Help!, confused about studying NNP..

[Jennifer33]

HI!, I'm from Florida. I'm going to grade 12. I want to become a NNP.

I'm new to all of this of college and universities and I dont understand a lot of things, since the closest people to me hasn't gone to college, so they can't help me.

I searched for information on the internet and someone tell that that I need to earn a BSN and then a Master on NNP. But when I search on the colleges websites they say that to take a BSN I have to have previous studies in college.

In other university they said that to take a BSN I need to have certain credits that I can take them with the first 2 years of their BS in Health Science degree program. But if a take that how do I change after the two years? Do I have to pay all the BS in Health Science degree program or just the time that I took?

Other said that I have to take a ADN first but when i search for an ADN they said that that program is considered a terminal degree and is not transferable. So I can't take that to tranfer it to take the BSN.

AAHH! this is so confusing and frustrating!

I appreciate your help. Sorry if there're any errors on the grammar.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I suggest you schedule a meeting with your high school guidance counselor. He or she should be able to help you sort it out.

There are several different pathways for becoming a nurse -- and each different program has its own requirements. There is no one path that is best for everyone. That's why it would be best if you could find someone who could help you research all the different options -- someone who knows your personal situation and could help you find a good match.

[Jennifer33]

thanks for taking your time to help me! :)

[llg, PhD, RN]

I wish I could give you a better answer. You are politely asking a reasonable question. The problem is: I don't know enough about you to make a recommendation.

For example, do you have the financial means to attend a 4-year college? Are your grades and standardized test scores good enough to be able to get accepted by just about any school you choose? If so, I would recommend going to such a school and getting a BSN. (For example, at one of your larger state universities.) You would simply apply to that school and take whatever classes they require for the nursing students at that school.

However, if you can't afford that option (and can't get financial assistance) ... you might want to consider a 2-year community college to get an ADN. After graduating with your Associate's Degree in Nursing, you could get a job as a nurse -- but you would probably have fewer job options available to you with only an ADN and not a BSN. A lot of hospitals prefer to hire BSN grads, especially for their intensive care units. However, any RN job would give you a paycheck -- and you could work as a nurse while you went to school part time to continue your education to get the BSN ... and then later, the graduate degree you would need to be an NNP.

Be careful, though ... there are some "for-profit" schools out there that take advantage of students like you, who don't know much about higher education. Such schools are oftern quite expensive, and they promise to take care of everything for you. They make it very easy for you to get into the school and start taking classes. But they are often of poor quality and may not be respected by health care employers -- and by universities where you will want to go to get further education to be an NNP. You can spend lots of time and money going to such a school -- and end up with a degree that is not well-respected.

That's why you need to be dealing with a guidance counselor or some other professional who can help you look at the options in your area to help you find a good choice for you.

[Jennifer33]

oh, it's ok. Now you help me a lot, thanks! :). One question, I'm sorry to bother so much :s. Can I apply to the RN license if I graduate with the BSN or I have to take another course for that?