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Discussion

Getting into a RN Program

Hello All!

So I have been doing everything in my power to make myself the ideal nursing school applicant. I live in Portland, OR and the nursing program I will be applying to is competitive (as they all are) they get about 1000 applicants and accept 80. So that alone scares me. I am 20 years old and have taken some time off from school since graduating HS. I have been working full time in customer service just to pay the bills and gain some life experience. I am now starting to really buckle down on getting my prereqs done so I can apply for the 2016-18 RN program. I get good grades and I have good recommendations but 88% of the accepted RN student had worked previously in healthcare and 50% of had prior degrees. That really scares me. I love my current job but I am willing to resign so I can gain healthcare experience. I am interviewing for a caregiver position next week at a local nursing home. I will be making less than I do now if I take the job but I can live with that as long as the experience is worth it in the long run. What do you guys think? Anyone do anything similar? Any advice? Thanks!!

- SP

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    I wouldn't say that CNA-experienced RNs are more competitive, but as a Nursing Student, the CNA experience will give you a leg-up on certain skills you'll learn in the 1st semester of RN school. That should allow you more time to study the other foundational material. I wasn't an CNA. I'm a Paramedic and while I had some struggles learning some CNA-level stuff (because it was new to me) there were other aspects of the program that I did well in.

    I wouldn't necessarily quit a good paying job unless your "new" position will provide you some strong networking opportunities on top of the basic skills you'll do, especially if changing jobs will be a bit of a hardship for you or your family. If that's not an issue, consider doing CNA as you'll have a set of "known" skills instead of unknown ones as a caregiver.

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    Thank you all for your help! I am meeting with a health advisor from the school this week so hopefully that will help me decide as well!

    :)

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    Having any caregiving/healthcare experience helps, at least when 1st getting exposed to patients in clinical.

    Having now as a RN precepted students you can tell those who have had previous hands on patient care...mainly because they are afraid to jump in with ADLs....doesn't make them better nurses just makes them more comfortable on the floor initially.

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    I got accepted to PCC, without prior medical experience (no CNA), but I did do volunteering on the Oncology floor at Salem Hospital for 2 years. Didn't do any of my prereqs there, don't live in that school district either. But I did do well on the essay and had a 4.0 GPA on the Nursing prereqs. So, miracles do happen!

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