Question about becoming an RN

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i have a bachelor's degree, but it is not in nursing. can anyone tell me what the best way to become certified as an RN would be? i would like to do this and then obtain my masters in nursing. any help would be really appreciated.

thanks.

I was thinking the same thing...

What's scary?

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All of these programs are for RN's that want to get their Bachelor's or Master's. I want to become an RN first. Any ideas on how to do that?

Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge has a campus in New Orleans where they have an accelerated program (9 mos) for students who have a BSN in something else. You get your ASN and become an RN, then you could do various Master's programs that allow you to "skip" getting another BSN. Go to http://www.ololcollege.edu to find out some info - or email me!

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Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge has a campus in New Orleans where they have an accelerated program (9 mos) for students who have a BSN in something else. You get your ASN and become an RN, then you could do various Master's programs that allow you to "skip" getting another BSN. Go to www.ololcollege.edu to find out some info - or email me!

I am also in La and I checked into that..but if you have to work..or like in my case, I have children at home during the day it is impossible. It is from 7-4 I think they said. Also you HAVE to sign a 2 yr contract to work at Tulane hospital after you graduate.

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Specializes in OR, Hospice.

I just wanted to get some things under my belt so that I can take the test to become an RN. I can't imagine why the state would be concerned with how I studied to pass that test.

This comment is what's scary. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that the nurse caring for me had only gotten "some things under her belt" before sitting for the exam.

The bottom line is that there are no shortcuts to nursing. If you aren't willing to commit to doing what it takes then maybe you need to rethink your plans. I'm not trying to be unkind. Its just that your attitude seems a little cavalier for a pursuit that requires a fair amount of dedication.

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I have checked both of those schools out and they both seem to want you to already be a healthcare professional. I'm still checking into it though.

For whatever reason, everything that I find wants you to be an LPN or RN before starting classes. Every RN that I have ever met didn't even hold a BSN. Go figure. I'm trying!

Heres the cold hard truth (in a nutshell), I don't want to sound harsh, or scare you from pursuing your dream, but I wish I had someone to inform me of all this when I started. I'm surprised nobody has said this yet........ :rolleyes:

For starters, you need to take several science pre-requisites (that are accompanied by hands on laboratory) if your degree is in business, computers, or even liberal arts. Sometimes, depending on what school your trying to get into, they will make you take some additional psychology class, or history class even though you have numerous credits in these types of classes from your previous degree. Because it's "required for their program."

Then after you finish them, with at least A's or B's, you need to apply to the "nursing program", take entrance tests to get in, possibly be put on a waiting list because hundreds apply and only 50 to 70 students actually "get in."

And THEN, you need to plan to be in school for AT LEAST 18 months (accellerated program) to 2 years. Even if you only get your associates, your looking at 2 additional years (yes, even if you already have a bachelors degree).

Oh, and somewhere along the way you will find out that working (even part-time) while in the program is nearly impossible. People do it (part-time), but in my opinion it's by the grace of God.

Then if you graduate without killing yourself first, you may sit for your boards, and get "certified" as an RN :)

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This comment is what's scary. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that the nurse caring for me had only gotten "some things under her belt" before sitting for the exam.

The bottom line is that there are no shortcuts to nursing. If you aren't willing to commit to doing what it takes then maybe you need to rethink your plans. I'm not trying to be unkind. Its just that your attitude seems a little cavalier for a pursuit that requires a fair amount of dedication.

I would have to agree. Nursing is not just a job that we do. It pays pretty good - but those of us that have seen what we have, and worked as hard as a nurse does can tell you that you are NOT paid what you are worth. You MUST slow down and stop looking at this as just another title behind your name. Nursing is something that most of us believe that we are born to do. You hold a person's life in your hands every single day, and you also hold their emotions. We are saying "sounds scary" because it is so easy to overlook something and kill someone. The NCLEX is not "just a test" that you sit for - it is the culmination of years of study and hard work, and clinical experience. Maybe you should re-evaluate why you are doing this.

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Specializes in OR, Hospice.
Heres the cold hard truth (in a nutshell), I don't want to sound harsh, or scare you from pursuing your dream, but I wish I had someone to inform me of all this when I started. I'm surprised nobody has said this yet........ :rolleyes:

For starters, you need to take several science pre-requisites (that are accompanied by hands on laboratory) if your degree is in business, computers, or even liberal arts. Sometimes, depending on what school your trying to get into, they will make you take some additional psychology class, or history class even though you have numerous credits in these types of classes from your previous degree. Because it's "required for their program."

Then after you finish them, with at least A's or B's, you need to apply to the "nursing program", take entrance tests to get in, possibly be put on a waiting list because hundreds apply and only 50 to 70 students actually "get in."

And THEN, you need to plan to be in school for AT LEAST 18 months (accellerated program) to 2 years. Even if you only get your associates, your looking at 2 additional years (yes, even if you already have a bachelors degree).

Oh, and somewhere along the way you will find out that working (even part-time) while in the program is nearly impossible. People do it (part-time), but in my opinion it's by the grace of God.

Then if you graduate without killing yourself first, you may sit for your boards, and get "certified" as an RN :)

Yup....that about sums it up! :yeah:

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This comment is what's scary. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that the nurse caring for me had only gotten "some things under her belt" before sitting for the exam.

The bottom line is that there are no shortcuts to nursing. If you aren't willing to commit to doing what it takes then maybe you need to rethink your plans. I'm not trying to be unkind. Its just that your attitude seems a little cavalier for a pursuit that requires a fair amount of dedication.

There's no attitude here. I was just hoping that nursing would be as flexible as other curricula is in working around job schedules. I never said that I wouldn't be dedicated. I don't know where you decided that you knew anything about my intentions, dedication, and cognitive abilities. I came here asking for help because I thought it would be a good place for it. I didn't realize that I would come across anyone so high and mighty who is only adept at picking my words apart and making assumptions about me.

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I would have to agree. Nursing is not just a job that we do. It pays pretty good - but those of us that have seen what we have, and worked as hard as a nurse does can tell you that you are NOT paid what you are worth. You MUST slow down and stop looking at this as just another title behind your name. Nursing is something that most of us believe that we are born to do. You hold a person's life in your hands every single day, and you also hold their emotions. We are saying "sounds scary" because it is so easy to overlook something and kill someone. The NCLEX is not "just a test" that you sit for - it is the culmination of years of study and hard work, and clinical experience. Maybe you should re-evaluate why you are doing this.

I think you may just need to stay out of this conversatioin as you have become far to judgemental to understand this any further.

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Can't we all just get along? :o

I knew very little about the depth of dedication and knowledge involved in nursing when I started too (see above post). Now, I look at it different and I can see why nurses that have "made it" to being nurses are defending how important their jobs are. Not only do they have people's lives and emotions in their hands on a daily basis............they made it through nursing school.

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There's no attitude here. I was just hoping that nursing would be as flexible as other curricula is in working around job schedules. I never said that I wouldn't be dedicated. I don't know where you decided that you knew anything about my intentions, dedication, and cognitive abilities. I came here asking for help because I thought it would be a good place for it. I didn't realize that I would come across anyone so high and mighty who is only adept at picking my words apart and making assumptions about me.

janiebane, just to calm down the conversation here, I think that some people are just turned off a little by your wording. I do feel that nursing, like many professions, is a very important job. It isn't the easiest job in the world and therefore people want to make sure that you are not taking it too lightly. That said, I do feel that all people (not just nurses) can sometimes be very sensitive about their professions and may come off sounding "high and mighty". Nursing schools do not seem to be as flexible as many other fields, including some healthcare fields. But if this is something that you really want to do, I say go for it. I don't claim to know your intentions, but just know that it may not be an easy field to break in to due to clinicals, labs, etc. Don't get discouraged and best of luck whatever you decide. :)

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janiebane, just to calm down the conversation here, I think that some people are just turned off a little by your wording. I do feel that nursing, like many professions, is a very important job. It isn't the easiest job in the world and therefore people want to make sure that you are not taking it too lightly. That said, I do feel that all people (not just nurses) can sometimes be very sensitive about their professions and may come off sounding "high and mighty". Nursing schools do not seem to be as flexible as many other fields, including some healthcare fields. But if this is something that you really want to do, I say go for it. I don't claim to know your intentions, but just know that it may not be an easy field to break in to due to clinicals, labs, etc. Don't get discouraged and best of luck whatever you decide. :)

Thank you. I appreciate a more tasteful approach to this. I have not made any comments about anything being easy or anyone not being highly dedicated to this field. After all, isn't that why everyone is here? I came here to find out from those that had been there before what to do and what to expect and I greatly appreciate all of the information that I have received. If my wording offended anyone, then I am sorry. As I said, I only came here to get useful information. I have gotten that and am very grateful for it.

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