Schooling Options?

[HCole598]

Hello, my name is Haley, I live in Pinellas County, FL. I'm currently 18, turning 19 in May and nursing is something I would like to go to school for. My ultimate goal is to become a fetal ultrasonographer or a midwife. The only issue I'm running into is that I'm not entirely sure how to go about enrolling into school. There's so many options in my area so I'm making this post in effort to hopefully get some light and potential guidance to help me choose a correct path. If you're located in Florida, what school/s are or did you attend? Or are there any that you would recommend or suggest avoiding?

Thank you for your time. It's greatly appreciated.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Well, first let's look at your goals: ultrasonography or midwife. One requires a degree in ultrasound. One requires a degree in nursing plus additional education. Ultrasound is not part of nursing education- it's a totally separate career. Before you decide on a school, you will need to decide which program you want to do. Once you've done that, you can look at resources such as the state BON or the agency that regulates ultrasound techs to find programs.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Haley, the single best advice I can give you at this stage is find a mentor. Do you know a nurse? Do you know a parent who has navigated college admissions and can steer you away from for-profit, non-accredited schools? THAT is a person you need in your life right now. Because there are a lot of shady 'schools' and you need to stay far, far away from them.