Starting Out

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Hi, I'm new to this forum and would just first like to comment how great to find a site like this for start-up students such as myself.

So I recently just graduated with a Bachelor degree in Business Management. I really hate business and was always more interested in science, so a year ago I decided to get a nursing degree after my first business degree.

I am current enrolled in East Los Angeles College to complete my pre-requisites to apply for nursing program in either CSULA, PCC, or LACC (please tell me other options if you know any that's in the Monterey Park area). Even after reading so much stuff about nursing, it seems like everytime I learn something new, 3 more questions pops out. So I hope people here are able to answer them for me. Thanks in advance.

1) So can anyone tell me the core steps that are needed to becoming a nurse?

2) Which school's nursing programs do you recommend?

3) I was looking over job listings on hospital websites, and a lot of them require nurses to have PALS and ACLS. How do I get it? Can I take the courses before becoming a R.N.? If so, where do you recommend me to take it?

4) I read that it's good to become a CNA before a RN, do you think so? I'm currently 23 years old this year, and would like to finish my degree and get a job soon to help out the family and pay off loans.

5) What other certifications or classes do you recommend me to take during my spare time?

6) When you get your license as a RN and you are working at a hospital, do you get to pick what field to work in? or do you work at wherever they station you?

7) What other city college classes do you recommend me to take other than the pre-requisit classes?

8) I registered to take both Anatomy and Physiology class during this fall semester, do you advice me to do so? I am a good test taker and am willing to read and study.

Thank you all who took the time to read my long post. If anyone can provide me with extra help or are nice enough to be my mentor, I would greatly appreciate it. :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

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Hello future nurse,

I just started a program for an Associate's degree in Nursing at Kaplan College down in San Diego, CA. I am currently taking some prerequisite courses and a nursing class. Taking Anatomy and Physiology together at the same time can be difficult, but the two classes go hand in hand. The information on body structure from Anatomy is used to describe the functions of the body in Physiology. I am also a CNA, and though this is not an absolute requirement for becoming a nurse, one should at least be aware of what a CNAs are obligated to do. CNAs are available to assist nurses with residents, specifically with resident's activities of daily living (ADLs). If you found a good program that can qualify you for taking the NCLEX, then go for it. Many (if not, all) colleges and universities have impacted nursing programs, so sign up and do as much as you can now.

GOOD LUCK!

-you'll do great, just keep trying.

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I just graduated with a business degree too, I also can't stand it! I'm taking A&P I and nutrition this summer. At my local community college A&P are taught together in the same class which makes sense since form & function go hand in hand. I think you'll be find taking them together especially since you seem like you have the drive to get through it.

I've been playing with the idea of becoming a CNA as well, for me financially it doesn't make sense because I'm making more money in business right now and I'd like to pay off as much of my first round of student loans as I can and pay for my nursing degree out of pocket. So now I'm thinking of maybe still getting it and just picking up one shift per week. I've also thought about getting doula certified since I'm really interested in L&D and NICU.

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I am also just starting out in Nursing. I start my pre-nursing courses this August. They have me taking Psychology 101, Communications 111, Biology/Botany 202, & Chemistry 101 this fall. The reason I have to do all this is I'm not the typical student. I'm 38. While growing up, I was raised to think women should get married, have kids, stay at home & raise them. I did. My youngest is soon to be 16. I decided I want more out of life than just getting by. I've always wanted to be a nurse-so now I'm going for it! I was a CNA years ago while my kids were little. It just didn't make sense to spend my entire paycheck on daycare, so I got out of it. Paying for daycare for 3 kids was crazy:bugeyes:

During next summer, I will take my nutrition class & 1 or 2 of my electives. Next year I will take A&P together. Around here you have to. They go hand and hand. Even when I looked into Medical Assisting, it was together.

It does make sense to pay on student loans you already have before or while going on to the next thing. Who wants to have a bigger bill if it can be helped.

Lots of luck in all that you do, I'm sure you'll do great!:yeah:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

At this point, don't worry about certifying in ACLS or PALS. If it's even technically possible to do so without your license, it would be extremely impractical if not impossible to comprehend the course content without a nursing education.

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Thanks for reassuring me about A&P class, but what is doula certified, L&D and NICU? Sorry I don't know that much about nursing yet.

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Are there any Travel Nurses out there? Just wondering about what type & how much experience best to get into travel nursing? When I do go to work, how long should I stay at 1 position before moving on to get the best experience for traveling?

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