a baby nurse, how long will i have to stay in a college? just complete nursing school and when you finish you can have a chance at working with the patient population of your choice.
  2. im in the dallas area, which college/university/j.c would you recommend? i'm in houston unfortunately so i'm not too sure of schools in that area. but competition is fierce so apply everywhere!
  3. is a online degree good when i am applying for jobs? it doesn't really matter where you get your degree. as long as you pass your nclex and get your license, you should'nt be barred employment due to where you studied.
  4. as a student, was it really as difficult as people make it seem? it's all subjective. some say it's the hardest thing in their life and some think it was a piece of cake. i would advise you to expect it to be tough and study hard... don't let other things and people distract you. be on your a game from the start!
  5. was it hard finding a job once you graduate? i will be graduating in 3 weeks. i worked as a nurse tech in a hospital already so i should continue to work with them. but it's tough finding jobs for new grads these days! my suggestion: get a side job as a cna or nurse tech, unit secretary, whatever in a hospital... get to know the managers on the floor! so when you do finish, you will have a much better shot at getting hired.
  6. we're you able to have a job, go to school, and make good grade? i worked through 80% of nursing school. it was tough (due to less time to study) but i still made great grades (wasn't as, but high bs...as are rare in our program). but it's doable but you have to be focused! failure just wasn't an option for me.

good luck on your journey!!!

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Iam a High School Honors Student, about to graduate.. I know I want to become a nurse, but there are different types.. I've done some research, but the research takes me in so many other direction. Everyone in my family went to school for Math, Science, and Technology, so they really cant answer these questions for me. I'm writing this Thread so I can get some help about nursing from the one's who are currently pursuing Nursing as a career.

  1. Which is better a Community/Jr. College or University?
  2. What is the different in having a BSN and being just a regular RN

  1. To be a baby nurse, how long will I have to stay in a College?
  2. Im in the Dallas area, which College/University/J.C would you recommend?
  3. Is a online degree good when I am applying for jobs?
  4. As a student, was it really as difficult as people make it seem?
  5. Was it hard finding a job once you graduate?
  6. We're you able to have a job, go to school, and make good grade?

Thank you for your help and time .

I suggest you go straight for your BSN at the best university you can get into if this is truly what you want to do but be prepared to travel after you graduate because the job market is pretty poor although I believe it will turn around in the near future. As a BSN any specialty will be available to you. You should look for work as a nursing assistant when you graduate high school in either a hospital or a nursing home. This will give you great insight into the profession and maybe even tuition assistance. It is demanding-you'll get back exactly the amount of effort you put into your program. You can go to school part time or full time and work-that's up to you. Search this site for more info on the BSN debate,on- line degrees and the current job market.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
  1. which is better a community/jr. college or university? if you would like to save money, take your prereqs at the community college and then apply to both adn and bsn programs. these days the bsn is the most marketable.
  2. what is the different in having a bsn and being just a regular rn no real difference, except more opportunities for managerial positions, master's programs in nursing, and more job opportunities (especially in bigger cities). some hospitals might pay a little more (but not much)

  1. to be a baby nurse, how long will i have to stay in a college? just complete nursing school and when you finish you can have a chance at working with the patient population of your choice.
  2. im in the dallas area, which college/university/j.c would you recommend? i'm in houston unfortunately so i'm not too sure of schools in that area. but competition is fierce so apply everywhere!
  3. is a online degree good when i am applying for jobs? it doesn't really matter where you get your degree. as long as you pass your nclex and get your license, you should'nt be barred employment due to where you studied.
  4. as a student, was it really as difficult as people make it seem? it's all subjective. some say it's the hardest thing in their life and some think it was a piece of cake. i would advise you to expect it to be tough and study hard... don't let other things and people distract you. be on your a game from the start!
  5. was it hard finding a job once you graduate? i will be graduating in 3 weeks. i worked as a nurse tech in a hospital already so i should continue to work with them. but it's tough finding jobs for new grads these days! my suggestion: get a side job as a cna or nurse tech, unit secretary, whatever in a hospital... get to know the managers on the floor! so when you do finish, you will have a much better shot at getting hired.
  6. we're you able to have a job, go to school, and make good grade? i worked through 80% of nursing school. it was tough (due to less time to study) but i still made great grades (wasn't as, but high bs...as are rare in our program). but it's doable but you have to be focused! failure just wasn't an option for me.

good luck on your journey!!!

thank you for your help; also i have another question for you..

when i asked, "which is better a community/jr. college or university?"

you replied by saying, "if you would like to save money, take your prereqs at the community college and then apply to both adn and bsn programs. these days the bsn is the most marketable.."

my mother is in the army, and im going to use her g.i.bill. so now since money isn't a problem, would you go straight to a university or still go to a cc and transfer?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Why post 2 times asking essentially the same question?

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

Well, if money is no issue, definately go straight to the University! I was a transfer due to financial issues. But if I had a chance to go straight, I would have. Just don't get too carried away by the college party life and distractions....You really have to make the BEST grades! (Party after your tests :D) By the way You can only get a BSN degree from a University.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I suggest you go straight for your BSN at the best university you can get into if this is truly what you want to do but be prepared to travel after you graduate because the job market is pretty poor although I believe it will turn around in the near future. As a BSN any specialty will be available to you. You should look for work as a nursing assistant when you graduate high school in either a hospital or a nursing home. This will give you great insight into the profession and maybe even tuition assistance. It is demanding-you'll get back exactly the amount of effort you put into your program. You can go to school part time or full time and work-that's up to you. Search this site for more info on the BSN debate,on- line degrees and the current job market.

Thank you for the help, and the website..Im an early-grad, which means I havent turned 18 yet..when looking for nursing assistance positions will 18 be required? Also, will I have to be in school to work as a nursing assistance?

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Why post 2 times asking essentially the same question?

It was an accident..I didn't know whether or not my internet connection failed on the first post..so I reposted my question..

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Well, if money is no issue, definately go straight to the University! I was a transfer due to financial issues. But if I had a chance to go straight, I would have. Just don't get too carried away by the college party life and distractions....You really have to make the BEST grades! (Party after your tests :D) By the way You can only get a BSN degree from a University.

Thanks for the help, and Ill have the rest of my life to party..after school!!

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

I THINK you have to be 18... but don't quote me on that. Maybe you can volunteer at a hospital until you turn 18, perhaps? And for CNA positions you don't have to be in school to work. But depending on the hospital, some Nurse Tech positions require you to be a nursing student.

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I THINK you have to be 18... but don't quote me on that. Maybe you can volunteer at a hospital until you turn 18, perhaps? And for CNA positions you don't have to be in school to work. But depending on the hospital, some Nurse Tech positions require you to be a nursing student.

Thanks, Ill finish doing my research on those ideas..

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Specializes in SNF/ ER tech.

As far as not being 18 i took and became a CNA when i was 17, altough this was a few years back i know in WA state you can do the training at 17 but most places wont hire you unless your 18! Id say shop some nursing homes in your area for housekeeping, dietary aide positions, then express interest in becoming a CNA and most places will help you with the training part as CNAs are hard to find! (:

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