Does this bother you?

epiphany · Jul 31, 2006

I read an article in the local paper about a proposal from a prospective governor to create a five-year high school plan in which a student could graduate from high school in five years with an associate degree. In the article it made mention of how nursing could "lend itself" to the five year program, and that being an RN is great if you want to work.

This is guy is dingbat for more than one reason. He is unaware of what entails a nursing education, and that the program has to meet the criteria of the credentialling body. Who is going to help him squeeze a nursing degree and a high school program together in five years and where are they going to find students motivated and smart enough to do that but not willing chose the path to college?

I would like to see him try just for entertainment.

CyndieRN2007 · Jul 31, 2006

I vote no.
LPN yes, but RN, no. Even with an Associates, too many of us are coming out of school with too little preparation for "real world nursing."
Imagine the devastating effect that nursing's "firsts" would have: there you are, dealing with growing up to leave Mom and Dad, and you have your first patient death? Med error?
Not something I'd want my 17-year-old to be dealing with.

I agree. I wouldnt want my 17 year old to have to deal with the many responsibilities an RN has. Many kids are very, very intelligent. No doubt that many 17 or 18 year olds could get through an Adn program and pass, as well as the boards. However, working as an RN is completely different. I dont think I could have handled it when I was 17, and I was a very level headed, "head in the books" teenager.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

My mother became an LPN at 19. She was right out of high school. I became an LPN at 23. I still get strange looks when I interview. 'You're awfully young!' I don't think high school grads are emotionally equipped to be ANY type nurse, LPN or RN. It seems some people on this board underestimate the responsibilities of the LPN as well- but I digress. I think CNA or Medical Assisting is just as good an opportunity and would make a great stepping stone into the medical community. Being that the grads are still young they would have plenty of time to continue their education. The stress of the NCLEX is overwhelming alone- but when you have a patient's life in your hands...that is something else completely. In all honesty, it wasn't until I was out of orientation on my first job that I fully comprehended how SERIOUS my job really was...

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 31, 2006

At the JC I just graduated from, they started a high school. I did not have any in my classes but they were around campus and they were all noisy; you aways knew when a class was getting out. They graduate high school with an associates degree and a high school diploma. However, I do not think we need to worry about them taking out nursing seats because at my school (and I believe the whole state of California) you have to be 18 to apply to the nursing program; and most high school students are barley 18 when they graduate.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Jul 31, 2006

I think that it is a HORRIBLE idea. Mabey make it that you can START your pre-requs with courses you took in highschool.

Forinstance I just graduated from highschool in May my senior year I took psych. the teacher said it was the same stuff we would learn in collge. mabey let me out of the psych pre-requ requirement and if i had taken calc out of that requirment but not get my RN

I mean i am not ready to be incharge of another persons life yet. I am concentrating on growing up well and being responcible for myself.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I read this too this morning and couldn't believe it!! I'm not sure where he's getting his facts or ideas. I wonder where he thinks 18-year-old nurses will be able to get jobs too? And WHO in the world does he think will be teaching these classes? And does he wonder why the nurses currently employed in his state all went to college for 3-5 years AFTER highschool?

I agree that the prereqs for the nursing program, could be started in highschool though.

firstyearstudent · Jul 31, 2006

It doesn't bother me because it doesn't seem feasible. It's just someone talking off the top of their head, if you ask me.

fla orange · Jul 31, 2006

Hey guys, As I stated before I graduated from HS and vocational school at the same time, passed stated board the first time and have been working as a lpn , went back to school to become a Rn. Its doable. When I graduate from school I was 18. When the program begun, it was a total of 60 teens in there both girls and boys. The second year only 22 people were in the class. By the end of the program only 6 of us graduate. This program is offered in 2 places in Miami dade. Homestead Sr. High and Edison Sr. High. I graduated from Homestead and the last time I checked its still going strong. This was a great program for me and the group that I graduated with, all of us have gone on to get higher degrees. The average high schooler might not be ready for a program of this magnitude but some one who is intrested in nursing and willing to work hard for it will do great. All I saying is I did it and no I'm no braniac, but I belive in studying hard, working hard and the power of prayer.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

Hey guys, As I stated before I graduated from HS and vocational school at the same time, passed stated board the first time and have been working as a lpn , went back to school to become a Rn. Its doable. When I graduate from school I was 18.

Well, I hope you don't take offense, but that's LPN, not RN. Most comments I've read have less of an issue with an LPN program, particularly since that's the only legal nursing you can do at 17 (the age of most graduates). It was not an ADN. The requirements for an RN simply would not be fulfilled adequately, to meet state and national licensure acceptability, through a program such as this Governor described. He was talking about RN education and licensure, something he clearly knows zilch about. It isn't a vocational program, and I'd have no confidence in putting taxpayer resources into such an ill-fated venture.

When the program begun, it was a total of 60 teens in there both girls and boys. The second year only 22 people were in the class. By the end of the program only 6 of us graduate.

This is precisely why it wouldn't work for an RN. In an LPN program, the class dwindled from 60 to 6! I also think they'd be hard-pressed to find any hospital administrators willing to allow a 16 year old to deliver narcotics via IV push in a clinical setting. At this age, they're still legally children, for goodness' sake!

I'm really glad that you succeeded in a similar, LPN / high school combo program. It isn't something I can see happening everywhere, to be honest, but I'm glad you had the opportunity and achieved :)

smoo · Jul 31, 2006

I myself don't think it's a good idea for LPN either. I mean it depends on where you get a job at, but LPN's in nursing homes are charge nurses and run the halls, especially at noc, which is where most newbies hire in at. Can you imagine a facility being run by high school kids all noc long?? Often times at noc there isn't an RN in the facility, our ADON's are all LPN's, and if they have a noc off..................As I said before, yes some high schoolers could do it and in all honesty prob better than some 30 year olds, but the majority just aren't that goal orientated at that age, nor should they have to be.

Smoo

arelius · Jul 31, 2006

It just sounds funny. Saving lives and giving medications (sometimes narcs) but you still have 2 or 3 years left before you can legally drink.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

It doesn't bother me because it doesn't seem feasible. It's just someone talking off the top of their head, if you ask me.

Agree ... ain't gonna fly.