xraytech

Where I live its quicker to just go for your BSN, as there are 2+ year wait lists for the ADN programs at community colleges. I always recommend people go the BSN route, just push thru it, it takes the same time around here anyway. If money is an issue, have you considered the option of finding a place to work with student loan repayment programs, or possibly joining the military? They usually provide enough repayment to pay off loans in full. Have you applied for financial aid? If its as bad as you are making it, you probably qualify for grants... Also, apply for scholarships!

First off, follow your heart. In the end, think to yourself, if you were all alone and had to depend only on yourself, what would YOU want to do? Then make your choice. You can get your EMT certificate and the go on to become a nurse. You don't have to have just one job your whole life. Just pick what your gut tells you. If you change your mind, who cares, you are only 18 and have your life to figure it out. You learn from experience. Also, don't worry about the cost of schools. Yes, do try to go to a low cost state school to avoid higher tuition costs. But, there are always student loan repayment programs you can go to, places where you can work for 2 years and they will provide tuition reimbursement. Also, the military will provide loan repayment after the fact, or if you go to them now, they will pay your way thru school and you do your service when you are done. Lots of options. And you can't do something based on what if... there are too many variables in life. If its what you want to do, then go for it and forget the rest. Everything's gonna be alright.

Well, obviously if you don't know what you want to specialize in, then do the ABSN. But, if you KNOW that you are going to to want to go on to get your NP degree, just don't know what specialty, then either shadow and get the experience, or apply to a program that will let you pick you specialty after completing the BSN portion of the program, that way you had a chance to rotate thru different areas. Unfortunately, not all schools let you do this... a lot make you choose your specialty up front for the direct entry MSNs, which can prove challenging, unless you have a calling to specific area... And most direct entry MSN programs that I see offer either FNP or Pysch/mental health NP.... so either you want to do Psych, or you want to be able to do anything else....

Do you already have a bachelors degree? The first two years of a traditional BSN is usually gen. ed. courses anyway. Most schools don't begin the nursing courses/clincials until the last two years. If you already have a bachelors, then it would probably take about 2 years to finish, and you could transfer in. Or, you could apply for an accelerated BSN (for people with a bachelors in another field) which takes even less time (around 15 months average). If you don't have a bachelors degree... then about 3-4 years?

Pharmacology I found fairly straightforward, most memorization type stuff... You could probably take this online and self study and learn all you need to know for your exams. Pathophysiology is a little more concept based, and if you don't have a good book, you can get a little lost and have to do some research on your own. It would be nice to take it in class so you could ask questions. But I think you could probably do it online if you had to, and had the work ethic...

Congrats to you!

First of all, like others have said, you have to somewhat like what you do for a living in order to be successful and happy throughout life. Otherwise, you will get burnt out, and not be the best you can be in your profession. And if you don't like people, and don't like serving others, than it probably would be hurtful to society to go carelessly into the health care field in any profession. We'd all be lying if we said we didn't need to know how much money we will be making in our careers. Some people want to make a certain amount of money to live a certain life style. And money pays the bills. So it is okay to be logical when weighing the cost of school vs. your future income. Also, there are some opportunities in nursing that provide higher salaries, such as becoming a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist), who often make around $130,000+ when working full-time. You could also continue on to become an NP (nurse practitioner) who make an average of $80,000+ depending on where you live and what specialty you are in. For instance, some NP specialties like Psychiatric/Mental Health NPs can make well over $100,000+ / year. When deciding MD vs. RN... you need to think what you like more... Are you interested in treating the patient holistically (RN). Or are you more a science buff, who mainly enjoys fact collecting, being concise, and treating the disease (MD). Nurses and MDs are taught by two different models. Research each to see which appeals to you more. Also consider that becoming and MD takes considerable more time and money, things in which some people are reluctant to sacrifice. For some, the nursing model is more appealing, it takes less time and money to earn the degree, and the job satisfaction is excellent. It's up to you.....

Getting an ADN (associates degree in nursing) is always an affordable and quick option that works for a lot of people. But, at least where I live, the wait list for getting into these programs can be two years or more. So, I always recommend people just go for the BSN. In my area, it will take you the same amount of time (because of the wait list), and you come out with a 4 year degree. As far as cringing at blood goes, you can either deal with it or not. But regardless of where you work after nursing school, you will have to deal with gross bodily fluids during nursing school. Most people get over this quickly. If you think you are unsure, volunteer at a hospital to get some experience, and take a CNA course through your local adult education program. You can take the CNA course and work part time to see if its what you like.

I also agree, with his bio/chem background, he'd be a great candidate for an accelerated BSN. The school I'm going to is about 4 semesters long and takes about 15 months to complete. And although I highly recommend taking anatomy and physiology prior to starting nursing school (it is pretty essential), there are some schools out there that don't even require it (only recommend it) for admission, although I'm not sure how well one would do with out the A&P background, as well as how reputable a school that does NOT require it would be... Also, you can usually get into a regular BSN program or accelerated program faster than being put on a wait list for an ADN program. He could also always just transfer into a traditional BSN program, and take it a little slower, but still get it done in 2 years. Doesn't make sense to really do an ADN, if you already have all the gen. eds. that make up a bachelors. Good luck!

Hello! :) I am about to embark on the journey towards earning my Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. As I was deciding on a graduate nursing specialty, I had a very hard time deciding between Family Psych/Mental Health NP vs. Family Nurse Practitioner. I always had an interest in working in mental health, but also was afraid to limit myself to one specialty for the next 30+ years. I loved the idea of becoming an FNP, as I had in interest in family medicine, college health, employment health, women's health, and dermatology. The FNP degree seemed more marketable, and I would be able to switch around throughout my career. But, I was always very drawn to the Psych NP route. And I saw more and more psych positions wanted someone who was certified in psych vs. and FNP. So I ultimately chose to pursue the Family Psych (PMHNP) route... However, I am contemplating continuing on an addition 1-2 years (after I finish the psych NP portion), and possibly getting certified (via a post masters certificate) as an FNP as well, as I have seen some of you on here are both... I'm not entirely familiar with how NP certification goes... it seems all too confusing regarding state licensing vs. national certification. But I can read (haha), and what I have seen from the ANCC website here: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/CertificationRenewal/RenewalofCertification.aspx is that you need to re-certify in your specialty every 5 years, with a minimum educational contact hours (which I equate to "course work" and learning) which seems very reasonable. In addition, you also have to complete a minimum of 1000 practice hours in your specialty (via employment or volunteer work) OR you have to pass the certification exam. ATTENTION those of you who are certified as BOTH a Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)... What type of setting do you work in? Do you utilize both certifications (ex. if you are working in psychiatric only setting, how do you utilize your FNP certification? or vice versa) How do you maintain your dual certifications? Are you getting the required minimum practice hours in both specialties? (and how do you do it? part-time work, volunteering?) Or are you taking the recertification exam? I don't know all the legalities of licensing vs. certification, and I realize that some states you don't have to be nationally certified (although I don't know what you would be... could someone explain this?). But regardless, if I go thru the trouble to be certified in both, I'd like to be certified NATIONALLY in both, so I can work where I please, when I want to. It's ultimately my goal to be most marketable, most knowledgeable and capable of being a good provider, as well as having the flexibility to work wherever, whenever. So, I would like to know if it is feasible to be certified in both areas and keep up both certifications... I don't really WANT to have to recertify via an exam every 5 years... But I'm also not sure where I will be working, and if it will be possible to do 25 weeks (40 hrs x 15 wks = 1000 hours!) in a family practice position, if I am working in psych... And FYI, my reasoning for continuing on and getting my FNP is to open my job opportunities, so that if I ever WANT to change specialties I have that option down the road, without having to motivate myself to go back to school again. I'd rather push through and get it all over with at once, and hopefully it will prove itself useful and contribute to the way I provide care. So if anyone out there has any info (regardless of your specialty), I'd really appreciate it... Let me know how you are keeping your certifications up...! Thank you for reading and your help... I really appreciate it!

Carachel2 and Purple Scrubs: I am interested in learning more information regarding the school-based clinics that are run by NPs. I am not from Texas (all the way from the East coast actually), so anything else you can tell me about it would be appreciated... Where (what web site) would one go to find info on finding these school-based clinic NP job openings? Are they hired by the state of Texas? Not sure how/where to search for these types of jobs, or do you have to contact each clinic individually? Also, do you know if any other states have these types of school-based clinics? It is completely new to me! :yeah:And, have you ever heard of any FNPs employed as an actual school nurse? I am also interested in college health NPs and what that job entail if anyone has an experience in that..? Also, about me: I'm a radiologic technician with no nursing experience applying to a direct entry MSN-FNP program with in interest in primary care, occupational health, college student health, and school nursing. Thank you for your time, effort, and input!