Seeking advice- Pre Nursing Student

[AJ Healthy]

Trying to figure out the best way to continue. Right now, I am working towards a degree in exercise physiology and public health. Lately, I have been thinking about entering a nursing program. It is always something that I wanted to accomplish, but never set forth doing.

I feel the best way for me to go is to finish my degree that I am working on and enter an accelerated BSN program. I am going to work on the prerequisites needed along with studying to take the HESI exam. I have about 1 1/2 -2 years left with my degree. Should I start preparing to take the exam and take it in the near future or wait until I get closer to graduation? How can I gain experience hands on to learn more about the field of nursing? Volunteer? Is there any jobs in a hospital where you can work part- time without having a degree?

One more thing, I am looking at different specialties and am highly interested in learning more about Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Is there a special program or certification for that specialty?

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I feel the best way for me to go is to finish my degree that I am working on and enter an accelerated BSN program. I am going to work on the prerequisites needed along with studying to take the HESI exam. I have about 1 1/2 -2 years left with my degree.

*** If you want to be a nurse why are you continuing with your current program? Some things to consider - accelerated BSNs are very intense and in some areas / hospitals not well reguarded. You will not be elligable for financial aid for a second bachelors degree and accelerated BSN programs are known to be very expensive. Do you really want to barrow tens of thousands of $$$? Especialy when new grads are finding jobs hard to come by? If you finish your current degree it won't help you at all in nursing.

How can I gain experience hands on to learn more about the field of nursing? Volunteer? Is there any jobs in a hospital where you can work part- time without having a degree?

*** Yes! Become a CNA. Comunity colleges offer CNA programs that can be done in 4-8 weeks and usually CNAsdon't have much trouble finding jobs. Plus it will be a huge advantage when you apply as an RN to that hospitals. It will give you an up close and personal view of nursing and they get paid pretty well.

One more thing, I am looking at different specialties and am highly interested in learning more about Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Is there a special program or certification for that specialty?

*** All RNs, reguardless of specialty area attend a basic nursing program. Yes there is certification for cardiac and pulmonary rehab but first you must get a job in that area and then study for the certification. Certifications in nursing require both training AND experience in the field covered by the certification. Expect to spend a year or two in med-surg before being considered for a job in a speciality area, though this is highly dependant on the area of the country and how forward thinking and modern your hospital is.