Nursing Career - Where to start?

[Darwinsthumb]

Hello,

I am interested in a career in nursing, primarily in geriatrics, hospice or a nursing home. I have absolutely no medical experience (well, not with people, only in a veterinarian setting) and don't know how to begin. I have gone online to look at my different career options (nurse assistant, LPN, CN...) but am not sure what order I proceed in. The advice given to me was to become an LPN first to ensure that I enjoy the job. Is this sound advice? Also, I will be moving from Colorado to Michigan in two years. Should I wait to start school until I am Michigan (I hate to wait two years but I remember the hassle I went through when I transferred to another college in the same state - A whole semester worth of classes didn't transfer and it took me that much longer to get my BA).

Any advice on how to start? I have also emailed a few colleges but they seem more intent on getting me to enroll then handing out advice.

Thank you,

Jeanie

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

If you're unsure about nursing, try becoming a CNA just to get a feel for patient care and what nursing is all about.

Since you are moving you might consider getting your LPN first since that doesn't take but one year....if you can get in right away. However, LPNs don't enjoy a wide variety of opportunties.

I would advise making getting an RN your goal for better money and a wider variety of opportunties. You might start by taking the co-req and pre-req classes now such as the social sciences and things like Anatomy & Phisology and Microbiolgy.

Two years probably isn't enough time to get an RN. So you might get started there with the idea you continue on to RN school in Colorodo. Or get your LPN with the idea you're go LPN to RN in Colorado.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I see I got it backwards you're moving to Michigan, not Colorado. Same advice though. :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I agree with Tweety. Before you make the commitment, you need to get more information about what nursing is all about.

Then, if you decide nursing is a 'go' - analyze the degree requirements for several possible schools in Michigan. You may find that a lot of our BA courses could easily be transferred - especially the basic courses such as English, basic math, etc. The only way you will know for sure is to have your transcript analyzed by the receiving school.

In the meantime, take the must-have courses like anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, algebra, statistics - doesn't sound like much fun, does it? This is the dark 'underside of the nursing iceberg' that most people aren't aware of. Oh - and keep in mind that GPA is extremely important just to get into N school. If you're a bit rusty on science or math, it may be better to take one or two courses at a time.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.