Does this bother you?

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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. For some reason when I read that it really bothered me, and I don't understand why. I don't want to say that it cheapens the title of RN (the proposal was for RN, not LPN), but if this is something one can graduate from high school with, it seems like it would cause our profession to be looked down upon even more so. It just makes me think about all of the people who struggle to get in an RN program at the CC or university explaining to others how competitive it is to be accepted in a program (and how challenging nursing can be), just to have them open one up at a local high school. To top things off the only profession they mentioned was nursing, they made no mention of other associate degree programs being "added" to high school curriculum. Is it unreasonable to feel this way? Am I making a big deal about nothing? I can definitely see the benefits of this type of program, but somehow it seems to take away from "something" (can't put my finger on it).

I actually wish that sort of program was available when I was in school. I could have possibly been in CRNA School by age 21 (with ICU experience and everything). It would have been great to graduate at 18 or 19 and start out making 30-40,000 a year. Maybe I'm just jealous. :)

Yes, it bothers me a lot... I tested out of any English or Math, took a 5 week Statistics class over the summer, & CLEP'ed some other courses, but without the life experience I had, I Never would've made a good RN at 18! It took 2 years of killer work for RN & 2 more of (night!) work with part-time college for BSN, but I Sure Don't want to do it again!

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European countries already do this type of real preparation of students for good jobs in high school. We are sorely lacking in the U.S. and young people are so far behind upon graduation as we waste good years the way we educate now.

this is very true - we used to take in foreign exchange students on a yearly program- within the first month they were so bored being in the same age class and flying way beyond our kids that they'd pop them into sr status just because they were so far advanced ( they came as freshmen and sophmores mostly )- however lol - having kept in contact with many of these kids - now adults - though they are glad they had the experience here, they freely admit they got lazy and unproductive ( their words not mine) by the end of the yr and had much adjusting to their true lifestyle once back home lol. its amazing the differences in cultures .

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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.

it does sound funny - not much difference with that statement then our young men who have to sign the draft cards and the young men and women who voluntarily sign up to protect our country and help other countries - before my son went off to war i told him ( he was 18) if ya want to drink a few ill buy - illegal or not - he declined but my view was if he was willing and allowed to die for our country why not have a beer. my mom used to talk of beer bars- if you were 18 you went there - 21 for for hard stuff - dont know if its true but sounds good to me lol.

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I have to admit I can see both sides of the story, I just turned 18 two weeks ago am half way through the LPN program and am a CNA working two jobs. I love nursing, every aspect of it. I just recently was hired at a local hospital for a flex time CNA position and I'm SO excited but one thing I am nervous about is that with me being so young that I'll be shunned from other staff members. That really isn't fair, yes many teenagers are irresponsible and hell raisers but some of us can be just as caring and deliver just as good of patient care as older nurses/nursing assistants.

kudos to you and pat yourself on the back - i am proud of you - yes there are some hell raisers but i agree that many are like you and should be given the chance to prove themselves - after all - i know many older ones who shouldn't be in nursing either!!! you will do fine - keep your head held high and know you do have supporters :) hugs.

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It's a big insult to LPNs too. While I have advanced education in a field other than nursing,I do recall that LPN program being difficult. I don't feel that teenagers are mature enough to endure ANY nursing program; by and large they need a couple of years' prerequisites and time to "grow up" before tackling nursing.

sometimes i think we dont give our kids enough credit - go back to the example of European kids- they are quite mature, advanced and turn out to be very productive citizens at a young age and many become quit rich because of it - it shows that "kids" can do it - perhaps its a mindset that we could change if we wanted - i know id be quite proud if kids i knew grew up "early" and instead of dallying around made their selves a good living young enough so they can truly enjoy an good Young retirement. just a thought

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Bah! I think this prospective governor is ignorant to the amount of responsibility that nursing carries. I'm not overly concerned that this type of program will ever be developed because many universities want to expand their RN programs, but can't because there are not enough RN instructors. Where would the instructors come from for these high school programs?

Yes, a program like this would bother me very much especially since just a few weeks ago my DD was the victim of nursing malpractice and negligence. One of the nurses involved has only been out of school 6 months. It is a long story and I won't get into all the details, but my DD went into septic shock and the new grad nurse insisted she was fine and had gas. A nurse interpreting the signs and symptoms of shock as gas pain is pathetic.

sadly i have seen nurses of many yrs "knowledge " and "experience" as well as younger though out of school for a while make big mistakes too - as for the new grad nurse - where was her preceptor - we go back to the conversation of the facilities hanging these new grads out to dry when it comes to their experiences and that isn't fair either to blame it on a new grad just cause she was - could have been any age and experience do it. nothing to do with maturity all to do with knowledge and mostly in my book experience which is awful hard to get experience other than learning the hard way ( as in mistakes unfortunately ) because facilities dont or wont give them the time of day to learn. my opinion only here.

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Specializes in Physicians office, PICU.

You even have to be 18 to work at Menards!!

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

Re: European kids being smarter and more driven: here in the US, education is free and often taken for granted. However, you can always go back to college. Over in Europe, school is much more competitive. In Germany (according to an exchange student friend), you take an exam at age 12 that determines if you will be able to attend university. At 8th grade, education splits off into different curriculia depending on what education will be given to you. Those who do not keep up will drown. In the USA, it's well known that you can always go back to school. Yes, I admit that teen life is much more laid back in the USA, but kids seem to find responsibility eventually.

Also, last but not least: PEOPLE WHO COME OVER HERE ARE THE ONES SMART ENOUGH TO COME OVER HERE. We're mostly seeing the higher end of the bell curves. There are plenty of Europeans leeching off the welfare systems, we just don't see them over here in the USA. Assuming the Europeans are more mature and smarter than Americans is racial profiling and prejudice. Although I am smart and have done well in school, I always despised teachers who saw my Asian heritage and would extoll the Japanese as being "Honest, smart, hardworking people." Nowadays, I simply find myself retorting. "Yeah, Asians tend to be smart just like blacks tend to be welfare leeches and Mexicans tend to be lazy." It does sound offensive, but I wish people would realize that such prejudices are racist, even if in a positive light.

Also, why is it that a kid who gets into med school before his/her 18th bday is a genius, but a kid who gets a nursing degree at a similar age is seen as a good idea? Things like this make me feel sooooo devalued.

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