Questions about going to school for nursing

HealthyRN · Jul 26, 2007

Having been a senior in high school myself only 6 short years ago, I know that this is a very stressful and confusing time for you. I'll try my best to clear up some of your confusion.

There are many different educational pathways into nursing and this is one of the many controversial topics within the profession. LPNs are licensed practical nurses. Honestly, I don't know much about the education of LPNs, but I believe they attend vocational programs that are one or two years in length. LPNs have a different scope of practice from RNs.

RNs are registered nurses. There are several ways to become an RN. Many years ago, diploma programs were very popular. Diploma programs do not offer an actual degree in nursing. I know that there are a few still out there, but I have never actually heard of any in the three states in the midwest in which I have lived. Another way to become an RN is by attending an associate's degree (ADN) program, usually offered at a community college. This is a two-year degree. The BSN is a four-year degree that you complete by attending a university. Today, direct-entry master's programs are also gaining popularity. In these programs, students who already hold bachelor degrees in a discipline other than nursing can earn a master's degree in nursing and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX.

The NCLEX is the national licensing examinations for RNs. No matter what educational pathway you choose to become an RN, you will have to sit for the NCLEX.

I think that it is wonderful that you are developing some specific career goals. It is great that you think you may have a future in nursing management. However, I would suggest that you focus on becoming an RN first. There are many different specialities within nursing and it can take awhile for new nurses to find their niche. Most nursing management positions require years of experience in the speciality in which you will be working.

I'm sure that you will get a lot of different advice about what route you should take, but I would suggest that you earn a BSN while you are young. I am a firm believer that a BSN really does open up many more doors in nursing, especially if you want to continue your education.

As far as the courses you will be taking in nursing school, chemistry, as well as many other science courses, is required. Good luck!

Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN · Jul 26, 2007

Just to add two quick things to the thorough post above:

For more general information about nursing, look at the website www.discovernursing.com which is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

Also, you might want to read the book 101 Careers in Nursing.

Good luck

thyme39 · Jul 31, 2007

You can go into nurse management with a BSN. If someone was short of money, I would say do the Associates first and then get a job and work while you are doing an ASN to BSN program. Your work will likely pay some of the cost. But if you can do it, I think it is better to just go for the 4 yr BSN , especially if this is the first time you are at college. You can even take some of the classes you will need at a 4 yr college through a community college. Many CC's have a pgm set up where all your credits will transfer into the 4 yr college. CC are cheaper and if you then transfer to a 4 yr college you will get your BSN from them. I think the college experience is just a great learning experience for anyone, not just the nursing part, but overall. After your BSN, there are many areas to go into that are masters pgms or clinical specialist programs and they are all different. Talk to any nurse you see and find out about all kinds of different nursing. Also, if you contact some 4 yr universities that have teaching hospitals they may have a pgm that you can shadow a nurse for a day. Good luck.