I need some help, please! Nursing schools

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Hello everyone,

I'm a guy from Italy, and I'd need some help please, please, please.

My dream is to study nursing in the USA (or in Australia, too) to became a professional nurse: specifically I'd like to become a RN practitioner, or a Med-Surg nurse, or a CRNA anesthesiologist nurse.

The problem is that in Europe the education is very different from in the USA, so I'm a little confused and disoriented about the nursing programs in the USA.

I think that the first step to become a Med-Surg nurse or a CRNA is to take an Associate degree (AAS); then a Bachelor degree (BS; you become a RN); then a Master degree (nurse practitioner, CNS, CRNA, Med-Surg nurse, and so on). I hope I understood in the right way! Tell me please if I'm wrong!

My question is:

can you please tell me about some good nursing school, but not expensive one in the same time? Unfortunately I'm not rich, but I'd love so much to have a good education in nursing and to get my dream real.

P.S: every state is ok for me: the important thing is that it's a good but not expensive school! (some good community college??)

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Fabiano

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Specializes in Surgical, Critical Care, LTC & SAR.

Fabiano, there are a few different ways to obtain your goal. You could attend a less expensive community college and obtain an associates degree in nursing and go back to school later and obtain the BS, OR you could attend a 4-year college and go straight for the BS, RN. The BS program is a little longer. It's really preference and $$.

Most of the community colleges offer great nursing school programs. I attended at Harford Community College in Maryland (Harford Community College) and in my opinion it was a good program. Maryland also has a great program at Johns Hopkins. There are MANY other great programs in the states. I would also contact the financial aid department of whichever college you choose. There are many scholarships, grants, and government funds that you may qualify for. I didn't pay a dime for school, books or supplies. Apply yourself and try to get as much assistance from the school as you can!

Good luck!

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It appears that you would relocate... but if I were you I would definately take my pre-reqs. (A&P, Micro..) first at a community college, call different school from the states you would like to relocate at. I recently graduated from PBSC they have an excellent program (it's very hard to get in & stay in) there's also IRSC and Miami Dade I heard it very good.

good luck to you!!!

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Specializes in NICU.

Hello Fabiano,

In the US you have a few options to becoming an RN. You can either go through a hospital based diploma program (there are not that many of these left in the US), get an associate degree (which is usually obtained through attending a community college program), get a bachelor degree (a 4 year degree through a university), or, if you already have a bachelor degree in another subject area you could begin a master's degree program that is geared towards training non-nurses for advanced practice roles. These types of programs exist for a nurse practitioner, however to become a CRNA you would need hospital experience first, specifically in the ICU, so you would need to obtain your RN certification before beginning a master's degree for CRNA.

Any of these options allow you to sit for the national licensing exam. Your personal situation will determine which route is best for you. Generally speaking community colleges are cheaper than universities, so many people choose to obtain an associates degree in nursing, become an RN, and then further their education while working. Other people choose to work for the BSN straight off if they know that they want to obtain a master's degree later. It's a personal decision.

I should also add that while a CRNA or a NP require a master's degree, a med-surg nurse does not. Therefore, you could get your RN and work as a med-surg nurse while deciding which route you would like to pursue. Of course, you may also decide that you want to remain a med-surg nurse, or pursue an entirely different route all together.

As for the schools, if money is an issue a community college is a great route. Really, I'd decide an area that you want to live in (check out costs of living, lifestyle, etc) and then look at the schools in the area. If you are interested in horrible weather, I am originally from southeastern Michigan. There are several community colleges, all with very reputable nursing schools within a very close area. They do have waiting lists, however. Some public universities are very reasonably priced, also. For example, in Michigan the University of Michigan is pretty expensive, but Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, and Wayne State University are all much cheaper.

I'm sure that other people on the site can give you some great information about the areas that they live in. Good luck on beginning your career!

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

I attended the Community College of Allegheny County. It was a great experience, it's very inexpensive, and best of all it's in Pittsburgh (named America's Most Liveable City)! I can't praise the city enough :D

They have a strong pass rate for the NCLEX, and high job placement after graduation. Several of my fellow students were attending on student visas, so it can be done.

Check it out at www.ccac.edu ...

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OMG guys, really thank you so much for your replies!!! You are so gentle :-)

Yes, I feel this vocation to become a nurse, help people, to make the difference. I always did volunteer in my life, and this is the chance to help people and to work in the same time.

To be honest I took a Master degree in "Italian literature and history" at "La Sapienza university of Rome", but I really think that if I want to become a nurse studying in the USA I need to start by the Associate degree, step by step to the Bachelor and to the Master degree.

I stayed 3 months in New York, and I went to the Borough of manhattan Community College and also to the Staten Island Community College to take some infos.

Both of them seem very good college: the Borough of Manhattan offers the Associate degree, and it's cheap (I'd pay about 2,500 USD for each semester like an international student); the Saten Island community college offers a very complete program, starting from the Associate degree to the Bachelor degree, to the CNS/NP master degree... but it's more expensive: it's about 4,500 USD for each semester.

So, I have one more question please: in your opinion, it would be possible to take the Associate degree at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (the cheaper one), and after to take the Bachelor and Master degree at the Staten Island Community College?

Of course I tell about the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Staten Island Community College only because I visited them, but I don't want necessarily to study in the state of NY.

The last question: when you take the associate degree do you become a RN?

Sorry for all these questions, but I'd like to know many things as possible before taking my decision!

Thank you so much!!!!

Fabiano

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

An Associate's Degree, plus passing your board exams, will make you an RN. One thing about New York is they have a very long waiting list (years) for most of their nursing programs, and the cost of living is very high...

Once you finish your Associate's, you can go anywhere you'd like for your BSN and Masters, especially if you maintain good grades. Usually it only takes one extra year to get your BSN after you've finished your Associate's, which is pretty nice :)

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ok, thank you again :-) That seem great!!

Of course I'm studying to take the TOEFL (the english language certificate), because I need it if I want to study in the USA (my english is teeeerrible!).

Sure, I know that life is very expensive in the New York area, also to renting a small apartment where to live. So I'll check also for good community colleges in different areas, of course!

xoxo,

Fabiano

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Just want to point out that you may have problems finding a employer to assist you with work once you have completed your training. We have seen many post of training in NY and then struggle to find a employer even for OPT which you apply for before you graduate and enables you to work for a year gaining nurse experience. Many many nurses are affected by retrogression including people who trained in the US and as a new grad and ADN you will not qualify for a H1b visa and unless you maintain your student status you will have to consider leaving the country. Also be aware that CRNA training may require more than 12 months experience to get on the course which you may fall short on if you have only used OPT

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It appears that you would relocate... but if I were you I would definately take my pre-reqs. (A&P, Micro..) first at a community college, call different school from the states you would like to relocate at. I recently graduated from PBSC they have an excellent program (it's very hard to get in & stay in) there's also IRSC and Miami Dade I heard it very good.

good luck to you!!!

Hi, I am looking to start my pre-reqs for the nursing program at PBSC. I recently completed the CNA course, and I'm Certified since yesterday!! :yeah:But my question to you is, Did you have a hard tme in the RN program at this school? You say it is difficult to get in. Do you think in 2 or 3 years it will be different, like a bit easier to get in? Do alot of student fail? And if some do fail, were they dedicated, or did they have an I-dont-care attitud? I am very hopeful to get in once Im done with pre-reqs. If I do LPN before RN will that increase my chances? Whats the best way to get in?

Thanks Im a question box! ;)

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