newbie @ nursing

Welcome aboard! You can become an LVN first and begin working and pursue your RN while working as an LVN.

Best wishes to you. :)

message posted twice.....pc is running very slow today (i apologize for that)

Welcome!

You can become an LVN first and then work while pursuing your RN.

Community colleges offer the two year ASN/ADN degree. 4-year schools offer the BSN or Bsc. Nursing degree. They are both valid paths to an RN. For most people the decision to pursue the ADN or BSN is based on location, waitlist, prior education and financial situations. It is a very personal choice. :innerconf

In some states I have heard that they allow nursing studnet to challenge the licensing exam(NCLEX-PN) for LVN's after the first two or three semesters. Other posters may be able to give you better info on this.

I do know that many nurisng students get jobs as pateint care techs and CNA's in hospitals during school. These positions allow them to gain valuable clinical experience and take advatage of many hospital tuition reimbursment plans, scholarships and money hospitals like to throw around to lure, opps I meant ATTRACT, future graduate nurses.:chuckle

Whatever you decided ADN-RN or BSN-RN you will take the NCLEX upon graduating and if you pass become an RN.

If you are still very young (under 35), live at home and have considerable parental support, go straight for the RN. Being an LVN/LPN is great, but get your education while you have so many family members willing to provide money and support.

If you CAN go straight for the BSN-RN, do it. It will make graduate school easier in the future. Eduacation is a great thing to have!

Contact you state BON (Board of nursing). They will be able to give you information on nursing students challenging the LVN boards. They will also be able to give you loads of information about the different types of nurisng schools in your area as well as a wealth of scholarship money to study nursing.

Contact the Student Nursing Association as well as local hospitals for info too. A quick GOOGLE search should be sufficient.

Try and shadow a local LVN and RN to see up close what they do.

Good luck on your journey. You have picked a wonderful and wide open profession. :balloons:

Hi! I'm thinking of taking up nursing here in vegas. My dad wants me to think twice before becoming a registered nurse so he said why not be a LVN/LPN first.

Your Dad is a wise man :)

I think I'll take the ADN. 1) Do I have to take an exam to become a LVN?

As for becoming an RN, I've heard of CGFNS, 2) am I required to take both CGFNS and NCLEX? I've already selected 2 places where I plan on working -- Vegas and California (to be as far away from my family as possible hehehehe.... I want to try living on my own).

3) How much do CNAs or patient care techs earn?

4) Which is better online or on-site schools? In terms of tuition fees and job opportunities?

I think I'll take the ADN. 1) Do I have to take an exam to become a LVN?

Yes, u have to pass boards as an LVN also.

As to where u want to practice- there are SO many travel nurse jobs that pay for your housing etc when u work a contract for them. It's an excellent option in nursing...

one of many.

:)

wow it's been 4 yrs since i posted this message. i skipped cna and lpn and went straight for nursing school. i'm officially an RN...yey! thanks for all the inputs!

That's wonderful, congratulations!!!