RSP.SN

Yes this really helped, thank you so much!! I will definitely take your input into consideration.

I am aware of what an LPN is... I asked the question because I actually know of a few LPNs who are not REGISTERED nurses and are currently in school to obtain their BSN... I understand the difference with BSN and LPN, respectfully, so my question was for the ones who may have any advice for student nurses as myself who did NOT at all start off as CNAs, MAs, LPNs, what have you, not to try to categorize any titles. I am currently on the traditional BSN route as a student nurse with no patient experience yet other than with volunteering, so that question wasn't to try to categorize with any specific titles.

Very true... I had all of my introductory nursing courses with CNAs and others who are already working with patients in the field who complained the most about what was being taught vs what they do at work everyday.

That's wonderful! I wish you all of the good luck and thank you for your input. I will take it into consideration. :)

Oh yes, that question was for you Simplistic. I was pre-nursing with a few CNAs that were already familiar with everything and it would kinda make me feel a little discouraged... just a little bit. My question is just how did you adjust to your schedule? Like did you work while doing clinical and if so, how did you manage your time? I always find interest in hearing from other student nurses.

Are you currently in nursing school? I would really like to hear more experiences from you!

I know most community colleges require that you have your CNA certification, and I was told that most hospitals will help student nurses who does not have their CNA to obtain it while they're going through clinical, which is what I may consider if that opportunity comes. In the meantime, I've just been getting my experience with volunteering.

I have considered becoming a CNA at one time, but since I'm already on the track to begin clinicals next summer, I don't really see the point of it. (I am traditional BSN-RN) Are there any previous or current nursing students who did not start off in the field as a CNA or LPN? What were/are your experiences as a nursing student without those certifications?

Hey cek35, 1. Are the courses that you are referring to college accredited or AP courses? Because in all honesty, unless that is the case, your high school grades and ACT/SAT scores will not count against you after you apply to college and actually get accepted because at that point after your first semester, your success will be based solely off of your grades that you are receiving until the time you graduate from college. Now if those courses are college accredited and you are not passing with C or better, they will just not accept those courses as college credit, but they also won't limit your chance of getting accepted into nursing school. But by all means and most importantly, KEEP YOUR GRADES UP AND INTACT. A few other questions: Are you planning to obtain your Traditional BSN (4 years), ADN (usually 2 years), or LPN (approximately one year)? If you are planning to attend a four-year college/university, depending on the school, it usually takes two years of college-level general ed. courses (math, science, English/literature, health), and, during the last two years, is when you will begin with your pre-nursing/nursing clinical material. For example, at my school, at the beginning of spring semester (immediately after winter break) of our sophomore year is when we actually apply and send in our application to the nursing program by the deadline (usually end of January) in hopes of receiving our acceptance letter into the department by the end of March. 2. Applying undecided and then switching your major? Unless you are already decided with your major, I don't really understand why you would want to apply undecided. It's not really a good idea to do that if you know exactly which path you want to pursue, however, it will neither increase or decrease your chances. You want your major to be declared by the end of your freshmen year because once your sophomore year approaches, you are in the process of moving into your major courses, so try to avoid that at all costs. College is literally on its own time and goes by really fast. Think of freshmen year as the "trial run" that begins its official run during the sophomore year. 3. Once you are accepted into the college and begin your first semester, always ALWAYS visit your professor office hours and look into forming study groups with classmates that you know for sure are willing to not only pass the class but to learn and implement the material together. Find you a small group to meet with weekly. Time management will be your best friend. Study smart, not hard. I hope this helps.

Hello, I have been trying for a while to get a job at a hospital, even as a cafeteria cashier or food transporter to patients, just to have a background. I am not a CNA or have any certifications in the field yet and sometimes it makes me feel annoyed that no matter how many applications I fill out, working at a hospital, IMO, is one of those jobs where you must know someone in administration or someone who has connections to put in a good word for you in order to even be considered. The people that I do know that work in hospitals were hired because of who they know, rather than just the old fashioned way -- your application is looked at and recruiter reaches out to you if you qualify, whether they know you or not. So I am currently working cashier jobs just to get by. My resume just have experiences in retail, grocery, fast food, work study in the Nursing department on my campus, some volunteer work, etc. I am currently pre-nursing (traditional BSN) and just want to be around the hospital environment to get a feel of it. I have also applied to begin volunteering with patients at Hospice Care, so I am wanting so much to just gain experience because I kind of feel a little "behind" as I am beginning my junior year come this Fall. Do anyone else have previous experiences like this that could possibly help me out here?

Hey briannad, It is ultimately up to you obviously, but I am glad that you are asking yourself this question because some people will just go into the medical field for all of the wrong reasons. You did mention the options that you are aware of, which is another great thing. In my opinion, I think you should continue with your research and just write down the pros and cons of it all. Do you plan to transfer to a 4-year to obtain your BSN or are you considering your ADN? Take those into consideration as well. I started off at a community college and was sure to study Accounting until my last Spring break before transferring to a 4-year that I wanted to become a Nurse. As far as not taking those classes in time for your senior year of high school, it is never too late. I didn't declare my decision to become a nurse until I transferred, so in regards to that, the sooner, the better because you do NOT want your sophomore year to come and you're not sure on your major. Use your summer/winter breaks (or even weekends) to work around your schedule to volunteer at your local Hospice care or hospital to gain experience (I am in my junior year and just now taking heed to my own advice with volunteering more). Nursing school is a lot to invest in, not only financially, but mentally, physically, and spiritually, so if that is something that you know that you can do and love without thinking about getting paid for it, then I say go for your dream. Lastly, the most AMAZING thing about the medical field as a physician is that it is such a broad career field, it is limitless, so there are so many things to do aside from what you would see on TV or hear from others. So, just continue to weigh out those options there, google the types of nurse and see which one interests you the most. I hope this helps sweetheart!

I was literally confused and about to google this BSN in Accounting. It doesn't even make sense lol

Oh and also to answer your third point about my studying habits, I do seem to get easily distracted at times. My boyfriend and I are both studying in the science field, so we both understand the severity of the work, but while I'm studying, for example, he may text me and I'll stop what I'm doing to respond back and even while we're together (his campus is 30 minutes from mine), we'd study or do assignments together one day of our weekend together. As for social media, I log out of my Facebook while studying, but wish to just have a week where I don't have the need to get on there. So I have good potential with improving my studying, I just need the push. I also keep a planner, but don't really like the one I have. I've heard great reviews on the Erin Condren planners, so I plan to invest in one before heading back to school in August. EDIT: I also found that studying in the library at certain times would allow me to lose motivation. Like after dark, I tend to just want to sleep after 10pm, so I try to get everything out of that way during the day. I understand that sleep it very important also, but I really want to balance that out as well in order to be successful and in order to study smart, not hard.

Wonderful advice. Thank you so very much. I will take note of this.

I"m almost afraid to ask if you are really a student nurse or a RN assisting patients... to say that it's fine because of your high GPA isn't always the end result of being a great nurse. There are "C" nurses that are much more experienced and dedicated than "A" nurses.