I'm REALLY uninformed about the next step(s) in nursing school fu

talaxandra · Feb 16, 2011

I'm in Australia, so not all of this is totally accurate, but I'm sure other members will be happy to correct me :)

Accelerated programs are for people who already have an undergraduate degree, allowing them to complete a BSN in less time. These nurses come out as Registered Nurses (RN's), as do graduates of BN/BSN programs.

Registered Nurses, at least in Australia, have the broadest career scope - management positions, tertiary educators, nurse practitioner and other advanced practice roles, among others.

Licenced Practical (or Vocational) Nurses have less time in education and some restrictions on practice. Their closest equivalents here aren't able to give some medications, have to pass post-basic hurdles before performing some procedures, and aren't eligible for roles outside clinical practice.

Nurse aides are variously titled; in Australia they have considerably less formal preliminary training and aren't overseen by a professional body. Patient care attendants (PCA's) perform hygeine and other care, under the supervision and license of nurses. In Victoria they are not allowed to work in acute care, and often constitute the largest part of the aged care work force.

Becoming a nurse was the best decision I ever made. I certainly had no idea about what nursing was at the beginning, what I'd be expected to do or know, nor what I'd get out of it. However, it's certainly not for everyone. It's a lot of time, money and work before you're qualified; you might want to find out a little more, and perhaps shadow a nurse at work, before making the commitment. In the interim you'll certainly read a lot about nursing - the good, the bad, the horrifying, the nauseating, the heart-wrenching, the hilarious - here. Good luck :)

gabrielgroom · Feb 17, 2011

Talaxandra - THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I appreciate your efforts in responding with so much information.

I knew a little bit about all you explained, but now it's a little bit clearer.

It sounds like I need to find an accelerated program, since I have a BA. Plus, RN is what I intended to aim for, like you said, it holds a broader career scope.

If you have any more thoughts, I'm all ears.

Saysfaa · Feb 17, 2011

LPN/LVN/PN are all the same thing and are different than an RN. The RN has a considerably wider scope of practice (meaning they are licensed to do specific things that an LPN/LVN are not licensed to do).

There is only one way to get an LPN - that is take the course for that. It varies a little bit in length depending on the school giving the course but is basically the same course. It is often mainly nursing classes with few general education classes (I think, I haven't looked into them too much).

There are two kinds of RN but both have the same scope of practice. An ADN and a BSN. The ADN is an associates degree, which means it is a two year degree (or used to be). The BSN is a bachelors degree, which means it is a four year degree.

In real life, the two year degree usually takes three years and the four year degree takes four years. So, how long it takes is one difference.

A second way of looking at them, is to look at how the courses are different. Usually, the BSN student takes everything the ADN student takes plus more non-nursing classes (like statistics in addition to algebra, two or three English classes instead of one or two, and so on). Also, the BSN student takes more credits of nursing classes... often adding management classes or more theory classes.

A third way of looking at them, is to look at how they are different in the working world. I know less about that, so better look elsewhere for information on that.

There are two paths to get an ADN: a typical ADN program and a LPN/LVN bridge. A standard ADN program requires about 30 to 35 credits of general ed classes, typically: algebra, chemistry with a lab, anatomy with a lab, physiology with a lab, microbiology with a lab, English, humanities, psychology, sociology, and human development. Sometimes nutrition, sometimes a two classes in a catagory or two, sometimes an ethics or logic class.

The LPN/LVN/PN to RN bridge programs are meant to allow the credits taken for the LPN to count toward the RN. The student takes just the classes that the LPN course didn't require. Usually, this means several general ed classes and the second year of the standard RN program. Sometimes, schools think the LPN classes are enough different that they give credit to only part of the first year.

There are three paths to get a BSN. First, a typical BSN program is where the student takes roughly two years of general ed classes and two years of nursing classs. Some schools group the general ed classes into the first two years and the nursing classes into the second two years, others mix them more.

Second, the RN-BSN bridge works similar to the LPN-RN bridge... the student takes the classes required by the BSN program that were not part of the RN program. Usually all the nursing classes taken in the first step of the path are given full credit.

Third, the accelerated BSN program. This means different things at different schools. Usually, it means a student who holds a BA or BS degree in a non-nursing field, can get a BSN faster than usual by taking only the classes specific to nursing and taking a faster pace than is typical. This student is assumed to have taken all the general education classes in getting the first bachelor degree.

Jonathank · Feb 17, 2011

Talaxandra - THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I appreciate your efforts in responding with so much information.
I knew a little bit about all you explained, but now it's a little bit clearer.
It sounds like I need to find an accelerated program, since I have a BA. Plus, RN is what I intended to aim for, like you said, it holds a broader career scope.
If you have any more thoughts, I'm all ears.

Need is a strong word. You could also get an ADN/RN, and then take an ADN-to-BSN bridge. From there (BSN), the paths to the various specialty credentials and/or advanced degrees are virtually limitless.

talaxandra · Feb 17, 2011

Wow, nursing education is hella more complicated for you guys than it is here! There are only enrolled and registered versions of nurses in Australia; the latter is a three year degree course (plus honours for particularly academic graduates), shorter for post-grad entry and for enrolled nurses converting. All registered nurses go to university, and all come out with the same qualification.

gabrielgroom · Feb 18, 2011

SAYSFAA, JOHNATHANK, & ALAXANDRA - Thanks to you all! I really appreciate everyone's input here.

I'm planning to dedicate my weekend to really digging into all of this info.

Thanks so much. If you have any more thoughts, keep 'em coming.

talaxandra · Feb 18, 2011

You're welcome, gabriel - if I come up with anything I'll let you know, and feel free to post again if you've got more questions after your researching weekend :)

gabrielgroom · Feb 19, 2011

thank you.