Help! Nursing Career and Degrees questions

Inori, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2015

depends on how much money you have banked, family support and such. Since you're a HS student you have financial aide and school loans that should cover your education so you can get to your goal faster. There's no one best way do some research make a list of pros and con's and see whats' right for you. I went FT studying at a community college for RN then RN-BSN, now going for MSN. The benefit of the "long" way is that you get to start work early and start making money and some facilities pay for your education. oh and you forgot LPN. can do CNA>LPN>RN>BSN> more.

verene, MSN · Nov 26, 2015

There is a lot of different information out there because there are many different paths towards are career in nursing and depending on your situation some may make more sense than others.

As a high school student you likely want to focus on getting into a university with a BSN program and go straight through. If a 4-year college or university is out of reach financially going to a community college to complete pre-req courses (1-2 years of general education requirements) and then transferring to 4 year school and completing a BSN is also an option. You do not have to get an ADN before getting a BSN, both ADN and BSN training allow you to set the NECLEX for the registered nurse (RN) license. However if you would prefer to get an ADN and then bridge (cost, local program offerings) to BSN that is possible as well.

You do not have to work as a CNA before or during nursing school. Many students take CNA training and work in the field as a way of earning an income and making professional connections while in school. Some programs give preference to students who work in healthcare or have built up volunteer hours in a healthcare setting and working as a CNA provides that experience.

Midnightmist 01 · Nov 26, 2015

Thank you for this response! It helped a lot. Do you think it could be a good idea to work as a CNA while trying to earn my BSN? I'm guessing that it might help me earn money and gain experience, and it wouldn't cause me to take longer to earn my degree either, right?

Midnightmist 01 · Nov 26, 2015

The benefit of the "long" way is that you get to start work early and start making money and some facilities pay for your education. oh and you forgot LPN. can do CNA>LPN>RN>BSN> more.

Okay, thanks! Also, would I have to do each of those or is it possible to jump around from, say, CNA straight to RN? Or is LPN mandatory?

I'm just really confused about a lot of this, especially since I'm not sure of the type of nursing I want to do. So I kind of want to be able to take general nursing courses that will help me no matter what direction I choose.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2015

It depends. Keep in mind that most nursing programs no longer directly admit high school students. The programs in my area quit doing it about four or five years ago. What they require is for you to do pre-reqs. My advice is to find a school you like and go there. See if you can find four programs you like and talk to each school about what would transfer and what classes you will need to take from the school you like in order to apply to the nursing program. Each program will have slightly different requirements. In order to transfer, you do not need to graduate from the initial school.

Not all schools have a nursing program and some will have pre-nursing transfer. Be careful of that since it does not mean you will be accepted to whatever school you want to go.

CNA is usually required by schools now but it may not be mandatory. My school requires students to take the class but not pass the test (at least when they implemented it 3 or 4 years ago).

Now, sometimes people can get accepted quicker at a traditional BSN when compared to an ADN. It is not required to get the ADN. However, it can be a lot cheaper to get an ADN and then continue on for a RN to BSN or RN to MSN program. I personally did the ADN, RN to BSN, and now I am in a MSN program and that was a cheaper route than other methods. I almost had a bachelors degree in another program though. I never became a CNA although I did become an EMT and then paramedic.

The amount of time in my ADN and then RN to BSN is less than a traditional BSN program. none of my other credits transferred or transferred completely due to quarters system.

LPN is not required and can actually cost quite a bit depending on where you go.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2015

All the different options to getting a job as an RN are for all the different situations people are in. Second career students, working parents, single parents with all levels of income, etc.

Assuming, you, are a high school student with few responsibilities (no kids) and limited financial resources (no well-paying job), aren't married, and parents aren't paying for your education. I would suggest get a job as a CNA to gain experience (not necessarily make that much money) and try to apply for all the financial aid you can get at a University BSN program.

The LPN and ADN route are for people who have to support themselves and others while in nursing school. These are perfectly good career choices and ends in themselves but they are not necessary for obtaining a BSN.

Also, stay outta trouble so you won't have to explain a police record to your future school or Board of Nursing.

kateee · Nov 27, 2015

You can go right into a bsn program at a 4 year school if you want, you do not need to get your adn first it is just cheaper to get an adn. Either degree you will be an rn afterwards, it is just easier to get a job with a bsn. Also getting your Cna is definitely beneficial, but not necessary. You should work as a Cna during school maybe just to get some experience and see if you actually like patient care.

Midnightmist 01 · Nov 27, 2015

Thank you all so much for helping! I'm MUCH much more clear on what I should do.

Just to make sure...

1. I was thinking to take a CNA course BEFORE college, so I could get licensed and earn money and experience in that particular field of nursing.

2. Then I can go to a community college and get my ADN, then take the NCLEX-RN to work as a registered nurse.

3. I would then attend a university with an RN to BSN program to earn my BSN.

(This is, for hypothetical reasons, assuming I pass all tests and earn all degrees and get accepted into colleges)

Is that correct? Do you guys think that is a good way to go?

johsonmichelle · Nov 27, 2015

Heres my advice, go to a school that is affordable and has a good pass NCLEX pass rate. Also a good nursing school should have a good retention rate, there are some schools who have 100 percent pass rate but only 10 people take the exam. I overheard a student who was attending one of the top nursing schools in the country complain about the lack of oppurtinity she thought she would be receiving for all the money she is paying( close to six figures). You only make mention of educational debt , are you going to incur car debt, house debt or credit card debt after graduation ? These are all the things one must think about.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Nov 28, 2015

Thank you all so much for helping! I'm MUCH much more clear on what I should do.
Just to make sure...
1. I was thinking to take a CNA course BEFORE college, so I could get licensed and earn money and experience in that particular field of nursing.
2. Then I can go to a community college and get my ADN, then take the NCLEX-RN to work as a registered nurse.
3. I would then attend a university with an RN to BSN program to earn my BSN.
(This is, for hypothetical reasons, assuming I pass all tests and earn all degrees and get accepted into colleges)
Is that correct? Do you guys think that is a good way to go?

I think this is a good plan. First, while working as an RN, you can have the facility pay for your BSN, then MSN if you want. However, a word of caution- some facilities are only hiring BSN prepared nurses. They are requiring ASN nurses who are already employed with the facility to return to school for their BSN. I am not sure in which part of the county you live, but it is something to keep in mind. I am hearing that smaller, regional hospitals do not care so as long as the applicant has an RN license.

Either way, good luck to you. It is a wonderful profession which I truly love.

Nurse_Wanna_Be84 · Nov 28, 2015

Im just going to drop my two cents here and hopefully it will help you decide. Getting a CNA license is very easy to do and requires very little time. Its the bottom of the ladder in the wonderful world of medicine and nursing. It is the grit and grim of everything dirty hard and sad about the career. The CNAs are the nurses backbone. We are the ones who will hop to and make sure that the nurses are covered and that our patients are cared for with dignity and respect. With that being said. Do i suggest any new person who has never had any experience in the medical field start at the bottom? yep. absolutely. A lot of nurses come fresh out of school never having been around patients and CNAs. I've met many nurses who hold their nose above those who help them out on a daily basis. On the other hand i have met many nurses who work side by side with the CNAs to help them realizing that nothing is to beneath them and that they like working as a team. I do wholly support, fresh out of high school students, taking a break from school and checking out the medical field if thats where they want to be. You can work as a CNA and see if this is really where you want to be. Realize that Nurses deal with a lot of gross stuff. Not everyone can be in this field, Not everyone has the stomach for the mucus, blood, feces, emesis, that may occur on a daily basis. Not everyone can be objective with their patients. In fact you will find it very very hard to maintain a professional boundary. You become attached to a person you care for and then if they pass on either into death or just into a different phase in life where they no longer require your help, you have to contend with that sadness. This isn't a "job", this is a calling. There is no amount of money in the world that is worth the kind of reward you get at the end of the day from taking care of a patient, walking into a shift and seeing faces light up because you are there and you know you can make their day a little better. It doesn't matter which way you decide to go as long as you have the heart and care and strength to handle whats ahead of you.