Soon to be Senior in H.S-Confused where to begin on Nursing Schools...

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 20, 2006

The best place to start might be your high school guidance counselor, who should be familiar with the nursing schools in your region of the country.

You'll need to decide what type of educational experience you want and assess your resources as some options are much more expensive than others.

As you have discovered, there is more than 1 way to become a nurse -- not just 1 right way -- and you'll have to choose the way that is right for you (which might not be the way that is right for someone else.)

There are 3 types of programs that prepare people to take the licensing exam to be a Registered Nurse (RN). Associates Degree, Diploma, and Bachelor's Degree.

Associates Degrees (ADN or ASN) are designed as 2-year programs offered by a Community College or Technical School. Some universities also offer ADN's. While they were originally developed as 2-year programs, some require that you take a few courses before you begin, making the programs a little longer. Of course, programs also take longer if you only attend classes on a part time basis.

Bachelor's Degrees (BSN or BS with a major in nursing) are granted by colleges or universities and typically take 4 years of full time study. For some programs, you apply and are accepted into the nursing program right after high school and attend college just like students in other majors such as English majors, chemistry majors, etc. For other programs, you don't actually get accepted into the nursing program until after your Freshman or Sophomore year of college. In those programs, the nursing classes are taken in the final 2 years of college.

Diploma programs are typically 3 years long and are run by hospitals -- or a school that is connected to a particular hospital. Because the hospital runs the school for the purpose of producing nurses to work at that hospital, the program is geared a little more toward meeting that particular hospital's needs (which may or may not suit you). However, on the positive side, they usually offer financial assistance to students willing to sign a contract to work at that hospital after graduation.

The quality of the 3 types of programs varies with the particular program. A particular school can be excellent or terrible, depending on the program itself and the people who teach there. One type of program is not necessarily better than another.

However, if you want to advance in your career over time (get promotions and qualify for leadership positions), you will probably have to eventually get beyond the minimal education and get at least a Bachelor's Degree and maybe even a Master's Degree. Because of that, some people prefer to spend the money up-front and begin their careers by getting a Bachelor's Degree (BSN). Other people find that impractical for them and choose to start with an Associate's Degree (ADN) from their local Community College. They then get a job as an RN and go back to school later for a BSN if they are interested in career advancement. Most employers will help pay for some of the costs of doing this. Still other people choose a Diploma program because it best suits their needs. Again, they can return to school later if and when they would like to get a BSN.

I hope this helps clarify things a little. As you explore this website and others a little more, please feel free to ask about anything you don't understand. Also, I encourage you to talk with your guidance counselor to get some facts about the local nursing programs. There should also be a website for your state's Board of Nursing that will list the nursing programs in your state. I strongly encourage you to contact those schools directly to ask about their entry requirements, financial aid available, etc.

Good luck,

llg

Jdunn · Jul 20, 2006

First let me start off by saying thank you for taking the time to heed some advice !!!

The reason why I turned to this board is because I can not count on my school counsler..I dont mean any offense but somehow being in the country produces people who are very uneducated and can not answer the most of simple questions.I know that it might be best for me to start with an Associates in the beginning and continue further education from there,just picking the correct schools is the challenge !!

The best place to start might be your high school guidance
counselor, who should be familiar with the nursing schools in your region of the country.
You'll need to decide what type of educational experience you want and assess your resources as some options are much more expensive than others.
As you have discovered, there is more than 1 way to become a nurse -- not just 1 right way -- and you'll have to choose the way that is right for you (which might not be the way that is right for someone else.)
There are 3 types of programs that prepare people to take the licensing exam to be a Registered Nurse (RN). Associates Degree, Diploma, and Bachelor's Degree.
Associates Degrees (ADN or ASN) are designed as 2-year programs offered by a Community College or Technical School. Some universities also offer ADN's. While they were originally developed as 2-year programs, some require that you take a few courses before you begin, making the programs a little longer. Of course, programs also take longer if you only attend classes on a part time basis.
Bachelor's Degrees (BSN or BS with a major in nursing) are granted by colleges or universities and typically take 4 years of full time study. For some programs, you apply and are accepted into the nursing program right after high school and attend college just like students in other majors such as English majors, chemistry majors, etc. For other programs, you don't actually get accepted into the nursing program until after your Freshman or Sophomore year of college. In those programs, the nursing classes are taken in the final 2 years of college.
Diploma programs are typically 3 years long and are run by hospitals -- or a school that is connected to a particular hospital. Because the hospital runs the school for the purpose of producing nurses to work at that hospital, the program is geared a little more toward meeting that particular hospital's needs (which may or may not suit you). However, on the positive side, they usually offer financial assistance to students willing to sign a contract to work at that hospital after graduation.
The quality of the 3 types of programs varies with the particular program. A particular school can be excellent or terrible, depending on the program itself and the people who teach there. One type of program is not necessarily better than another.
However, if you want to advance in your career over time (get promotions and qualify for leadership positions), you will probably have to eventually get beyond the minimal education and get at least a Bachelor's Degree and maybe even a Master's Degree. Because of that, some people prefer to spend the money up-front and begin their careers by getting a Bachelor's Degree (BSN). Other people find that impractical for them and choose to start with an Associate's Degree (ADN) from their local Community College. They then get a job as an RN and go back to school later for a BSN if they are interested in career advancement. Most employers will help pay for some of the costs of doing this. Still other people choose a Diploma program because it best suits their needs. Again, they can return to school later if and when they would like to get a BSN.
I hope this helps clarify things a little. As you explore this website and others a little more, please feel free to ask about anything you don't understand. Also, I encourage you to talk with your guidance counselor to get some facts about the local nursing programs. There should also be a website for your state's Board of Nursing that will list the nursing programs in your state. I strongly encourage you to contact those schools directly to ask about their entry requirements, financial aid available, etc.
Good luck,
llg

sweet tooth · Jul 20, 2006

A good place to start your search is http://www.sos.state.ga.us where you can get a list of approved nursing schools in GA. Click on prof. lic., then click on registered nurses in the left column. Each school is different, so you just have to research them individually. Some of the schools will require you to complete your core classes before they will accept you into their nursing program. So it may benefit you to go to school closer to home while doing core classes. Then you may transfer to whichever nursing school accepts you. Once you are ready to apply to a nursing program, I recommend that you apply to more than one school. It's a pain, but you may not get your first choice. Also, realize that nursing school is very competitive so you need a really great gpa and they will specifically look at your science grades. Most of the schools will give minimum requirements, but everyone applying exceeds them. As for ASN or BSN, you will have to decide which is right for you. Keep researching. You will also learn a ton from this website. Good luck!!!!!!!!

Jdunn · Jul 21, 2006

WOw-

Thanks for the link and the info !! It seems that I have been going in circles trying to learn the whole process to take once I graduate from H.S, this board and its members are doing a great job in giving info and advice !!! Thanks again for your advice and help !

A good place to start your search is
www.sos.state.ga.us where you can get a list of approved nursing schools in GA. Click on prof. lic., then click on registered nurses in the left column. Each school is different, so you just have to research them individually. Some of the schools will require you to complete your core classes before they will accept you into their nursing program. So it may benefit you to go to school closer to home while doing core classes. Then you may transfer to whichever nursing school accepts you. Once you are ready to apply to a nursing program, I recommend that you apply to more than one school. It's a pain, but you may not get your first choice. Also, realize that nursing school is very competitive so you need a really great gpa and they will specifically look at your science grades. Most of the schools will give minimum requirements, but everyone applying exceeds them. As for ASN or BSN, you will have to decide which is right for you. Keep researching. You will also learn a ton from this website. Good luck!!!!!!!!