How do I go about becoming an RN?

[mkgigi]

Hi everyone, I just found this site and it has already been SOO helpful! I've heard the RN program is a bit intensive, but I'm really intimidated by that. I was wondering what everyone's highschool GPA average was, just to give me a bit of insight. I have also found some online accelerated programs that sound great, but I wanted to hear first hand what you guys thought of it (those of you who went through programs such as this). I live in a smaller town where the waitlist is about 2 years i've heard! Is it the same for you guys?

Well thanks for taking time to read this! Any replies would be MUCH appreciated!:redpinkhe

[Back2school67]

I am just starting as well...from the very beginning! I reg 2mor just for the pre-req's and Im reaching out everywhere to get some insight. I know its what I want to do, but it can be a bit overwhelming. Good luck to you and finding the answers you need.

[mkgigi]

I am just starting as well...from the very beginning! I reg 2mor just for the pre-req's and Im reaching out everywhere to get some insight. I know its what I want to do, but it can be a bit overwhelming. Good luck to you and finding the answers you need.

thanks! It is really stressful. I've been in college for 2 semesters full time, and one semester part time. I am actually taking this semester off because of family issues, and I am feelin' like a bum! I am hoping to start school again soon... UGH. And my classes were business, so I am basically starting over too.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's great that you are so eager to get started. However, be sure to carefully analyze all of the pro's and con's of your choices. Despite all the advertisements, nursing education is very hands-on & cannot be accomplished entirely online. Clinical practicums are the core of the educational process - you will not have much control over how they are scheduled. It will be very difficult to work full time at another job during this period.

It may be frustrating, but with the current economic situation and lack of nursing jobs, waiting a couple of years may be your best option. You certainly don't want to stack up a pile of loans for a very expensive commercial (for profit) college program only to discover that you can't get a job afterward.

[mkgigi]

It's great that you are so eager to get started. However, be sure to carefully analyze all of the pro's and con's of your choices. Despite all the advertisements, nursing education is very hands-on & cannot be accomplished entirely online. Clinical practicums are the core of the educational process - you will not have much control over how they are scheduled. It will be very difficult to work full time at another job during this period.

It may be frustrating, but with the current economic situation and lack of nursing jobs, waiting a couple of years may be your best option. You certainly don't want to stack up a pile of loans for a very expensive commercial (for profit) college program only to discover that you can't get a job afterward.

thanks for the insight! I'm not sure if it is a common misperception, but I thought the nursing field was booming? And thank you, I am most likely not doing the online classes because I DO want to get the most out of this, not just pass and graduate.

[sunnycalifRN]

thanks for the insight! I'm not sure if it is a common misperception, but I thought the nursing field was booming? And thank you, I am most likely not doing the online classes because I DO want to get the most out of this, not just pass and graduate.

yep, it's a common misperception . . . right now, due to the recession, the nursing field is NOT booming . . . many new grad nurses cannot find a job at all. Hospitals are hiring, but only experienced RN's, which leaves the new grads out of work.

Of course, it will likely be a couple of years before you are looking for work as an RN . . . maybe the economy and the nursing job market will have turned around by then . . .