SSValentine

What's the difference between an LPN and an RN? If I complete two years of nursing education courses, to gain an ASN, will this prepare me to practice as an LPN or RN? A bit confused about this . . . please help!

Thank you all so much for the recommendations. I am going to visit a school today that offers both programs (certificate in MA and AS in nurse education), but since I've been advised by some of you to bypass medical assisting (if I'm sure I want to get into nursing), I think I'll consider simply taking prerequisites now. I used to want to figure things out for myself, but now, I'm thinking it's wiser to take advice from those more experienced!

I met a Medical Assistant at the doctor's office the other day. I asked her if she liked her job and she said she did, and had been doing it for four years. I wanted to ask her what her salary was, and if it had ever increased. For those of you working as a MA, would you care to volunteer how much you make/made right out of school? And/or are you happy with the pay? Overall, how happy are you in your job? Thanks to all of you who have already volunteered loads of useful and inspiring information. It means a lot to me. Sorry to sound cheesy. . . I already owe $17K in student loans, and if I do decide to make another investment, I want to make sure i'm making the right decision this time around. *anxious whimper* So, thanks again.

Oh wow, thank you all so much for all of the good advice. I see now that my options are not as limited as I imagined them to be. Thanks for the encouragement and support!

Has anyone worked as a medical assistant, then gone on to pursue nursing? There are no pre-nursing programs in my state (MA), at least that I can find, and I have no work or volunteer experience in healthcare. Is this an OK place to start? Could a degree/certificate in medical assisting possibly increase my chances of getting into an ADN or BSN program, or would it make no difference? I would prefer to begin, if need be, as a nursing assistant, but there are no programs for that around here either.

Thank you, thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I'd feel better if there were a pre-nursing program I could apply to, but there are none in my area at all! God Bless all who have done it, and are thankful, and those who are trying, and are hopeful.

Thank you so much for your advice. I live near Boston, and some direct-entry programs, or so I've been told by the schools, are geared towards enrolling freshman. Two schools nearby aren't even considering transfers for the fall, some only on a "space-available" basis. I haven't seen a school yet with "pre-nursing." Is this a major? One college recommends that you take a number of courses (2 sem worth) before applying to the BSN program. I asked an advisor if I could enroll full-time to take those classes, and she said I could do so as a liberal arts major. Does it make sense to do this? I"m thinking it might also increase my chances of getting into a BSN program to first complete an ADN. I'm just worried sick over this. I really want to become a nurse, I want to help people in this way, but I just don't know the best way to begin. I am a bit anxious hearing about how competive these programs are, and how some schools have waiting lists. What if I take the pre-reqs, do really well, and am still not admitted? Sorry to vent like this. I would just like to know that if I work hard and do whatever it takes, that I will be given a chance. Right now, I'm not even sure I will be given that opportunity.

I'm reading that sometimes it behooves the individual, in some cases, to train as a CNA, gain experience in that field for awhile, and then go after a BSN (if need/desired). Would being a CNA dramatically improve one's chances of getting into nursing school (given there are good grades, good work performance, time put in as a volunteer, and so on)?

Hello everybody. I was hoping someone might have an opinion about this situation. A certain nursing program recommends that you complete 27 credits in core requirements before applying to that program. I was told that I could apply as a liberal arts major, register full time to complete these courses, then apply? Is this a good idea, or not? I'm thinking, if I can achieve a high gpa, then I'll probably be accepted, esp. if I can volunteer in health or human services in the meantime, right? Or, do I still run the risk of being turned away? How competitive are most of these programs? Are there any schools anyone knows of that are not as competitive (that are worth attending)? Thanks for listening. Please help if you can!

I am a 26 year old woman, with two B.A. degrees (English and History). I would love to become a Nurse. I understand that at most colleges, it is difficult to get into the program, esp. if your prior course of study did not include math or science. One college in Boston recommends that you take two semesters of classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, Statistics, Algebra, Biology, Microbiology, and so on, before applying to the nursing program. This makes sense. My question is, does anyone know if I could apply as a full time student (non-degree?), take these classes, and if I do exceptionally well, do I stand a chance of being accepted into a nursing program? I'm also willing to seek out volunteer opportunities, which i'm hoping would improve my chances. Any advice? An advisor from a local state college recommended that I take a class, but I can't afford to do this without financial aid. Has anyone been in this situation? Are some schools in the country more inclined, or willing to accept more transfer or older students (as opposed to freshman)? Any comments or advice would be sincerely appreciated. Take care, and thanks so much.