Graduating HS, I want to be a nurse HELP!!

mrnurse2u · Dec 13, 2003

Originally posted by Manning626
I am graduating highschool in December, a semester early. I live in Florida. I like the idea of having the ability to work flexible hours and I think it would be fairly easy to travel and have a job. I also want to help people.

I would like to stay living at home for the time being. Can I attend a community college and recieve a BSN? I notice most universities require that you already take certain classes: Where do you take all these classes at? I am really confused on this subject and would love to talk to someone about it all. My AOL is manning626 if you have any free time.

What are the differences bewtween an ADN, RN, BSN?
Where do you get the schooling for all?
What are the different pay rates?

Can an RN work in a peditrians office? I knew an RN who worked in a nursing home, which is definitly not what I want to do.

I want to be a nurse, but i dont want to have to clean patients or wipe them or stuff along those lines.

CONGRATULATIONS on graduating early! I applaud your goal to become a nurse. I can answer some questions for you.

1) An ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) and BSN (Bachelor of

Science in Nursing) are college degress that allow you to be

licensed as an RN (Registered Nurse) in your state.

2) Pay depends on your state. You should go to your state

government website or the Bureau of Labor Statistics to

(http://www.bls.gov) get more information. You can also ask

the nursing department at nearby colleges.

3) For schooling, you can go to a community college to get

an ADN, or a university to get BSN.

4) There are many specialties, which you will learn about as

you work on your degree.

5) Community colleges do not offer bachelor degrees.

6) You do not have to work in a nursing home, but your training

and schooling make require some time there. Don't be afraid

of such an environment as a learning experience. You will

learn a lot about yourself as well as others in a nursing home

as well as in other settings.

Good luck to you!!! Stick with it! It's not easy, but it's very

rewarding!

Alex

kc ccurn · Dec 13, 2003

I think that it is great that you want to become a nurse! It is such a great field to be in, the opportunities are endless....

There are a couple of different avenues you can take to be eligible to sit for your boards for RN licensure. An ADN is a nurse that has an associates degree in nursing. Typically the ADN has a lot of clinical rotation experience but not as much bookwork theory behind the pathophysiology of disease etc. Usually the community college offers an ADN.

A BSN, bachelors in science in nursing is typically a 4-5 year program, including your prerequiresites your freshman and sophomore year. Typically you enter the nursing program after your sophmore year, spending 5 semensters in the actual nursing program itself. BSN programs are traditionally offered at universities instead of community colleges.

Both ADN's and BSN's are elibigle for licensure for RN (registered nurse). Both ADN and BSN programs require certain classes.

I would recommend that you get literature from both community colleges and universities and see which would suite you. Some people take their pre-req's (math, chemistry, etc.) at the community college (a little cheaper cost wise) then transfer to a university to complete the BSN. Talk to an admissions couselor from a nursing school, they should be able to give you plenty of advice and answer your questions.

A RN can work almost anywhere, pediatrician's office, hospital, clinic, the opportunities are limited only by your imagination.

Depending on where your goals are, will help you decide if you should go for ADN or BSN. Here in Denver, Children's hospital will hire only BSN for some positions. If you want to teach or become a nurse practioner, you will need a BSN before you can get your MSN.

As far as pay is concerned, at my hospital in Denver, BSN's get an "extra credit point" that will give us a slightly higher percentage of pay raise for our yearly raise.

Hope this helps. email with more questions if not.

LisaRN2B · Dec 13, 2003

Originally posted by kc ccurn
Typically the ADN has a lot of clinical rotation experience but not as much bookwork theory behind the pathophysiology of disease etc.

That is not always true regarding bookwork theory of pathophysiology of disease with ADN programs in every state/school. It is not the case at the school which I attend. Check your local college/university for their curriculum.

In my area the BSN concentrates more on management, etc. The science/bio classes are virtually the same.

jkaee · Dec 13, 2003

Manning626, I emailed you....let me know if you got it!

Jennifer

Rustyhammer · Dec 13, 2003

I want to be a nurse, but i dont want to have to clean patients or wipe them or stuff along those lines.

I don't want you to be disillusioned.

You will at some point have to do some of the stuff along those lines. But not to worry. It is not as nasty as you think it is. You should hear some of the things nurses talk about during lunch.

I'm trying to say it's not a big deal.

-Russell

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 13, 2003

Shadow some nurses...

not just a time or two but several in differeing areas. School is fine, but seeing with your own eyes is even better.

best wishes.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2003

The community college here in St. Petersburg has an excellent BSN program and is a commuter school, without on campus housing. So yes, you can go to a community college and get a BSN. Make sure's in accredited by an organization like the National League of Nursing.

You'll probably have to wipe some butts while in school. That comes with the training.

Manning626 · Dec 13, 2003

Thanks everyone, I really understand how everything works. I now must start investigating the various schools and institutions.

Thanks a bunch.

fab4fan · Dec 13, 2003

Typically the ADN has a lot of clinical rotation experience but not as much bookwork theory behind the pathophysiology of disease etc. Usually the community college offers an ADN.

This is not necessarily true, and should not be considered factual information.

Check out each program carefully, and decide what is going to fit for your career goals.

People should really learn to post facts, not just opinion/propoganda.