Hi, I've recently made an account at allnurses.com hoping to learn what i need/should do to succeed. I'll just start off with some information about myself, then ask questions i cant seem to find the answers of online. I dont know what exact field i want to be yet, but will decided when it comes, for now I just want to involved and make my way Any help would very much be appreciated.
I'm an incoming senior fall of 2012
Current age of 16
Taking classes that related to nursing
Live in southern California
My gpa is higher than a 3.0, so its not the best
What I'm really looking for is advice on what i should do and how?
Was wondering what is the order of degrees/certificates to reach the highest level of education. ( I know its not a single path, and does branch out, if someone could include the different pathing) and also the difference in pathing
How should i get involved now, to obtain an edge? (Like where would opportunities present themselves)
Any recommended schools? Either online or on a campus? Also anyone's input on online classes.
These are just a few questions i have at the moment, answering these questions would probably lead to more. If anyone is willing to take the time to help me, it'll probably change my life.
1.I'm still confused on what a CNA does. So if that could be clarified.
2.Some of the following people recommended getting a BSN over an ADN(which i think is the first steps after High School). I want to know the complete differences between the 2.
3.I have recently taken chem jr. year, i got high Cs both semesters due to not finding it as an important class at the time, should i retake the class and aim for As? Or should I just keep moving on?
4.How would i get CNA?
1. What a CNA does varies a lot by setting. On a floor it is usually vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse ox), and then helps with baths, linen changes, starting/stoping feeding pumps, emptying foley bags, taking out IVs before discharge, taking the discharged patients to their car, etc. In an ICU, the nurses do a lot of that work, so our CNAs take VS during admissions, make sure supplies are stocked, help turn and change patients, grab supplies for procedures, etc. It is a job that will give you great insight into what nurses do. However, nursing is very different from CNA work. I love being a nurse, but could never be a CNA.
2. The difference between a BSN and an ADN is the BSN is a 4 year bachelor's degree, and the ADN is a "2" year associates degree. I put the 2 in quotes, because it generally still takes longer than 2 years to finish. A BSN is preferred for the acute care hospital setting and with the current job market a lot of places are only hiring BSNs. You also have to have a BSN before you can get your master's in nursing, so there is no reason why you shouldn't just get your BSN right after high school. An ADN would be a waste of time, imo.
3. As long as you can get into a 4 year university, I wouldn't retake the chem class. You'll probably have to take it in college anyway, so just focus on it there. I think most nursing schools have you do your first year or 2 of college and then apply to the nursing program for the last 2 years. (This varies by school, but this practice seems common.) So just work really hard that first year in college to get all As. Nursing school admissions are extremely competitive. Just check out these forums:)
4. Some states require a 6-8 week class. Some hospitals will hire you and just pay for your training there. You will need to see what the hospitals around you require. Start looking for jobs on the hospital web sites.
I would just like to thank everyone for responding to my post, I'm very grateful. From the answers I've been given some more questions arose.
1.I'm still confused on what a CNA does. So if that could be clarified.
2.Some of the following people recommended getting a BSN over an ADN(which i think is the first steps after High School). I want to know the complete differences between the 2.
3.I have recently taken chem jr. year, i got high Cs both semesters due to not finding it as an important class at the time, should i retake the class and aim for As? Or should I just keep moving on?
4.How would i get CNA?
I would just like to thank everyone for taking the time to answer my questions. I'm actually amazed at how many people responded to me in such a short amount of time.
1. I am not a CNA so I will let someone who has been one answer the question about what they do. I do know from friends that it can differ from state to state and from facility to facility.
2. Both an ADN and a BSN are nursing degree programs that prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensing Exam - Register Nurse) and become an RN. The NCLEX is the exam used in the United States for determining if you meet the competency requirements for effective and safe nursing practice at the entry level. The ADN is an Associates degree in Nursing (usually a 2 year program) and the BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (usually 4 years). Both programs teach the same core curriculum that usually includes Med/Surg nursing, Pediatric nursing and Maternity/Newborn nursing. A BSN program takes will include more Nursing Theory study.
The reason why people are recommending going for a BSN instead of an ADN is that more and more hospitals are requiring a BSN. I am confident that ADN programs will be phased out sooner rather than later.
3. I would suggest taking Chem again because the knowledge carries over into other required classes such as Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology and Pharmacology.
4. Every state has different requirements for getting your CNA. I suggest that you google the CNA requirements for your state.
Obtaining a high GPA, and finding instructors who will provide references later on is essential. You need to aim for A's, since schools are competitive. Furthermore, if you can volunteer at a hospital while you're in school, you'll have an idea what nursing is about. I would also recommend going right to a BSN if possible. Many facilities want the BSN. Good luck!
An LPN is a difference license than an RN, so they have a different scope of practice. LPN schooling is shorter and they have a much more limited scope of practice compared to RNs, but the details will vary by state. Generally LPN work in less acute environments like clinics and long-term care facilities. Most hospitals won't hire LPNs, because they aren't able to perform all of the required functions like an RN can. Again this varies tho. Some hospitals use LPNs to cover some of the tasks so the RNs can take more patients. The LPN forums could probably give you a better idea of what they do and where they work.
I did volunteer in an ER before nursing school, and I thought it did absolutely nothing for me in terms of learning what nurses do. I think you'd be much better off getting a job as a CNA if you're looking for relevant experience. Also, if they like you, they will hire you once you graduate:)
Being a CNA also requires a similar amount of schooling as LPNs, If I'm correct. (please do correct if I am mistaken)
Right now my plan is to get my BSN after high school. Would i also be going to school to be a CNA/LPN at the same time? or would that take away from getting my BSN?
I'm aware of the CNA requirements in California, they involve me having my high school diploma, but by that time ill be working on my BSN so to restate my question more clearly would be
Should I be going to CNA courses while working on my BSN? Or prioritize one?
CNA is certified nurse assistant and can be done in 2 weeks, less in some states, a little more in some states. CNA has other names in some states (Ohio, for one).
LPN is licensed practical nurse and usually takes a year or 18 months.
ADN is Associate degree in nursing and usually takes 2 years after certain prereq (prerequisite) classes.
BSN is bachelor of science in nursing and usually takes 4 years... two of gen ed (general education) and prereq and electives and two of nursing courses - although some schools spread the nursing courses into three years and expect the student to take some gen eds or electives while they take the nursing courses.
CNAs are not nurses, the other three are nurses. LPN, ADN and BSN are degrees. ADN and BSN (but not LPN) degrees allow a person to take the licensing exam - when the person passes then he is an RN (Registered Nurse). So, LPN is not an RN.
CNAs can do some of the same things nurses do...help people to the toilet, change briefs (diapers), feed people who need help eating, measure liquid input and output, change bedding (sometimes with the person in the bed), dress people, reposition people, take vitals (temperature, blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, weight), notice when something is wrong, shower them (in bed sometimes), brush their teeth, comb their hair, steady them as they walk, take them to other rooms, change some kinds of bandages.
LPN are licensed to do more things than CNAs are legally allowed to do. I'm not sure what.
RN are licensed to do everything CNAs and LPN do plus a whole lot more (ivs, foleys, accessments, educating the patient, more kinds of dressing changes,give medications, draw blood, and much, much more.
There is little difference between what an RN with a ADN is licensed to do and what an RN with a BSN is licensed to do. The difference is who hired them (in some areas of the country) and what they are hired for (in most/all parts of the country - a BSN can work all the jobs an ADN can but some jobs only a BSN has any chance of getting either because of the type of job it is (management for example) or because the employer prefers BSNs.
Many people become CNAs while in school for BSNs. LPN school is full time so it is very rare to do that at the same time as a BSN - although some people get an LPN so they can work as a nurse while they work toward their BSN.
After reading your last post.....
It depends, sort of. "Sort of" because the CNA is only 160 hours and it is easy hours for anyone who will be able to handle nursing school - mostly common sense, a little vocabulary, a few picky/precise prodecures to master... it isn't a big enough deal to concentrate on instead of BSN. You should be able to fit it into a summer or along with a light load one semester during the year and do it while you are taking classes.
If your school requires it or highly recommends it than obviously you will want to do it. If you can't get into other classes anyway, and you aren't sure you want to be a nurse or aren't sure what kind of nurse you want to be or want to gain some relevant experience or get your foot in the door somewhere for after you graduate than yes, it is a good idea.
If you have to give up a spot in something hard to get into (some schools give preference in their nursing programs to freshmen coming straight in from high school) to take the CNA - then it is obviously not a good idea.
If you don't expect to work as a CNA, then not so much of a good idea... it is never worthless when you are learning but it is probably not worth the cost.
Annaiya, NP
555 Posts
1. What a CNA does varies a lot by setting. On a floor it is usually vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse ox), and then helps with baths, linen changes, starting/stoping feeding pumps, emptying foley bags, taking out IVs before discharge, taking the discharged patients to their car, etc. In an ICU, the nurses do a lot of that work, so our CNAs take VS during admissions, make sure supplies are stocked, help turn and change patients, grab supplies for procedures, etc. It is a job that will give you great insight into what nurses do. However, nursing is very different from CNA work. I love being a nurse, but could never be a CNA.
2. The difference between a BSN and an ADN is the BSN is a 4 year bachelor's degree, and the ADN is a "2" year associates degree. I put the 2 in quotes, because it generally still takes longer than 2 years to finish. A BSN is preferred for the acute care hospital setting and with the current job market a lot of places are only hiring BSNs. You also have to have a BSN before you can get your master's in nursing, so there is no reason why you shouldn't just get your BSN right after high school. An ADN would be a waste of time, imo.
3. As long as you can get into a 4 year university, I wouldn't retake the chem class. You'll probably have to take it in college anyway, so just focus on it there. I think most nursing schools have you do your first year or 2 of college and then apply to the nursing program for the last 2 years. (This varies by school, but this practice seems common.) So just work really hard that first year in college to get all As. Nursing school admissions are extremely competitive. Just check out these forums:)
4. Some states require a 6-8 week class. Some hospitals will hire you and just pay for your training there. You will need to see what the hospitals around you require. Start looking for jobs on the hospital web sites.