New and Need HELP

zozzy777 · Jun 20, 2007

Hello everyone,
I am new to the field and I am looking for all the help I can find on becoming a nurse. I have no idea where to start and where to go. I imagine I have to become a CNA, then and LPN and then work at becoming an RN. If I am right, can anyone help me in getting information about becoming CNA Certified?
I think I finally found what I want to do with my life and I hope you can all help me make this journey, as comfortable as possible.
Thanks to everyone in advance.
Sincerely,
Kwame

You don't have to become a CNA or LPN to get your RN. It would help if we knew if you were already out of high school and thinking college, or already in the work force doing something else. Depending on where you are depends on what you would need to do. Like if you have any college under your belt yet.

There are two different routes to getting your RN. There is a 2 year associates degree and the 4 year bachelor's degree. Many people chose to become a CNA and work as one while in school to get exposure to healthcare in general. I would recomend it becuase you will learn so much. My advice would be to go to a local community college and speak with a guidance counselor. They can help you lay out a career path and show you how to get to where you want to be with your career. Best of luck to you and keep asking questions!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2007

Good advice from above. The best thing to do is to contact your local nursing school and make an appointment with an advisor.

kodum28 · Jun 21, 2007

You don't have to become a CNA or LPN to get your RN. It would help if we knew if you were already out of high school and thinking college, or already in the work force doing something else. Depending on where you are depends on what you would need to do. Like if you have any college under your belt yet.
There are two different routes to getting your RN. There is a 2 year associates degree and the 4 year bachelor's degree. Many people chose to become a CNA and work as one while in school to get exposure to healthcare in general. I would recomend it becuase you will learn so much. My advice would be to go to a local community college and speak with a guidance counselor. They can help you lay out a career path and show you how to get to where you want to be with your career. Best of luck to you and keep asking questions!!

Hi Zozzy777,

That was very good information. I am currently getting out of the mortgage sector and looking for a career. I have only taken a years worth of College work and so I am certainly going back to the school to find out if nursing is an available course. At that point I think I will have a better idea of where to proceed. I believe so strongly this is the career for me. I only hope i can find a good school to give me the training i need.

Thanks again for all the help.

willdgate · Jun 25, 2007

Different people start in nursing coming from different backgrounds. I would recommend someone to shadow a nurse or ask a nurse who is a friend questions about the profession, before going to nursing school to find out if it's for them.

deeDawntee, RN · Jun 27, 2007

I would say go for your RN if you decide the nursing field is for you. The pay differential is well worth it and a 2 year ADN degree is really not that long if you can swing it. I have known so many LPN's that really regretted not getting that RN degree right away. It can be very difficult to stop working to go back for the RN. I worked in a group home on the night shift when I was in nursing school, which actually worked great, because it gave me time to study at work.

Nursing is such a broad field, there will be so many options open to you when you get out. I have two friends who got teaching degrees (elementary ed) who have had a very difficult time getting the jobs they wanted. For nurses we are so lucky that we are in such demand. If you don't like a situation, try something else. I tried seven different nursing positions in the first 2 years I was a nurse until I found the right fit, now I have been at the same hospital for 7 years. It is culturally acceptable to try different areas. I never was turned down for a job I applied for and if anyone asked why I didn't stay at a job very long I said it was just not the right fit for me and that was all it took. They accepted that answer.