goddess_of_summer

Thanks everyone, once again for your replies! I did find out that I do not have to have ALL my pre-reqs finished to apply. I need at least 9 credits, not including the Chemistry class. So I can apply after that first semester even without taking all 18 credits! This is such a relief! Thanks so much for your patience with me! :) Summer

I've considered this, but I am a much better hands on learner than I am distance learner. Especially with classes that include labs... But thanks for the suggestion!

Thank you so much for your advice!! I am so glad I asked this question here. I probably will end up taking Chem, A&P, Psych, and the computer class. The computer class is only 5 weeks and I imagine it will be very simple because I am no stranger to computers. :)

Thanks so much! I am definitely starting to see this is not such a good idea! And will be talking to a degree counselor before I sign up! Thanks!

i am starting to see that, yes, this is probably way too many credits. but thanks for not saying, "yup, you are crazy!" yes, i have a husband and one child, and this is part of the problem...my dh won't/can't move so that i can go to nursing school, so my son and i will live with my mom while i do this and see my husband only during the summer and christmas. so i am trying to get this done as quickly as possible. i don't want to spend 3 or 4 years like this. maybe i am not thinking realistically though. anyway, thanks so much for your quick reply!

Thanks for the quick response! So are you saying I can still apply even though I haven't taken all of the prereqs? I know this probably varies from school to school, but I assumed I had to finish all of the classes before I could even turn in my application.

I have been out of high school for over 16 years now and have a few college credits but mostly in the humanities. The last science class I took was my sophomore year in highschool, way back when parachute pants were the rage! ROFL! Anyway, I would like to go to nursing school and the semester of prereq's at my school are as follows: Microbiology A&P Computers for Nurses General Psychology Pharmacology But to be accepted to the nursing program I have to have Intro to Chemistry as well. Is it insane to try to do all of these classes plus chem in one semester? I think it is a total of 18 credit hours. The thing is, I know it will take awhile to get accepted with the waiting lists and all, but it appears I can't even get put on the waiting list until I take all of these courses, right? So if I do it in 2 semesters instead of 1 that makes the waiting even longer. And what if I finish these and then it's still awhile before I get accepted? What does one do in the meantime? Thanks in advance! Summer

Why is there a difference between citizens and non citizens? But I am not trying to take any shortcuts. I thought I was entering a program that was the same as an LVN program. I thought I would graduate from this program, get a job, then when and if I moved back to the States would be able to get a job there. Sorry if I sound like I am whining. :) I am usually not a whiner. Just not the info I expected...and definitely not the day before my first day of school. Anyway thanks for your help! I have read other posts of yours here before and you are always so helpful! So I hope I haven't been too much of a pain!

So basically I am going to be wasting the next 1 and a half years of my life. Good thing to know the day before school starts!! *sigh*

I am a US Citizen so no problems there. I'm not sure what further information I can give. I just thought maybe someone in Sweden who was an undersköterska would know if it is the equivelent of an LVN or a CNA. There seems to be quite a debate on that subject from others I have spoken to. The Swedish levels in order from lowest to highest are Vårdbiträde, Undersköterska and Sjuksköterska. I am of the opinion that the equivelents go like this: Vårdbiträde = CNA Undersköterska = LVN/LPN Sjuksköterska = RN My thinking on this is because of the length of schooling. Vårdbiträde education is one term or semester. Many programs for CNA that I have seen in the States are from 6 weeks to a semester. Undersköterska education is 3 semesters here. Comparable to LVN programs that I have seen for a full calender year to 18 months. Sjukskötersa education is a full 3 year program. Comparable to 2-3 year programs i have seen in the US for RN. But where I have problems is that there aren't so many hoops to jump through for the program I am going into (Undersköterska) as I have read about for lvn school. No waiting lists, no entrance exams, nothing... And the course load itself doesn't seem to be as hard. So I worry that once I complete this program and if we move back to the States I would have to go to LVN school all over again to get a job. Anyway, just hoping there was maybe someone who had gone this route before that could help me. I keep getting conflicting answers from others I have spoken to here. Some say that undersköterska is the same as CNA...but I can't imagine having to go to school a year and a half to be a CNA. Others say that once the credits transfer that you could be an RN in the States, but I can hardly see that happening either. If you are curious, here are the courses as best as I can translate them. 1st Term: Treatment and Caring ??? Basic Medicine Psychology Work environment and safety 2nd Term: Healthcare Ethics and life questions Humans - socially and culturally Working in the Public Health system 3rd Term: Hospital Care Geriatric Care Rehabilitation and Habilitation Optional courses are: Organization and leadership Healthcare education Terminology for non native Swedish speakers Each semester lasts 20 weeks. 17 weeks in class and 3 in a clinical setting, usually a nursing home. Here is the job description of an Undersköterska translated by me from a Swedish website: As an undersköterska you can work in different places within the healthcare system and have a variety of work related duties. Undersköterskan help patients wash and dress themselves. You make beds, hand out food, and do everything else that includes daily care. You take temperatures, take blood pressure, take tests and dress wounds. Another duty would be to prepare patients for different treatments that a doctor orders. You can for example give an enema before an xray. In a hospital you often work together with a sjuksköterska (what I think is an RN). It is you that has most contact with the patients. Therefore it is important that you take time to talk with them (the patients) and give support when needed. You can also work in home healthcare. In that case among other duties you would give medicine, injections as instructed by a sjuksköterska (RN). If you work as a sjuksköterska in a doctor's office or special unit you assist doctors and sjuksköterskor with exams, treatment and procedures. You take temperatures, blood tests and fetch test results and journals as well as prepare patients for treatment. You also might arrange the instruments for examination and clean and disinfect them afterwards. Sorry for the choppy language...but I was translating as I was reading. I could do a better translation if I had more time, but now I must go cook dinner! Thanks for your help!

Does anyone know what an undersköterska (Swedish) is equal to in the States? I have been told by some that it is the same as an LVN, but by another that it is the same as a CNA. I haven't begun my schooling, yet, so I don't know who to even ask this question here in Sweden, just thought maybe someone else knew. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the replies!

I am new to these boards and it seems like there is a wealth of information here! I haven't found the answer to my question though in skimming through some posts. So maybe someone can help. I am a US citizen, but a current resident of Sweden. I will be starting nursing school in the fall here in Sweden and will be what I think might be the equiv. of an LVN/LPN once I finish. My question is, what would I have to do to get certified in the States if we decide to move back in a few years. All of the information I have found seems to be for those with a foreign education who are not US citizens. Is the process different for me? Thanks in advance!