Hi everyone! Brand new, need advice!

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Hi! My name is Andi (short for Andrea)..brand new here! I was searching different nursing questions using google and i came across this site! It looks like an awesome resource for anyone in the nursing profession, or in my case, anyone looking for help on just getting through school in the first place! It seems like it will be much more helpful to get help from actual nurses that have had expierence instead of just searching google.....

I am currently going to community college in Michigan, done with all my pre-reqs, and ready to start the actual nursing program. I am hoping i will be able to start next fall semester....the waiting list is a pain in the butt. In the meantime, I work at a dental office as a receptionist. I really want to start working in a hospital or medical facility to get a little experience, but I feel a little stuck in the job that i am at.

My first question is...As someone who does not have any expierence in the medical field, where should I start looking for an entry-level position that does not require expierence? Do most places train on the job for nurse aids/assistants or do most places require certification?

I am also a little unsure about the level of education that I am getting at community college. I really like the school I am at, and I know some nurses that have graduated and are very happy as RNs now, but I wonder if it is necessary to go further in school, get my BSN, or if I will be ok with my associates..there is not much holding me back right now, no kids, not married, so I guess my issue is whether or not I will regret not going further with my education....

If anyone has advice/inspiration, please share!

Thanks for reading! Hope to meet some people that can help out!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Welcome

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Welcome to Allnurses!

I'm a proud graduate of a community college. If the school is accredited and allows you to get your RN, then don't worry about it. There are many RN to BSN programs out there. Getting your BSN is a good idea, depending on your goals and how young you are. I'm going to have to work for another 20 years unless I win the lottery so I just completed my BSN at the age of 48, after doing very well with my ADN for 16 years. My goal is to teach. ADNs prepare you for the beside and the good non-bedside jobs, which you might be interested in 20 years from now, such are nurse leaders, eductors, researchers, case managers, pharmaceutical reps, etc. are BSN-preferred.

But if you can get your BSN now, that would probably be the best idea.

Many places hire nurses students as Nurse Techs/Interns, so that would be a good starting point. I went into nursing school with only restaurant and clerical experience and was clueless and did just fine. But getting your CNA and working as a CNA might not be a bad idea either.

Good luck and feel free to ask questions. Since you are asking questions, I'm going to move your questions to the General Nursing form and out of the Introductions. Good luck in all that you do.

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I would think that if you are a receptionist in a dental facility, you would have some experience that would help you to be a unit secretary in the hospital setting. It might not be where you would like to start but it would get your foot in the door.

Also, many nursing homes will hire you and pay for you to go to classes to get your CNA and pay for the STNA test. That would be another option for you. And you would start getting patient care experience. I think some of the best nurses start out as STNA/PCTs.

Good luck and :welcome:

Leslie

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:welcome: welcome!!! this site is very useful for your nursing carrer...

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