Living4Peace

Nursing school is difficult due to the volume of information, not because of its content, in my experience. If you have made it this far you can go all the way. Don't listen to those that complain and are negative, that is their experience and the reason why they are having such a tough time has a lot to do with their mind frame. Positive thinking brings about positive results. Yes, nursing does require a different thought process as there is hardly ever one "correct" answer, but you will adjust and begin to acknowledge patterns. God bless!!!

Well thought. I do agree with some of your points. I guess I have to agree to disagree with you on some of them but I see where you are coming from. And I even more appreciate it that you wrote to me without an air of condescension.

Do they not do their rotations??? That in tandem with classroom information provides them with a bases to practice. I am tired of hearing how little clinical experience NPs have, especially in comparison to PAs. If one was to think critically they would realize that NPs have a specialty, PAs do not. With that being said NPs spend their clinical time within their chosen practice. PAs only have more contact hours because they see a bit of everything. I don't know if you asked the question rhetorically or not, and I am not going to come to this thread to debate. I expressed my views, take them or leave them, just give me my due respect.....if not, I'm taking it

Nice try, but you're not funny nor was your statement analogous. "Howsabout" you bring the condescension to a halt and then we can have an intelligent conversation, or at least to the extent that you can.

What we have here is a conflict of the new state of nurses versus what nursing was in the past. I will admit, much of what many older nurses hold on to is antiquated. Nursing is moving in another direction and that is not a bad thing. I get that the NP role was designed for "seasoned" nurses to pursue higher education as mid-level providers, but things have changed. We now have new: technology, physiological information, and pharmacological information. Students are entering direct entry MSN programs with no bedside experience but with a solid clinical base to see and treat patients. Much of the contention in this thread seems to revolve around inexperience and how that makes for an unprepared NP. Well, the role of the bedside nurse and the duty of the NP can't be paralled. Sure, seasoned bedside nurses have seen first-hand maladies and are familiar with how to care for them as a bedside nurse. NPs deal with the maladies and how to diagnose and treat them. Being that the job entails different approaches, I surmise that a nurse that hasn't had years of experience is very well capable of being a competent NP considering they took their education seriously during school and have the mental capacity to make the physiological connections.

As others have stated I would suggest trying to get into an accelerated nursing program. It usually is about a year to complete, and it seems like you have most of the prereqs, and if you don't but have them all completed you still can be accepted as long as you have them completed by the time of entry into the program. On another note, if you don't have the time to devote to full-time study that an accelerated program would accompany I suggest getting an Associate's degree. Your options may be limited, but you will have options. Do what you can afford, not only financially but circumstantially. Being a nurse with an ADN is ok, you can still get hired. As for becoming an LPN>RN, don't waste your time. The time put into that could be used towards becoming an RN and getting to your end goal faster. Being a CNA as you work towards your goal of becoming a nurse while in school might be a good idea. Moreover, don't allow people to get into your head and think of ADN nurses are inferior. The test of time has shown that they are as competent as their BSN counterparts or else the option of getting a degree as a RN from a community college would have long been done away with. The debate is solely political. Nursing is about supplying your patients with care. As a profession their are intricacies, but a lot of it is basic care and critical thinking. ADN offering schools can equip a student with these skills just as well as any other.

Someone must always come in a thread and belittle another, it goes without fail. Sadly, the original poster did not use spell check but you also did not check your attitude at the door. You are dismissed!

Whoops, check comment below!

First of all, it bothers me when people underestimate the standard of education taught at community colleges. In no way are they learning a dilute form of information or anything substandard when it comes to their nursing education. It generally takes two years to complete a nursing degree at a community college (actually more when you consider the prerequisites). Keep in mind that universities of a BSN have their students take two years of general education and prerequisites and then TWO years of nursing training (either way the training is two years). Many people don't take that into consideration. If one was to really think about things critically whether you are getting your ADN or BSN you are getting the same amount of clinical hours, reading the same text books and thus gaining the same knowledge. I understand that it is good to have an advanced degree as it makes you a more well-rounded nurse due to certain classes that are imperative at the BSN lever, but what I will not stand for is people esteeming nurses that have been taught at the ADN level to be regarded as inferior clinicians in comparison to their BSN counterparts.

Hey. First of all congratulations on being a new student. We need more men in this profession. Also, I commend you on being open with your sexuality. Believe it or not, we need people from all walks of life as it only enhances the working environment by bringing in a new set of ideas and culture. Don't be wary. Nursing school is strenuous but rewarding. You are still young. Fight the good fight!!!

Nursing school is a very singular experience. I wouldn't compare it to medical school one bit. Each program requires a certain kind of intelligence. Am I intellectually or socially inferior to someone that chose the MD route? Of course not. Nursing has its own peculiarities. People fail to realize that intelligence comes in many forms. One may be musically a genius, one may kinetically be a genius and hone their talents towards the sports arena, others may be artistically gifted. No form of intelligence is inherently better than the next. Nursing intelligence and Medical intelligence are starkly different. I can kick ass and memorize and regurgitate facts (which is what a lot of medical school is), but not be able to apply what I have learned and integrate it into working knowledge that is situational (which is what nursing school does).

My first major purchase will be....wait for it.......A HOUSE, lol. I know some of you are like "WTH" lol. I am going to work my ass off that first year or so for a down payment. What are you losers *ahem*, I mean gentlemen going to buy?

Good luck man. Keep us posted!

I just read a book called "The Pact" and it was about three black males from the inner city whose environment was riddled with crime, violence and drugs. Despite the harsh streets they made a pact to get through high school go to college and all become doctors and each one of them made it. Peer support is definitely needed. I know nursing school is tough and motivation is a must sometimes. Any guys want to link up and be pen pals? It would be cool to talk with someone around my age. I am 23 and starting school soon. We can use this thread to each find a pen pal

Nice dreams guys! I definitely am going to move myself and my family out of the inner city. Buy a new car. Donate to various charities and church. Keep my wardrobe updated (gotta keep my swag tight! lol)