raefactor

I didn't ask for opinions on whether or not I should go into nursing. I asked what the most doable program, in their opinion, might be. I probably should have edited my title better (since it was originally "can you do nursing school without a car?, and I tossed in the severe fatigue part last minute) but the question in my post was essentially "which program would be easiest for me? ADN/BSN/DEMSN?" Maybe I'll try to make a better title.

Your reply was probably the most helpful, Boog's Girl; I was just frustrated by the attitude that just because I get tired easily there's NO way to do what I want. This is the same crappy attitude I've gotten from EVERYONE in my life. I'm sorry, but they told me I would never make it through college, the stress would kill me, I should just go home and be on disability-- and I'm graduating with a 3.2 from one of the top 9 universities in the U.S. in a matter of months. So no, I'm not going to take kindly to people replying to my request for info on which is the most doable program with "oh, you should just choose a different job." I didn't ASK for opinions on whether or not I should go into nursing with my limitations. I ASKED which option would be the most feasible. So yes, people trying to tell me my business and discourage me from something I KNOW I am indeed capable of (even if I go the ADN method, which you kindly suggested), is going to rub any sick/disabled person the wrong way! I've done extensive research into medical school, and by the time I'm ready to go there and do my residency, I'm sure I will have something worked out. :) By then I may be on a new medicine, or I may be in an electric wheelchair, or I may work something out with the school I'm working with so that I get Wednesdays off or something. I'm 100% capable of doing whatever I want to do in life, if other people will stop standing in my way telling me that I can't! Don't they teach the social model of disability in nursing school anymore? Would you guys discourage someone with kids from trying to become a nurse practitioner? I would think someone with kids is far more limited than someone who can't *stand* on hard floors for excessive periods of time!

I love the ablism in this thread. No, of course there has never been a doctor using an electric wheelchair for work or their internships! How silly of me! It's not like I have friends with severe diseases who made it through! And I like how no one even answered my question about not having a car-- maybe it's a given that people carpool or something. Anyways, despite the ignorant and closed-minded attitude here (seriously, has no one here even heard of exceptional nurse or the disabled physicians organization???), I'm looking forward to medical school.

I think for now I'm going to work a high-paying office job while I finish my pre-reqs for medical school. If they're both going to be intense and demanding and take ~5 years, I might as well come out with making more money, lol. I have some friends who are now doctors and have similar (sometimes worse) health problems, and they did alright. It sounds more doable, I think.

I'm certain there are jobs available that I can do. I want to go into psych/mental health eventually, so I can do counseling as a backup. I honestly don't understand why there's any reason for me not to go into nursing! I'm not blind or a quadriplegic, I just have trouble walking on hard floors all day. What kind of work are the NPs you know doing? I intend to work in an office, so 12 hours shifts would be hard to come by, lol. I expect I'll try to get a schedule with Wednesdays off or something, so I can rest. There are so many other career options to go into, from home health coordination to psychiatric counseling to whatever else comes up. I was planning on going into medicine, and nursing is a slightly more doable backup for me. I can do anything I set my mind to, I just need some time to rest if I have to be on my feet a lot. I don't see why that would preclude me from being a nurse practitioner, just getting through clinicals. If I can just get through the standing-on-my-feet bit of the first two years or so, I don't see why it should be a huge deal for me to get some online RN-to-MSN training.

I really want to be a nurse practitioner. Unfortunately, the first year or two of any nursing program requires CLINICALS. For starters, I have a genetic disorder (and some hormone problems) that make it impossible for me to be on my feet all day every day. The most I can handle is 2-3 days of clinicals per week, with a rest day in between. I have a BA in Psychology (or will in a few months, at least). What's my best bet for low-paced clinicals? ADN, second BSN, Direct Entry MSN? For another thing, I'm not allowed to drive right now because of very small seizures! So even if I could somehow get family to drive me to a nursing school a couple of times a week, is there any hope of me getting to clinicals?

yes, thanks.

um, but wouldn't I transfer things? I seriously doubt any college in their right mind would put someone coming out of 4 years of college with properly transfering GER's into their freshman year. Anyways, it's only another two years to continue on with my BA from here if I decide to keep on at this same university, so it would be 4, not 6. And I am aware of the clinical work I'd have to do to get where I want to be... like I said, I can handle it for a few years if I know that ultimately there will be more flexibility.

I didn't mean that being trained as a CNA/phlebotomist would count towards credentials, but rather that maybe some of the classes would count towards transfer credit or something. At any rate, I assume the experience would look better than nothing on the application. Still playing with theories... would it be about the same just to get a BA in something and do the accelerated BSN? Time and moneywise, anyways?

also, I do not expect to ultimately work in a hospital or anything. I'd like to do a combination of research and overseas/urban charity work. i.e. serving the underserved. I can get through the school part if I know it's not going to last too much longer. I'm just really drained and exhausted from school right now.

I have taken statistics, psychology (actually SEVERAL psych classes), sociology, anatomy and physiology I and II, and several other classes. I'm trained as a CNA but transferred schools right before the test was offered. I was also trained as a phlebotomist (at the same time, so same issue with testing). I've done clinicals and everything. I don't know if that helps. ETA: by the time I get the AA I will have spent 4 years in college, so I would hope I wouldn't have to spend too much more time in school! If I were to go the RN-MSN-NP route I think I'd be content with 5-7 years more in school, but honestly I'm so burnt out already and I'm not even 20 yet.

okay, also... what if I were to do my ADN then jump straight to an MSN? Can anyone tell me what the basic requirements for NP program admission usually is? I mean, could I get my ADN, become an RN, then go straight to into my MSN degree with an RN-MSN program? Or would I be just as well off going the RN-BSN route? Or just straight BSN? Haha, I have no idea what to do with my life. -_- all I know is that school is killing me with my health problem/disability and I need to be done asap. :)

I'm about to graduate from a prestigious US university with an associate of the arts degree and a 3.0+ gpa. I ultimately want to be a nurse practitioner. I'd like to be a registered/BSN nurse in 2 years or less, or, alternatively, a nurse practitioner in 4. Either way, really. Suggestions? I'm stumped. Schools can be pretty much anywhere in the US or Canada. ^_^ Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm currently in school right now getting my BA in Linguistics or else Linguistics/Psychology. Eventually I would like to do medical work in places overseas (I'm in the US) where medical care is limited or non-existent. Sort of like a doctor without borders, except that I don't want to be a doctor. My current plan is to take bio and micro classes now, finish school with my BA, and go the accelerated BSN route, then get either NPC or DrNP. Originally I was considering becoming a PA, but now I think being an NP would be much better for the following reasons: -It would be easier for me to find work if I didn't have to be directly under the supervision and license of a doctor.* -I like that you get a different degree every year or so, i.e. RN/BSN, NPC, etc., and also that you can easily expand it with more titles depending on what you need to do. More stability, I think, in getting your RN in one year then moving on, as opposed to two-three years of grad school before anything. -My personality type is better suited to an accelerated nursing program than PA school. so questions: * Can someone please help me find out what the regulations are for nurse practitioners overseas? What kind of certifications would I need to practice there? Can NP's work independently in, say, Sudan? Tibet? I don't even know where to start looking. Also, what kind of job/degree would be best for me? BSN, then what? MSN? can you go straight from a BSN to NP training? Is FPNP a good idea for that sort of work? Thanks so much, I appreciate the advice! -Rachel