Help!

[Justin08]

Hi Everyone,

I am 25yo Male that is thinking of getting into nursing. I have a love for emergency medicine, am currently an EMT-B and I live in Baltimore near some of the best Level 1 Trauma centers in the entire country so it seems like it would be easy enough to get information. Not so. I just got out of the mortgage industry after 5 or so years and for obvious reasons, I am very business savvy and extremely motivated. Problem is I have no college edcuation at all, I went to a very good high school here in Maryland but started working right after. Like I said I love emergency medicine / Trauma and that is what I want to get into but I dont know how. Is a trauma nurse usually just an RN?? I have been on every website for maryland, John Hopkins etc.. with no real luck....I know that there has to be programs where you can work full time and go to school with some sort of tuition reimbursement or the like...right?? I am ready to go into this full time right now but dont know the best way to go about it, should I first try to get a job as a nursing assisant or in antoher position that I am unaware of maybe an EMT bridge class or something?? Sorry for being long in the tounge! Any help is appreciated!! Thanks!

[moosicle]

>>Is a trauma nurse usually just an RN??

Yes, UMD is probably a good school for this since many of the instructors work or worked at Shock Trauma. They also offer a Trauma NP (Master's). Trauma is a specialty, not a degree but I think you can get certified.

http://www.ena.org/catn_enpc_tncc/tncc/aboutcourse.asp

>> I have been on every website for maryland, John Hopkins etc.. with no real luck....I know that there has to be programs where you can work full time and go to school with some sort of tuition reimbursement or the like...right??

Too many programs to really name here and many that I don't know. However, there is always some sort of annoying catch; they could still be worth the trouble.

>>I am ready to go into this full time right now but dont know the best way to go about it, should I first try to get a job as a nursing assisant or in antoher position that I am unaware of maybe an EMT bridge class or something?? Sorry for being long in the tounge! Any help is appreciated!! Thanks!

I doubt that EMTs can bridge to nursing, but I could be wrong. That sounds like a long bridge, like RN to Radiology tech. Nursing Assistant would probably help while doing pre-requisites; it may also help you find the right job and help pay some tuition.

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

Check out the MBON's website for nursing programs. You might want to consider getting your LPN first which with pre-reqs would take just over a year so that way you could work for a decent wage while you continue with your RN. For the most part around here if you are trying to get into a community college program your pre-reqs really need to have a high gpa so make sure you can deliver the goods before taking a lot of classes at once. Good luck.

[clhRN2b2010]

I have found the local info sessions really helpful at local programs- specifically JHU and UMB SON. Check out the web sites for open houses and info sessions and go to one if you can. Either way, you will need to begin taking the classic pre requisites classes- you do not need a college education now- but you will get one!

the pre req's are typically A&P 1+2 (which you usually need a Bio pre req for), Chem, Eng 1+2, Developmental Psych, and Microbiology. Sign up to begin taking these at your local CC and rock them hard. Go for the 4.0, because all schools look closest at your core sciences.

There is a lot of information to sift through. Take your time. Be thorough, because no one else has your best interests at heart.

Also, head on over to UMMC and check in with HR. They have a great tuition reimbursement for employees plan. If you could begin working as a CNA/Tech, that would be great. Ofcourse, JHU has equivaliant.

It's such a fun journey. Enjoy delving into your options!