I'm 17 and I need some advice! please!

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hello everyone from all nurses! Well I just had some questions i'm graduating from high school in June I live in Los Angeles and I want to become a registered nurse. I was just wondering if any nurses had some advice or stories on how they did it. I was thinking of going to Lacc or Elac and do the general education and pre-reqs...But now i'm so dicouraged from still wanting to become a nurse becuase I hear there's long wait lists and it's very competitive. My last resort i'm thinking of doing is to attend a vocational school like American career college and become a Lvn do you guys think that would be a waste of time and money? and do people who go to that school get treated diffrently? I feel very confused... I would like some advice please thank you everyone for reading my post.

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I am not a nurse, I am a C.N.A and I think that your best bet would be to go to a C.N.A. class and be a cna for a while, if you like that then go to college and get the pre reqs out of the way, Yes their is a long wait list and it is very competitive but in the long run it is worth evry pennie and every minute that you waited. believe me, it is hard but worth your time especially at your age. I am only 20 and I wish I had started when you are, reason being I would be almost through the program I started 3 months ago.

Hope i helped you.

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

Well I'm 18 And I'm A Lpn , My Advice Is To Get Your Vn License Work, Go To School, Won't Be Easy But If You Want To Get Your Feet Wet And Make Some Money Try It, Best Of Luck.

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hello everyone from all nurses! Well I just had some questions i'm graduating from high school in June I live in Los Angeles and I want to become a registered nurse. I was just wondering if any nurses had some advice or stories on how they did it. I was thinking of going to Lacc or Elac and do the general education and pre-reqs...But now i'm so dicouraged from still wanting to become a nurse becuase I hear there's long wait lists and it's very competitive. My last resort i'm thinking of doing is to attend a vocational school like American career college and become a Lvn do you guys think that would be a waste of time and money? and do people who go to that school get treated diffrently? I feel very confused... I would like some advice please thank you everyone for reading my post.

If you are just graduating, you can apply for a four year program and then the pre-reqs are included during that time. Sure, to get a place in the actual nursing program is competitive, but if it is something that you really want to do, they you will get it done.

Pre-reqs are different for many programs, so by completing them one place may not qualify you for admission to a different program. If you go in as a freshman into a four year program, you will have better odds of getting into a program for the nursing section.

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If you are just graduating, you can apply for a four year program and then the pre-reqs are included during that time. Sure, to get a place in the actual nursing program is competitive, but if it is something that you really want to do, they you will get it done.

Pre-reqs are different for many programs, so by completing them one place may not qualify you for admission to a different program. If you go in as a freshman into a four year program, you will have better odds of getting into a program for the nursing section.

This is excellent advice, especially the last sentence! Head on over to a university with a good nursing program and talk to an adviser in the nursing department.

Azusa Pacific University has an excellent BSN program. It is a private university so it is costly but there are more financial options at private universities than state colleges and universities.

However, there are also great program at state schools.

To find them, go talk to your high school counselor and have her/him find the names of programs in your area.

You are young - please go the BSN route while you are young and unencumbered. ALL college kids have debt.

Good luck! And Best Wishes!

steph

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Specializes in ER.

You'll have a bunch of other classes that you need to get your degree, so first focus on the pre-req's for application to nursing, then, while you're on the wait list, take all the other classes-it's a good way to fill up the time, and then you can focus on the nursing part without having to worry about other classes. And definitely look to a BSN program, and DON"T stress about loans. I have 10,000 from my first degree (BA), and they are deferred the whole time I"m in school, and after that, my payment is silly cheap, less than $100 a month- not nearly enough money to limit my decision on school. Good Luck

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Try the CNA and see how you like it. That way you can tell if nursing is for you.

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I'd look at the ROP regional occupational programs LVN programs before I shelled out that sort of cash for a private school. dont; get discouraged, jsut start your prereqs. inch by inch it'll be a cinch ;) besides you're young. I'm 36! yikes.

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

If I were 17 again, I would enjoy college and not try to rush through it. Take your pre reqs and concentrate on your studies. When the time comes, get your applications out to all the RN programs to increase your chances of entry. Being that you, presumably, do not have a lot of responsibilities holding you back, you might consider applying to colleges outside of your city. You have a lot of options.

I am graduating from LVN school next month. The wait lists of RN programs were a reality for me and guided me into the decision of going the LVN route, with future goals of becoming a RN. My choices were limited because I do have children, I do have a mortgage and a husband who was not able to relocate for my education. When these are the things you are faced with, your choices are limited. Fortunately for you, you are young and have time on your side. If you really want to be a RN, go the direct route. As someone mentioned previously, you may consider working part time as a CNA to give you a better understanding of patient care.

Good luck!

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I graduated from high school when I was 17 too and I wanted to go to nursing school then. I was discouraged when I met a nursing instructor at Hampton University in Virginia (yeah I put them on blast). I ended up going into the military. May 5, 2007 I will graduate with a BSN and I am very excited. I would recommend doing a BSN program because like the previous poster, you will have time to take all the classes needed and you will more than likely get into the upper division nursing classes without being on a waiting list.

Remember, in the end you have to do what makes you happy!!!

Good Luck 2 U!!!!!

CLASS OF 2007

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.

I would go directly to a cc of your choice and start the prereq's for the RN. You can get about 60 units done and transfer to a BSN if you're inclined to get the bachelors degree saving some $$$. The RN program is sooo worth the wait.

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Thanks to everyone who replied to my post...thank you very much. It's alot of help when people give you advice I appreciate it.

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