Advice for a prospective Nursing Student

DatMurse · Dec 9, 2013

Hello
I am 17, still in High School and I am starting to do the Prerequisites for the RN program at my nearby community college.
I am sort of confused as to which way is the best to go about getting my RN. Some people have told me to first get my CNA, then LPN, then RN so I can start working and get experience while also going to school.
I am not wanting to be a Nurse for a "career"or to make a bunch of money. I have had this ambition for a long time, not to move up the perverbial corporate ladder, but to be able to have the skills and know-how to help people in need of medical help. But I also know I can't through Nursing school without working somewhere so maybe doing it the step by step way will help with that...
So my question is: for me as a young girl should I just try and get a random job somewhere and go strait for the RN program and get it overwith, or should I do the CNA, then the LPN, and then RN...or even maybe to CNA to RN.
And, by getting my CNA will I really get alot of good experiance that will help me in my future nursing???

Depending on your program, you can be a nurse extern or a CNA after 1 semester.

There is no point of trying to be a LPN or CNA prior to going to RN school.

It is good to have experience, but I wouldn't do either of those intentionally to go to RN school.

Depending on location, LPNs may never work in the hospital setting which is generally what you focus on in RN school.

If they have a fast program to become a CNA in 6 weeks and you want to do it during pre-reqs and can handle work+school combo. I would do it.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 9, 2013

I'd say go straight for RN. In my state you can take your CNA exam after first semester of NS, so why spend the money on a CNA course AND your first semester of NS?

krisiepoo · Dec 9, 2013

We had to have our CNA license to apply for our RN program. It won't hurt to have your CNA while going through the RN program, it was only a 6 week course or something like that. It may help you feel more comfortable talking to people, knwonig the system, etc. It might not help you get a job, but it might make you more comfortable in the setting

If you want to be an RN and can get in, I would bypass the LPN route

You can have a nursing 'career' without moving up the corporate ladder. I have no plans on moving up, either, but nursing will be my career and not just a job :)

AnnaRuthBeckel · Dec 9, 2013

Yes, that was my original plan, I think that is what I want to do... It will be hard but good for me I think.

I had another question tho... My community college that I am taking prerequisites at only has an Associate degree for Nursing. Is that bad? I am liking the idea of only 2 yeas of school rather then 4, but will I get hired having only my associate degree do you think???

jlautier · Dec 9, 2013

Just get your credits while your in high school. Apply to a four year college and get your BSN. That way when you decide you want to become an APRN all you need to do is apply not go back to school with 3 kids. Mad RNs without degrees are bitter because they know BSNs have career advancement beyond what they have. Stick it out and get your 4 year degree. It's totally worth it. Management roles, clinical leadership roles, and educational roles are what the BSN sets you up for.

AnnaRuthBeckel · Dec 9, 2013

As far as the 2 year vs the 4 year,is there a lot more you learn about actual nursing or is it just 2 more years of "extra" stuff like philosophy that don't really pertain to nursing????

DatMurse · Dec 9, 2013

As far as the 2 year vs the 4 year,is there a lot more you learn about actual nursing or is it just 2 more years of "extra" stuff like philosophy that don't really pertain to nursing????

Honestly, I am getting my BSN. philosophy, history is not needed for working in a hospital environment as a staff nurse. HOWEVER, to get a job in a major city, you will most likely need a BSN. Many hospitals are transitioning to it.

Better chances of getting a job as a BSN. Now I know many ADNs can be more competent than a BSN and vice versa. They can be just as good as staff nurses as us or even better. Some jobs they could be something such as public health.

Depending on your situation, it may be better to go to ADN, start working and transition to BSN while you work. It is cheaper to get an ADN. but ADN+BSN is longer than BSN straight ahead.

I think the pay difference is 25 cents an hour. lol

Now some classes such as research, nurses will never apply it. I rarely see a nurse actually pull up a database and look at research.

If I had to go back, and do it all over again? at 18 I would have busted my butt and went straight into BSN.

If I could criticize the prereqs I will say that they should have an English course over APA rather than us still practicing MLA.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2013

I would skip LPN because a lot of LPNs have issues finding jobs, at least in my area. I would go for a BSN if you can but an ADN is an option too, but a lot of places want you to go for a BSN to be hired. If you go for an ADN route, make sure the school is accredited by the NLNAC. My school is. CCNE only does BSN and MSN programs.

The reason why NLNAC is important is because many RN to MSN programs want the school to have the NLN accreditation if you apply for their programs, especially if they are online.

I would consider getting the CNA first. It will help with the basics like bed baths and such, but it is not the end all if you do not get it first. I do not have my CNA at all. My school requires that people take a class now but not necessarily becoming certified.

The extra classes are fluff in my opinion, however my school prepares us very well. We already have leadership and research opportunities in my ADN school. Our school also has a higher pass rate with NCLEX than any other school in our area. However, we have to get our BSN within 5 years of getting hired at most of the hospitals, but that it is okay for me because I just need 1 more year at OU or UTA. However, I am looking at doing a RN to MSN program in order to become a CNM.

My area does not pay any more for BSN so that is not a financial incentive. However, an ADN program may be significantly cheaper. It's about 15,000 for my RN program including pre-reqs plus another 10,000 to go to UTA (I think OU is only 8,000 because we have special deals with our school). So it is a lot better than the area schools that cost 10,000 per semester.

libby11 · Dec 9, 2013

What state do you live in? That changes everything as far as LPN/RN/BSN. For example: Colorado, I would say go straight for BSN and work as a CNA the entire 4 years of school. Wisconsin: ADN, work as a CNA; get a job after graduation then start BSN. If you were thinking doing LPN (depending on your state), I would say you almost may as well just go to an accelerated 2 year ADN program and start with your RN.

The one thing I would say is absolutely get your CNA NOW! You can probably do that while you are still in high school or over the summer. Some CNA programs are 2 weeks (8am-5pm M-F). Some CNA programs are a few months but you only go once or twice a week. Some hospitals have CNA programs (you usually have to apply at least 6 months in advance), but they might cover the entire cost and you're hired at the end. Get a job immediately after getting your CNA license, even if it is only part time! This is the best advice I can give to any pre-nursing or current nursing student. Get your CNA license and WORK as a CNA.

I recently got turned down for an RN job because I had 11 months of CNA experience and they wanted 1 year, per their policies--that is what they told me when informing me they could not hire me.

If you put two equal RNs next to each other at interviews and the only difference is one has CNA experience, guess who is getting hired? You learn so much as a CNA, just about interacting with me people when it comes to something so private as health, sickness, life, privacy, etc.; but also about procedures and medical processes and lingo. CNAs definitely have an advantage in nursing school, especially your first clinical semester. And CNAs working at hospitals often have an advantage over those working in long-term care. You can also start building your professional network. Many hospitals will offered healthcare related tuition reimbursement and be flexible and understanding of your scheduling needs. If you are working in a hospital as a CNA, these are often the nursing students that get internships and PAID externships/graduate nurse positions while in their final semester of schooling and waiting to pass NCLEX (it can take about a month after graduation to get your license, sometimes a little bit longer).

Good luck. Be well. Keep us updated.

AnnaRuthBeckel · Dec 9, 2013

I live in Florida.

I have also heard that if I get my CNA and I get hired by a hospital they will sometimes help me pay my tuition to get my RN...is that true???

i♥words · Dec 9, 2013

You have already received a lot of good advice, but I thought I'd chime in because you sound a lot like me. I took college classes in high school and then entered a BSN program. I thought about ADN for a while but decided to go straight for my BSN. I'm glad I did.

It's often said that an ADN program is 2 years and a BSN program is 4 years. That isn't necessarily true.

Before entering the 2-year ADN program you have to complete the prerequisites. The actual number of years, then, is 2 + the number of years it takes you to finish the prereqs.

The 4-year BSN program includes the prerequisites in their calculation. Usually, during the first two years (freshman and sophomore) you take the prequisites for the nursing program and the core classes your college requires. You start the nursing program your junior year.

4 years seems like a long time, but I can honestly say the time flies.

My advice? Go for your BSN.