Senior in Homeschool Needing Help

Published

Salaam.

Hello everyone!

I need some information please. Allow me to introduce myself as well and inform you on the situation.

I am about to be 16 and graduating this year, God Willing. My goal is to become a Nurse Practioner. I'd like to know what steps I have to take. I figure you get a 4 yr degree in Nursing and then additional two years for a Master and then you can be a Nurse Practioner? I am not really familiar with everything about this. I am indeed behind. I was going to take a year off to work before college but I recently decided not to. I am taking the ACT in Feburary. I'd like to go to college in Texas or Missouri, preferably Texas. To enter a nursing program there are prerequsites right? Do I take those at the university I want to attend for the nursing program or can I take those at a community college? What is the difference between going to a "nursing school" and taking a "nursing program" at a college. I am sure I want a four year degree but what else. I don't know exactly how to go about this. Please help.

I am planning on making appointments with admission counslors and career advisors at University of Houston as well has phone appointments with U of Texas @ Austin and @Tyler.

If anyone can share experinces with me that would be nice.

Also what Tests do RNs and Nurse Practioners have to take?

As you learn how to do things in the programs do you get to get the certifcates then?

Sorry if this is too many questions! But advice is greatly needed and appreciated

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We refer to Nursing Programs as Nursing School. At one time Nursing was taught primailry in Hospital Sponsored Schools. Though there are a few still around for the most part today nursing education takes place in colleges and universities.

You are correct in that you need a Masters to be a Nurse Practioner.

Pre requisits are taken during your first 2 years in a Bachelors Program. In an Associate Degree program they are taken prior to entering the program.

Some 4 yr schools enter you directly into the nursing program in your freshman year. Some consider the first 2 years as pre- nursing and do not accept you into the program until your junior year.

pre requisits can be taken anywhere. However, check with the school where you will transfer these credits to make sure they will accept the credits and that they meet the requirements of that particular school.

Any certifications that you earn come only after you are licensed, and do advanced study. Most certifications also have a requirement that you practice in that speciality for a length of time before you can qualify to sit for the certifying exam.

Taking pre requisits at a community college is a good idea. It is less expensive and generally classes are smaller. Usually community colleges are more responsive to individual students and thier needs and learing styles. It is easy to get swallowed up at a large 4 year school.

After graduation you take a licensing exam NCLEX. Sorry I have forgotten what the letters stand for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

what does rn to bsn mean? i thought that getting a bsn makes u an rn? please explain this to me

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thank you very much for you reply :D great help :)

do u know of any nursing schools in Houston, Tx and around Texas?

UT has 3 or 4 locations that offer nursing. Should I apply to all of them? I mean let's say one denies me, does this mean all of them will?

many thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Because one school turns you down does not mean another will. They only have so many slots for students and every school looks for different qualities in students. Sometimes it is a matter of haveing a certain mix of students. (social qualities, ethenic qualities, could be a mix of just about any quailty you can think of)

It is not unusual to apply to many colleges only to be accepted by a few of them.

You will be accepted someplace though.

RN to BSN is this.

There are several avenues to getting your RN. One is to get an associate degree, one is to attend a 2-3 yr hospital school of nursing, one is to get a BSN another is to get an MSN.

I am in an RN to BSN program because I am an RN with an associates degree and am now back in school getting my BSN.

RN to BSN programs usually exempt students who are already RNs from certain classes.

Usually in a Bachelor program the RN classes are all upper division classes (3rd+4th year classes) Nursing classes taken in an associate degree program are not upper division (can't be it's a 2 year school) even though the classes are essentially the same.

So the RN is exempt from retaking classes that are identical to ones already taken at the lower division

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hello, I am a student at UT austin and I think we both have a lot of the same questions. If you would like to talk to me direclty about Austin or UT, I'd love to help any way I can! If you have AOL instant messanger, my screen name is longhornbrit, or you can email me if you want at [email protected]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As said above, yes you need a Master's to become an NP.

If you're sure that's what you want, I'd recommend going to take your bachelor's first. It will probably ultimately take less time. As a matter of fact, by the time I got my prereqs done, it would have taken me longer to get an Associate degree.

Anyway, yes, you can take prereqs at a community college for the first two years. Be careful in choosing them, and make sure the level of courses are correct for the school you want to transfer you to.

Then at a 4-year college or uni, enroll in the nursing school there for two years, graduate, and get your license.

Take the GRE and then apply to the Master's Program that offers the NP program you want.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At your age why not Doctorate...Research...Heck why not Europe and exchange for a while and travel see the some of the world. A young promising young 16 year old that has the ability to graduate two years early. Im not sure you have lived long enough to know for sure. But one thing for sure is that what ever you set your mind to you will achieve it in greatness.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Homeschoolers Rock!!! :D

My sister homeschools my 5 nieces. They are all very smart! :)

Another thing you may want to consider is an accelerated combined BSN/MSN. This will often take a year off of your education and you take some grad level courses while attaining your BSN. Then after graduating with your BSN, you take your grad. courses to get your MSN.

Here's an example of one school's program:

http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/admissions/accelerated/options/

Also, don't worry about getting into schools. Colleges love home schoolers and you graduated two years early! :eek: They will be fighting over you.

Have you taken your SAT's yet?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Salutations!!

Thanks for the info everyone! It's a great help. :D

I added you to my list, Brit. Hopeflully we can talk.

At your age why not Doctorate...Research...Heck why not Europe and exchange for a while and travel see the some of the world. A young promising young 16 year old that has the ability to graduate two years early. Im not sure you have lived long enough to know for sure. But one thing for sure is that what ever you set your mind to you will achieve it in greatness.

Well, I'd like to get a Doctorates insha2Allah but first I decided to go with Masters. I mean after I achieve this goal, I will decide on the next one. One goal at a time! hehe I know that after I get my degree(S) and work for a year or two. I'd like to study religion abroad(4yrs or more). Nothing is set in stone yet. I would go to study religion abroad however my religous leaders said get an education outside of the religion first because there are too many religous leaders who don't have knowledge out side of the religion.

I want to travel the world but fianances don't permit, so I have to become a good ol' NP and then I can travel where ever I want!! God willing! :D ;)

I haven't taken the SAT. I am going to take the ACT though in Feburary. It's after a few colleges's(that I wanted to apply to) deadline. I was thinking if I got into one of those I'd transfer, or if I recieved acceptance soon enough I'd just work and study on my own untill the semester that I am able to enter in starts.

The reason I am so behind in taking the entrance exams and applying is because I was going to take a year between highschool and college to study however, I was advised not to, and of course I see the logic in their reasoning.

neways! thanks again for the advice!

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

PM me. I am grad student at UT/Nursing

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What a refreshing young lady you are! I cannot add to the good advice already presented, but I want to wish you well in your pursuits.

Speaking as a mother, I am sure your parents are very proud having such an intelligent and thoughtful 16 yr old daughter.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment