Starting nursing school/career and have ?'s

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I just joined and I have to say this is a tremendous site and resource. My wife (she's not as adventurous yet wrt internet mb posting!) has her heart set on becoming a nurse...specifically a mother-baby nurse, although she realizes she may have to put in time doing something else to eventually reach this position. She went to a 4yr university about 15 yrs ago (she's 34) and took a bunch of classes but didn't finish. She probably has about 2 years worth of core classes. After researching, it seems that the most efficient/expedient way to get into nursing is through a Nursing diploma prgram at a nearby Tech college (West Central Tech, in west Atlanta). She will take core courses, many of which she can exempt by transfer, starting this fall and next fall her occupational classes, at which point she can test to get her LPN. This is where my questions begin:

1) Am a correct in assuming she will need an RN to be a mother-baby nurse?

2) Is anyone out there familiar with West Central Tech's (metro Atlanta) LPN/RN program and how it works? Can she complete the 2 year LPN program and go right into the 2 year RN program?

Any other helpful tips given the above would be most helpful!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hi and welcome,

I'm not familiar with that school but I would make very sure the courses will be accepted by another institution if she decides to get her RN. My LPN program was only a year and then I did 2 semesters with the 2nd year of a RN class so with pre-reqs I was done in 3 years. Yes, getting her RN will open more doors to opportunities for her. She should also check into an accelerated BSN program because they have some good ones for people that have a bachelors.

Get her to post here! :)

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

Hi! Congratulations to your wife on deciding to become a nurse! I also live in West Atlanta, and am familiar with the school you're talking about. I checked into in when I was looking at schools. I believe that if your wife did get her LPN, she would be able to work on a mother-baby floor at a hospital, but would work under the direction of an RN and wouldn't have all the same responsibilities as an RN.

West Central Tech is on the quarter system. I'm not sure about the LPN program, but I believe the RN program is six quarters, so about a year and a half after she finishes her prerequisites. If she did get her LPN, she would want to find a school with an LPN to RN program which West Central Tech doesn't have. Honestly, if I were her I would probably go straight for the RN program at West Central Tech. The LPN program is 90 credits, and the RN program is 108 credits. Why not take the 2 extras quarters now and get paid more right off the bat? Then she wouldn't have to worry about going back to school while trying to work. Just my opinion. I'm sure there are a lot of people on here who will disagree with me, and they'll let you know! Good luck!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

I forgot to say that Georgia State has an accelerated BSN program for people who don't have a previous bachelor's degree. I took about 4 quarters of prereqs and then was able to get into this program. I start in August and will be done in December of 2009. It's something to look into if she's interested.

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Hi! Congratulations to your wife on deciding to become a nurse! I also live in West Atlanta, and am familiar with the school you're talking about. I checked into in when I was looking at schools. I believe that if your wife did get her LPN, she would be able to work on a mother-baby floor at a hospital, but would work under the direction of an RN and wouldn't have all the same responsibilities as an RN.

West Central Tech is on the quarter system. I'm not sure about the LPN program, but I believe the RN program is six quarters, so about a year and a half after she finishes her prerequisites. If she did get her LPN, she would want to find a school with an LPN to RN program which West Central Tech doesn't have. Honestly, if I were her I would probably go straight for the RN program at West Central Tech. The LPN program is 90 credits, and the RN program is 108 credits. Why not take the 2 extras quarters now and get paid more right off the bat? Then she wouldn't have to worry about going back to school while trying to work. Just my opinion. I'm sure there are a lot of people on here who will disagree with me, and they'll let you know! Good luck!

Thanks JennieB! Can she enter straight into the RN program without an LPN? I guess the issue is, she would need to get a good score on the NLN pre-RN exam. Looking at their website it really doesn't say anything about needing to have an LPN license. Also at play is the Hope Grant covers tuition plus some other expenses and we would be out of pocket at a 4 year school. You in Douglas or Carroll? We're in Villa Rica so Waco is very close. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

Yes, she absolutely can enter straight into the RN program! If she wants to be an RN anyways, it would probably be a better move to go straight into that program. Less money. I understand about the Hope grant. I didn't qualify because I was out of state, and then had too many credits. If your wife gets the study guide for the NLN exam, she shouldn't have a problem. It's on the NLN website.

http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763724863/?AID=483

I took the NET test, which is a similar test, studied for a few days beforehand, and got a really good score. The math is pretty simple, but the reading part can be hard. If she studies the study guide, she'll get a good feel for how the questions will be and will probably do much better. I live in Villa Rica too! In Paulding County. Where are you guys at? I hope this all helps!!

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Just a thought:

A lot of schools have 2nd degree accelerated bachelors degree program that one can complete in about a year (give or take a couple months). If she has a bachelors degree already, this might be something to look into. They are very challenging programs because the course work is crammed into a shorter time, but it was a great option for me.

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JennieB, we live in Hampton Park off of 101 (left at the 3 way). Wow, small world. She'll be excited to know that's an option. I guess we just figured you had to go the LPN route first but now that I look back at the reqs it doesn't mention it. Anyway, you've been very helpful!

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Specializes in ER.

Hi!

I live in Cobb but I take classes at GSU and will start the program at Kennesaw in the fall.

Generally speaking, you need to take:

Microbiology

Chem I and II

Anatomy and Physiology

Into Psych

Abnormal Pysch

to begin the nursing sequence as an accelerated student.

For traditional, you have to have all of the above except Abnormal. Traditional track anticipates that you will also take general requirements at the same time.

My advice would be to take courses at GSU or Perimeter and evaluate what program works best for her. Perimeter has an ADN I believe while KSU and GSU have BSN programs. Emory supposedly offers some amazing financial aid and a great program.

For what its worth, I don't have an LPN.

Also, lots of the traditional students I know complete the Adult Health nursing clinicals and try to find a job as a Nurse Extern or Patient Care Tech which gets them in the field at an admittedly lower rate, your wife may consider this option as well while she is in nursing school as it provides some income and some experience in the field as well!

Finally, KSU and GSU's websites spell the ENTIRE program out on their websites.

http://www.gsu.edu. (byrdine is the school of nursing)

http://www.kennesaw.edu (Wellstar is the school of nursing)

Good luck and tell the Mrs. I said to GO FOR IT!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

We live off of 61 in the Georgian neighborhood. That's so funny. It is a very small world. So glad I could be helpful to you guys. Good luck to your wife.

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JennieB, nice community. I love the Georgian. Rosewood, one of the builders over there built our community as well. Thanks again.

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Specializes in ICU.

be a supportive husband (as you obviously are) and tell her to go straight to RN school......more money, more opportunities, more easily employeed after grad.......oh, don't forget, dishes, cooking and laundry when she has to study is a REAL good thing to do :wink2: . good luck to you both!

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