High School Senior Help

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2014

BSN stands for bachelor of science in nursing. It is a baccalaureate degree that renders a person eligible to take NCLEX and obtain licensing as a registered nurse (RN). So an RN with a BSN degree is a nurse who has been educated at the baccalaureate (bachelors) degree level.

Here in the US there are multiple ways to become a nurse. A person can earn an ASN (associate of science degree in nursing) and pass the NCLEX to obtain licensing as an RN. A person can earn the BSN and pass the NCLEX to obtain RN licensing. If the person already has a bachelors degree in a non-nursing major or concentration, (s)he can earn an entry level MSN (master of science degree in nursing) and pass the NCLEX to obtain RN licensing. A less common way is to earn a three year nursing diploma and pass the NCLEX to get licensed as an RN.

There's also the licensed practical nurse role (LPN), which is known as the licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in California and Texas. A person can become this type of nurse with about a year of training at a community college, trade school, state university or technical college. You can also earn the associate of applied science (AAS) degree in practical nursing. The NCLEX-PN must be passed to obtain licensing as an LPN.

What should you major in? Well, if you want to be a nurse, of course you'd need to select nursing as your major or concentration.

You will need coursework such as biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, algebra, English, psychology, and microbiology. And yes, you should have some proficiency in math and science coursework since it is the foundation of nursing.

I will allow other members to answer your other questions. Good luck to you.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2014

What is the difference between RN and BSN?

RN is a license, BSN is a degree (bachelors of science in nursing). RN has several pathways such as diploma, associates, and bachelors to become one and BSN is a four to five year program that will lead to RN licensure.

What does it take to become a nurse ?

Sacrifice and patience

What should I major in?

Nursing. Only nursing will lead to the ability to sit for the license exam. Pre-nursing may be the initial major but make sure that they have an actual nursing program. Health sciences or other degrees will not lead to a licensure.

What type of classes should I be taking?

Whatever pre-reqs the nursing program wants you to have. Anatomy, English, Micro, psych, lifespans and development, etc

What type of nursing careers do they have?

A variety.

What does an RN do in the medical field?

A variety of tasks depending on the job

What does a BSN do in the medical field?

They are RNs

Should I be good in science and math?

Yes

Is being a nurse difficult?

Yes. Mentally demanding because people are jerks

what are the type of things I should know if I want to become a nurse?

Customer service

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2014

What is the difference between RN and BSN?
What does it take to become a nurse ?
What should I major in?
What type of classes should I be taking?
What type of nursing careers do they have?
What does an RN do in the medical field?
What does a BSN do in the medical field?
Should I be good in science and math?
Is being a nurse difficult?
what are the type of things I should know if I want to become a nurse?

OK my daughter just went through this.

What is the difference between RN and BSN?

There are three ways in to being a Registered Nurse...

1)Diploma: These are rare these days. This is a hospital based program that takes approximately 3 years. You may take some courses at a community college but you will not have enough college to get a "degree". The was once the gold standard into nursing but these programs are few and far between. In today's job market...it is very difficult to get a job with this diploma. Once completed with the school you will sit for the nursing board exam called the NCLEX.

2) Associate degree: ADN, ASN (associate degree science and nursing...usually has more science requirements). While an associate degree is usually 2 years. This will typically take 3 years to complete as well...one year of prerequisite courses that include Anatomy and physiology, chemistry, psychology, Nutrition, English and math.

3) BSN: the bachelors degree...this is recently becoming the gold standard with many hospitals (depending on where you live) are only hiring BSN graduates...with some facilities requiring seasoned nurses to go back to college to keep their jobs (which I believe is wrong) This is a typical 4 year path that includes more course work in math, English, math, science, and history/general education courses.

There are some new Masters entry programs in which you sit for boards in 3-4 years then complete another 12-18 months to get your masters.

All of these education paths will allow you to sit for the licensing exam called the NCLEX. With passing this test you may not practice nursing and get a job.

What does it take to become a nurse ? Is being a nurse difficult?

What it takes to be a nurse. Well...nerves of steel, a thick skin, patience, sacrifice, hard work. You will be working all shifts....yes that means all night long. You WILL work holidays and weekends when your friends and family are out doing other things. You WILL have to go to work in the blizzard or hurricane (depending on where you work) for sick people don't become well because it's snowing or raining. YOU will be responsible for everything and have very little control. You will see people at their best....and at their absolute worst. EVERYTHING will be your fault...even though that isn't possible for you have no real control over anything.

What should I major in? What type of classes should I be taking? Should I be good in science and math?

Hopefully you have started already in high school and have been on a college prep path. You will need at least 2 years of foreign language preferably 3. You should take all the science, biology, and math like algebra and physics. Take your SAT's early and have a score of 1100 in reading and math. YOU will need a 3.5 GOA. Nursing school is very competitive right now....but don't fret...if you haven't been on a college bound prep you will just go to a community college or a 4 year college for your prerequisite courses now here again you will need to have at least a 3.0-3.2 to be competitive.

What does an RN do in the medical field? What does a BSN do in the medical field?

RN stands for Registered Nurse. A RN has graduated from an accredited (be SURE your school is NATIONALLY ACCREDITED) nursing school and has passed the national licensing exam. There is no difference between an associate degree and bachelor degree at the bedside. A RN is a RN is a RN...however in this job market (there is NO NURSING SHORTAGE) a nurse with a BSN may get the job first.

Nurses at the bedside give baths, give bedpans, shots, start IV's, draw blood, change dressings, clean up patients that have gone to the bathroom in bed because they couldn't help it....and a few who do it out of spite.

A nurse in the US is trained in all aspect in nursing or what is called a generalist education. You specialize later AFTER you graduate and get experience, I know there are many who go into nursing because they want to work with babies and children or want the excitement of the emergency room or intensive care because of what they see on TV. It is very difficult for new grads to get into these positions right out of the gate.

What type of nursing careers do they have?

What can a nurse do...well you can go into many areas of nursing even ones not at the bedside after you get experience. You can go back to school and become a Nurse practitioner and have independent practice , teach, or become a nurse anesthetist (CRNA)