"Why can't she just work with another nurse and learn what she needs to know?"
This is the question posed to me by a friend whose children are homeschooled and live somewhat "off the grid". (The teen daughter is very interested in nursing and is academically quite competetent. She would like to be a missionary.) My friend is a self-described "rebel", well educated himself at the masters level. He rejects almost all state regulation, licensure, social security, insurance, etc. Nothing I could say convinced him that formal education and licensure for nurses has value.
I'd love to see his daughter attend some type of nursing program when she is old enough. Any ideas of what might convince him that it is a good idea?
This guy sounds like one of those militant anti-government extremists. Remember the Ruby Ridge shooting? I'd say not being able to attend nursing school is the least of his daughter's worries.
There's nothing as valuable as learning each topic from an expert. Each of my teachers LOVE the subject they teach and are extremely knowledgable on that topic. I've learned so much more than I ever could have from just 1 or 2 expert nurses (although of course, what they teach is priceless).
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
I am very surprised that Illinois allows this! Well she may find a doctor to train her but who will hire her if she ever ends her employment with that doctor without any credentials. The doctor can only give her a reference not a credential. If she is fortunate to find a doctor to train her from the ground up then maybe this training will benefit her in some third world country,who may or maynot request any credentials. Her employment is only limited to working for that doctor who trained her if she stays in Illinois. I wonder what happens to those who have done this type of training with a doctor, what is their employment outlook? I would guess not good.
Nursing is not the profession for her. She'll need to get vaccines in order to complete clinicals for nursing school, and later, working in a hospital. Nursing is too focused on western medicine, and that may go against what she's learned at home. Maybe she could be an alternative medicine practitioner.
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
Knowing some 'off the grid'/alternative type folks, I'm a little disappointed he would raise his daughter with such a closed mindset.
Most of them are pretty open-minded and innovative about solving problems- you have to be when living and raising your kids somewhat out of mainstream society.
I would tell him the same things about the legitimacy of licensure/formal education, but also that even at stodgy nursing
schools, they are promoting many holistic and alternative health practices (relaxation, herbal therapies, good diet, yoga, acupuncture, off the top of my head) and improving the scope of health care.
In other words, his daughter can get a standard education, but she doesn't have to be limited to a conventional job by any means. She can take all that critical thinking she learned in nursing school and use it to solve health care problems in their community.
I think that most jobs can be learned just from on the job training to be honest - especially if it's a field that one is truly passionate. But, as others have said, this girl doesn't stand a chance without attending a formal program and getting her license. That's just the way it works in America now - even if I do agree (and can understand) what the father believes. Besides, who is really going to take the time to properly train this girl? Nurses are overworked as is, how could anyone have the time to provide her with all the information she needs. We just don't have the time and resources for that.
I hope the girl will decide to pursue a nursing program for 2-4 years if this is what she truly wants. Surely the girl has a decision to attend a formal program if that is what she wants once she is an adult? Otherwise, the father is being selfish and imposing his views on his daughter.
i would stress in many areas of nursing-in and out of a hospital-the nurses' educated call on the situation can save a life or make a life better with intervention. in order to do that-you must be well educated, exposed to many other nurses of all levels and measure up-by exam-to be among the most qualified. something like...do you want to be with a patient and not have a clue-or be with a patient and be steady, clear headed and informed. be articulate in your writing and speaking in the language of health care and use that skill to speak with all kinds of patients and their families.
The days of apprenticeships are over. Colleges and trade schools own that part now.
The entrance to a profession and at least a middle class lifestyle for a lot of us includes a college education.
I suspect your friend is not interested in anything that contradicts his point of view; people with extreme views are often not curious about opinions that differ.
That may be true in the USA but apprenticeship programs are alive and well in many parts of Europe in particular Germany. High school aged and or young adults are routinely partnered with industry to learn a skill and hopefully taken on in full contract after graduation. Recently many US businesses are looking to this European model to solve the problem in finding skilled workers.
As for earning a "middle class" lifestyle,machinist, especially CNC trained can do very well for themselves even in this economy where persons are crying unemployment by the droves.
Now it may not be exactly the same as the old Nightingale system of old but many European nursing programs require two or more years of didactic training (often meaning working as what we here would consider a nursing assistant) before entering formal nursing school. IIRC in France this period is about three years.
Well, at some point his daughter will be an adult capable of making her own decisions. Why not talk to her about her options and the paths available to become a nurse?
Tell him that the guild system of preparing professionals went out a long time ago. She can learn anything she wants to learn in any way she can, but she won't get a license to practice in the civilized world unless she attends an accredited college and passes a licensure examination.
GrnTea, loved your response about the "guild system of preparing nurses"--very appropriate answer. I wonder how many understand what you were saying when you mentioned the guild system and what it actually did.
No you don't need to go to "college" to be a "Nurse" many local county owned vocational schools still offer diplomas. You do to be a "professional" one. Alot of what was once vocational has been transferred to community colleges for $$ sake. Auto mechanic, Pharmacy Tech, Medical records, Surgical Tech... etc
BrandonLPN, LPN
3,358 Posts
This guy sounds like one of those militant anti-government extremists. Remember the Ruby Ridge shooting? I'd say not being able to attend nursing school is the least of his daughter's worries.