Pre nursing student need clarification and guidance

[kingdave]

I'm currently taking my final 6 nursing pre req classes and should have them complete by spring end of 2012. However, I have a few questions that I really need cleared up to I know what to expect going forward.

1) Nursing wise, what is the difference between going to a community college and getting an AND and becoming a RN and attending a 4 year institution and getting a BSN and becoming a RN?

2) This may sound unintelligent but why do some 4 year institutions only allow RN's admissions into their BSN+ program while some others only admit students who have a nursing degree from there school and or is a LVN/LPN/RN?

3) How do I become a surgical and or trauma nurse and is the process to become on overly complicated/competitive?

4) After getting my BSN I may (may) join the military as a nurse any advise?

5) Any other helpful information is greatly appreciated.

[loveblossom]

1)One is and ADN and one is a BSN,There is not much difference in pay on average but there are certain jobs that you can only have with a BSN.For example,My goal is to work in public health running a clinic and going out into the community to educate.The public health dept here requires me to have a BSN..You also need a BSN do do most of the administrative parts of nursing and some top notch hospitals ONLY accept BSN nurses.Also,in this economy it would not hurt to have the most education(although many BSN's are having a hard time as well).

2) Because all programs are different.All schools have different programs with different requirements.You need a variety of programs to fit the different needs of the nursing community.

3)Get your BSN and try to get into that specialty after a few years of experience,and Yes its competitive..but all areas are competitive at the moment.

4.I would join as a reserve NOW,so that the military could help to pay for my schooling....I Believe(not 100% sure) that you can sign up with the military now and they will pay for school,then you could join after college..

Search this site for most of your questions,and when you need advice about things other than school you should post them in the main forum because most of us here are students,The seasoned nurses could probably provide better answers to some of these questions.

[kingdave]

OMG! I'm finding the A&P class I enrolled in a bit to fast pace for my comfort level (Its been two weeks now and we are on exercise 10 of 40 in lab and chapter 5 of 16 in lecture; 18 week course). Its like I barely have time to absorb and digest information before more is introduced to me. Tomorrow I have a quiz in the lab and I don't feel confident in my ability to perform at my best (good thing one quiz gets tossed out). Overall, I feel a bit overwhelmed by the class since it seem to be taking all my time especially when it come to making flash card and homework. The experiance that I'm haveing in regards to the A&P class in currently enrolled in normal or did I get in over my head.