Need info/help on starting my nursing career

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

Hi Kelly!

Well I would contact the college's in your area and see what classes they offer and what former credits will transfer. Fill out your financial aid paperwork and see what other resources are available to you. Don't assume that you aren't eligible for financial aid always apply for it because you never know what you may be able to get. I work on campus with a lady who is going to school and part of her assistance financialy for schooling is through the state and I "think" that it's the dislocated homemaker, or something along that lines. You have come to the right place online. This board is great!!

As far as deciding between LPN and RN that's a tough one and I will leave it to the more experienced members here. It's ultimately a decision that you will have to make but you might want to think about the trends in your state.

casi, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

I would definately start looking into the different colleges in your area and what they offer and find out about credit transfer.

When it comes to LPN, ASN, BSN you need to look at the programs in your area, see what fits your need. Also look at the scope of practice of LPN vs RN in your state and see what suits your interest.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 8, 2006

I agree what the previous posters have said ... but will add ...

Talk with some nurses in your area and look at job adds to become familiar with the job market in your area. Local job markets vary tremendously from one area of the country to another. For example, in some areas there are many jobs in hospitals available for LPN's and those LPN's can work in almost any area of the hospital. In others, there are not and LPN's are limited to working in physicians' offices and clinics (usually requiring experience), home health, and in nursing homes. That's fine if that's the type of job you want -- but if you want to be a pediatric nurse in a hospital or work obstetrics or intensive care, the LPN education won't get you the job you want.

So ... talk to the people at the local schools of nursing and find out where their graduates get jobs and what types of jobs they take. You might also talk to a nurse recruiter or manager at a couple of the local hospitals. They could tell you the "lay of the land" in your area. Be skeptical of getting career advice from people who might not be in a position to see the big picture and know all the facts. Sometimes a neighbor or a friend or a person who works in your doctor's office only sees a small piece of the big picture. While they might be trying to help you, they might be giving you wrong information. So talk to more than 1 person in a good position to know the big picture.

Also ... you need to really think through your decision and to make sure your expectations are realistic. There are a lot of people who go to nursing school and never think through about the types of jobs that will be available for them. They seem totally shocked when they are expected to work the night shift, or weekends, or holidays, etc. and generally unprepared for the realities of the job they apply for. Do your research and think it through.

What do you envision when you think about a career as a nurse? What type of setting? (hospital? nursing home? clinic? etc.) What type of patients? (children? adults? the elderly? intensive care? outpatient?) What type of work schedule? etc. Then start matching up that vision with the realities you find as you do your research.

Good luck,

llg