Patient Care now required for RN Program

[TotallyTaurus]

I currently work at a hospital in my area and was told by one of the RN's who recently graduated that the program she was in at Polk Community College is now requiring that when you apply to the RN program you have to be working in a patient care job. Is this the case where any of you may live??? I currently work in registration/admissions and to change to a patient care position I would not be able to live on wages they pay. If I enroll in an LPN program & then bridge to RN I could then do it. The only thing I am having a problem with is going to school 5 days a week & working Sat & Sun for 12 hours each day & I have a 15 month old right now. I wouldn't be able to get into a program until August of next year. I know you can accomplish anything if you want it bad enough but I don't want to be blind to the fact that I will have no free time for 1 year. Is it worth it???? You bet it is!!!

I am deteremined that I want to do this even though I am scared.

[Jules A, MSN]

I would check it out with the College before you get too concerned to find out exactly what their requirements are. In the meantime I would do as many pre-reqs as you can for both your LPN and the RN program. Between working and school I didn't have a life for 3 years but like you said it was so worth it! Good luck.

[Jolie, BSN]

Please check directly with the program you are considering attending.

It is not unusual to require candidates to have taken a CNA course prior to enrolling in an LPN or RN program.

I am not aware of any entry-level nursing program that requires students to be employed during their schooling. Some Master's level programs require this, but not any basic LPN or RN programs, to my knowledge.

[p2o8]

:nurse:i am very proud to say that i have given everything i had to spare and then some to graduate as an lpn in just 9 days!! it has been a very long, arduous battle. worth it you ask, hell yes. i have a family also. i am the very proud parent to seven children and i am married to the most supportive husband. i have lost major time with all of them, but what i have gained for myself and from them as a 39 year old is more than words can explain.

sorry to go off topic. i believe every nursing program should require at least 1 year as a stna/cna in a skilled facility before you are accepted. it will make you a better nurse. you will understand the meaning of delegating in a professional manner, respect of your co-workers, and most importantly respect and understanding of your patients.

the worlds biggest population is going to overrun our long-term care facilities now in the next 5-8 years, we do not have the staff or the facilities to care for our baby-boomers.

remember that no matter what field of nursing you go into, their is always patient care. that is what we do, who we are, and what we love.

best wishes to you. good luck and have fun on your journey to becoming a nurse.