Not a nurse, but want to be.

Q. · Nov 2, 2005

I was wondering if someone could answer my nursing quesitons. I'm currently going to school online to get my associates in health administration. It makes no sense to me why I'm going to school for my associates in health administration, when I need my associates in nursing to take that nclex exam to be an RN. I tried transfering to a school online for associates in nursing, but my state doesn't go along with it! Isn't that rediculous! So yeah, I guess my question is should I finish my associates in health degree, and then transfer to a nursing program? I'm just so confused! I would love someone to help me!

Why did you enroll in a health administration program to start with?

I'm confused as to what you mean about your state not "going along with" your transferring programs. Could you elaborate?

aryahsmom84 · Nov 2, 2005

They told me I would be able to be a nurse by taking the program. I wasn't going to school at all, so I was like sure! I called the nursing school that I want to go to, and they said that Washington state doesn't recognize their program. And I said oh okay thanks anyways.

casi, ASN, RN · Nov 2, 2005

First thing I would do is check around at your local community colleges and see if any offer nursing programs, and if they offer the pre-reqs in the form of online courses (If you want online). Then give them a call and request info.

I would also suggest sitting down with a counsler and seeing what of the program your in is transferable.

aryahsmom84 · Nov 2, 2005

My problem with that is that I don't even have a list of classes that I'm going to take. Right now I'm online taking my first classes, how could I find out what classes I'm going to take that are transferable? Is this what you did, or how did you go about being a nurse?

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 2, 2005

You find out what to take by deciding WHICH school of nursing you will attend, getting a degree plan, --- and knowing what classes are required for graduation. Once you see on paper what is required, it will become clearer what classes will transfer and what will not. If you are still unclear, an appt with your career counselor or a representative of the Nursing Department/College of Nursing at the University is your next step.

Good luck.

MIA-RN1, RN · Nov 2, 2005

If you are doing your classes online, how will you do your clinicals? Clinical experience in school is mandated in order to become a nurse.

If I were in your shoes, I would withdraw from the online program and go to a local school.

Q. · Nov 2, 2005

If I were in your shoes, I would withdraw from the online program and go to a local school.

That is my recommendation also. Chances are not many of your classes for your health administration program will transfer into a nursing one.

aryahsmom84 · Nov 2, 2005

My problem with that is I have a 3 year old daughter, and I need to work full time to pay for bills. How am I going to work full time and go to school full time. I don't see my daughter being in daycare that long. Did anyone else work full time and go to school for nursing full time, and take care of children??

aryahsmom84 · Nov 2, 2005

I guess that when I'm done with this associates in health administration, I can get a job at a doctor's office. I'm not so sure what kind of job it will be, does anyone know, lol. When I'm done with that online degree-associates in health administration than I can transfer to the nursing program to do my clinicals and all.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 2, 2005

It will be extraordinally HARD to work fulltime and go to nursing school fulltime and care for a small child. I would talk to people attending a program around you ---see if they even offer alternative schedules that may fit into your busy lifestyle. Some do have evening and night classes. Mine did not----it required a lot of people to work nightshift, or bite the bullet and quit work for a while to attend school. It's never easy.

Again, you need to decide on which school you would attend and ask these questions there. Some programs are more flexible than others. Mine was beyond inflexible. Some people even separated and divorced in the two years I was in school----it was incredibly stressful. I managed to graduate and do well, raising a toddler, but then, I did not work fulltime. Something MAY have to give for you to make it work---it may mean your cutting down your hours, finding another job, or rearranging your finances and quitting work to concentrate on attending school fulltime for 2 or 3 years (this is what my I did---we ate a lot of beans and chicken during that time, I tell ya--and we were on WIC too).

It CAN be done. You just will have to get creative and problem-solve how. I wish you the best of luck.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 2, 2005

I did not know there were associate degrees awarded in Health Care Administration. Learn something new every day. The Health Care Administrators I know all have MBA or MPH's where I am. I wish you luck, whatever comes your way. Let us know how you make out.