Please give me your advice and input

Published

My wife recently posted about my aspirations of becoming a nurse. (THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT REPLIES)

I am 42 years old without any formal education, so I'll be starting from scratch. I've been in the same position for over 20 years which is comfortable but I'm not happy and I don't want to be doing this for the next 15 - 20 yrs.

My concern is that I don't want to be going to school for the next 6 yrs.

I've been browsing the different forums (which can go on for hours) and found alot of advice but I wanted to post one of my own.

I'm thinking the quickest way to becoming an RN would be to go through an LVN program, in which Concord offers a 1 yr or 2 yr program then do a bridge to RN program (not sure exactly what this is or how long but from what I've read it is quicker).

Any other thoughts about getting this done correctly but quickly.

I know there are many differences in opinions on Distant learning but my time is limited as I'm sure there are others in the same boat.

Anyone out there want to talk about DL possibilies, you can also email me if you don't want to discuss here.

I'm open to suggestions.

THANKS SO MUCH!!! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, BUT I'M READY FOR THE JOURNEY.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How would you learn skills? Nursing is a combination of knowledge and skill. Plus, to "become" a nurse usually requires observation of other nurses. I think online education is great (got most of my BSN and all of MSN online), but I wonder how you will learn the skills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

You would definitely need to take an onsite rather than distance program because of the skill factor. You are in California? What would the cost of an LVN program vs an RN program? What would be the source of family income while you are a student? Do you want the quickest, the cheapest or the easiest way to get out and start earning a salary. All these are factors.

Personally If I had it to do over I'd have stayed in my BSN program and delayed getting married. Of course that was 40 years ago and I wouldn't have my DH and 2 great kids.

The LPN to RN bridge is good in theory, but will you actually stay in the program or do you think you will work "just a little while and return later?"

Like I said 40 years and I never returned. I got a BA in the interim but even now wish I'd gotten the BS.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How would you learn skills? Nursing is a combination of knowledge and skill. Plus, to "become" a nurse usually requires observation of other nurses. I think online education is great (got most of my BSN and all of MSN online), but I wonder how you will learn the skills.

I agree, I don't want to do it all online, but I was thinking more of the prereqs and classes as such. That is why I was thinking LVN to get some nursing experience.

thanks much,

P_RN:

Thanks for your reply. I'm really not looking for the cheapest or the easiest way out but the quickest. I just don't think I can go through a traditional program at a junior college. However, I do want the best education and training possible.

Take care,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, SCI/TBI Rehab,RX Research, Psych.

I agree with the previous post in regards to picking up skills...HOWEVER...with correspondence/distance learning courses, you still have to complete a clinical competency in order to receive a nursing degree.

I looked into this myself a few years ago (I've been an LVN since 1993)---the clinical evaluations are given in major cities (depends on where you live)---and are very, very intense. The way it was presented to me, clinicals involved 2-3 "performances" before an evaluating nurse..where you were fully expected to get it right the first time, without any prompting from the evaluator--simply based on having "learned by theory". That is scary-scary-scary. I quickly decided against it, because of the clinical eval. process. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing RIGHT.

If you're wanting to be the best nurse possible, get your initial training in a class-room setting, where you have the benefit of attending clinical training. You'll have personalized guidance from your instructors & have the benefit of learning from your student peers. Correspondence/self-paced learning leaves room for a horrifying margin for error in how you'll commit things to memory, too. Nursing is one (of many) field where simply 'reading' through a process or procedure will NOT mean that the person is competent.

I'd hate to have someone taking care of a loved one (or me) who'd learned all their "skills" by reading through the steps like a recipe...as opposed to having had been taught proper techniques & have had opportunity for return demonstrations of competency. There's no assurance that what you read will be properly applied without the clinical guidance.

There are just so many aspects of nursing where the "see one, do one, teach one" philosophy holds true. You need the 'hands-on' experiences, not to mention, the interaction with your clinical rotation patients. (Learning therapeutic communication & nurse/patient relations certainly doesn't come from a book.) ....not to mention, the role modeling that takes place, both in the classroom setting, as well as on clinical rotations :nurse:

Good luck!:twocents:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

It's not how quick you become an RN that matters but the quality of the educational expirience that is important. With that said I would look to a local ADN program and complete. No offence to LVN but I think it would be a waste of time to get LVN and then continue the educcation to obtain an RN given the parameters you placed on the advice and your situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion