No experience in Nursing but wants to start a Career in Nursing!! PLEASE HELP!

[Aloha86]

Aloha,

I have just found this website by surfing the net because I am interested in becoming a Nurse. This website has been really awesome and I did register to be apart of this wonderful team. I have no experience in Nursing, the only experience that I have is in the Travel/Airline Industry. I am 22 years old and I want to start my classes to get into Nursing School.

I do have a couple of questions and I know for some schools they recommend that you take pre-requisite courses first.

1. How long has it took for you to finish the pre-requisite courses?

2. How long has it been till you've been accepted in Nursing School?

3. If I want to go to school Full-Time and take my Pre-requisite do you think it could get done in 1 year?

4. How long does it take to grad from Nursing School?

5. Is it worth the try?

6. Did you have any experience before being accepted in Nursing School?

I apologize in advance for the many questions but I really do hope that someone can help me out. I am really excited about starting a career I mean after working for 4 years ever since i've graduated high school I want to put my all in something that I know I will benefit from in the long run. I have no problem with working hard now and cramming up my classes to get a head start because I know that it will all pay off in the end. I really want to be on high hopes with this and I know I'm 22 but I really want to make my parents proud and happy and let them know that I am trying my best to be something in life.

Please if you have any answers to any of my questions or just how you got started in this career that will be VERY HELPFUL. It is so funny because ever since i've become of this team I have a composition book writing down the many useful tips and tricks :wink2: from all you wonderful people.

Thank you so much in advance,

- TheNewBee!

[MaritesaRN]

Welcome!

There are two types of nursing programs, one is a two year program Associate degree program (if you go full time), and the other is a 4 year bachelor's degree program.

Completion of both programs allow you to sit for the NCLEX exam, the national licensing exam that all nurses must pass to call themself an RN.

For me, I went back to school at the age of 32. To apply to the nursing program:

-I had to have an ACT score above 24...

-Be CPR certified

-Complete a Certified Nursing Assistant course

I was then placed on a waiting list for a year, started in Jan of 2007, and am getting ready to graduate in December!

While I was on the waiting list, I took all the non-nursing, but required courses I had to take to complete the program. In some schools these are pre requisites.

I already had english, writing, and speech, basic chemistry, basic biology, psychology, and microbiology.

I took two semesters of anatomy and physiology, sociology, developmental psychology, and medical terminology while on the waiting list.

I know I see a lot of people going into the nursing profession not because of the calling, but a supposedly "secure" job.

First , you need to know if you can even stand blood or guts or whatever...cause if you don't the anatomy course will kill you right there...not to mention the organic chemistry and the algebra pre req's...it is not easy but if you are determined .... you can. Nursing schools are better now, and they have teachers that are more down to earth and not ogres in comparison to some old school w/ their ogre teachers. It was terrible !! by the time you are done or got out, you already have a PTSD !!

and can not even give a simple enema thinking it may kill the patient. figure that out !Private schools have sprouted all over for nursing (lots of bucks) to accomodate those who can not wait or go traditional nursing school. But the pre requisites of sciences are a must, and this where you should space them out realistically in semesters, and do not overload w/ the sciences at one semester....you will crash and burn. It is going to be more than a year.......best bet is go to a community school and have them evaluate your transcripts....you will know how long you need to go to school. Best of luck to you!! and welcome...

[dani_girl]

Aloha,

Yes you can do both.. as long as you have the time.. When I lived in Oahu, I took a CNA course that was on weekends only bout +100 hours.. (so a couple weeks..) If it isn't required then it is up to you.. some people say take it, some say no.. I took the class to get use to some of the things going on, and be more comfortable skill wise with some things.. but they will teach you in nursing school to.. so it is up to you.

good luck