Prenursing student--confused?? What are my options?

[sixela21]

So I am a prenursing (ASN) student nearing the end of completion of my nursing prereqs for my program (at a Technical school in my area). I hold no previous degree--I changed majors while finishing the prereqs for a nutrition program at a major university in my city I was attending. I decided to make a change, but stayed in the health field which is a passion of mine. My question is: Where can I go from here? After this summer semester is over, I will only have Microbiology left to take this fall. I currently have a 4.0 with all of my transfer credits for prereqs and the classes I have taken at my current institution.

I am working a job in an unrelated field right now full-time while in school 4 days a week, but want to get some experience in the health field--maybe a little lower in the food chain? I considered a certificate program at my school for patient tech, medical assisting, anything to get a foot in the door, etc., but that would just be more classes that I don't have time for. The classes needed for this school's nursing program are no where near the requirements needed for many of the other nursing programs, including the university I just left. I really am leaning towards CNA--an institution near me has weekend classes that take two and a half months worth of Sat. classes to complete and then the exam.

So even if I got my RN from this institution and wanted to do RN to MSN, wouldn't I still need that 60-70 hrs of just Gen ed classes that I didn't get from this institution or from the previous time at the other university because it was a different program with different coursework? I will have to wait an entire year to start the nursing program--next fall 2013, and most nursing schools are set up this way, so there's no where around it in my area. Are there any hospital jobs that can be obtained with minimal to no experience? I live in Atl. area.

I really want to be able to complete an RN to MSN program once finishing my coursework at this institution, but it may leave me having to take extra classes to meet the gen ed requirements..it doesn't make sense to me..should I just bite the bullet and go for the BSN? I ultimately want to be a DNP in Pediatrics. I'm still in my very early twenties, but eager to get out there and start my career! I want to be so done with school like yesterday! But success doesn't come easy I guess...thank you for your time and patience..

[badwolf]

I am not totally sure, and I'm sure others on the site are more knowledgeable, but I looked up the RN-MSN programs at some of my local schools and they require you to have had a certain amount of pre-reqs in addition to your nursing classes (English, humanities, etc.).

I would suggest that you call some of the schools in your area and speak with the Advising Dept. to find out what they would require.

Good luck!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You'll need to speak to an Admissions Adviser at the school or schools that interest you, period. They will be able to tell you exactly what you need to fulfill their requirements.

You ask if there are any hospital jobs for "minimal to no experience"; do you mean once you have a RN license? If that's what you mean, then of course, they're called 'new grad' positions. If you're talking about ANY job, I think you might be talking about a PCT (patient care tech) which requires no certifications, just the ability to learn how to take vital signs and do baths, toileting, etc.

I appreciate how eager you are to "start your career" but you have several years ahead of you...and you seem, well, all over the map in terms of what you want and how you want to get there.

Talk to a school adviser (or two or three) and find out what you need to do first, second, etc.

Best of luck to you.

[deanew]

I am pursuing my nursing degree, but have absolutely no experience in the medical field. I job got a PRN Admissions position in the ER. I won't get hands on experience but I will get to see all kinds of things and I will have my foot in the door at a hospital when I get my degree. We all have to start somewhere. There are all kind of administration positions at hospitals and PRN are great if you need flexibility in your schedule.

[sixela21]

No, not necessarily RN positions. I am well aware of the fact that there are positions for new grads out there and even for those still finishing up their clinical rotations. You have to start somewhere. I was more referring to people who have no formal training and/or certificates and are working in the medical field. In regards to being "all over the map," I am simply trying to find the most efficient and cost-effective way to get through this. At my age, most people are finishing up their first degrees, and I had a few previous set backs and am currently working in an unrelated field to pay the bills because it is the only thing I have previous experience in. My previous degree was health/medical related, but would not have ultimately landed me the position I wanted. What I want is simple--to be a nurse, and I don't intend to take any "shortcuts" in getting there, just trying to find out the best way to do it without wasting, time, money, or energy unnecessarily. Thank you for your advice, and good luck to you as well. =)