I want to know what the process is for a traditional student to become a nurse. So out of High School the student goes in to a college with a nursing program, what major do they pick? how long does it last if everything is done correctly? do they go straight in to a nursing program from high school and it takes 4 years to become a licensed nurse? assuming he or she is going for his bachelors full time. Or do you goto college for a while and then scream to all your friends "i got into the nursing program!" and from there is now 4 years. is it? Sorry I have no knowledge
NOW
How does all that^ differ from me, a 30 year old with his GED who has never been to college? is it possible to follow the same process? i notice most schools only have options for adults who want to continue meaning hotel management and tourism and health coding etc. Does it exist? is there a college for adults who want to feel traditional because they couldn't 10, 20 and 30 years ago? sorry a bit confused! thanks!
So there's 3 different ways to become a nurse. LPN (called something else in some areas) is a 1-2 year degree, you're a nurse but your scope of practice is more limited and so is pay usually. ADN is a 2-3 year degree and at this level you become a RN. BSN is a 4-5 year bachelors degree and at this level you're also a RN. ADN and BSN are the same in scope of practice but more and more places are preferring BSN. Most schools are pretty competitive, so make sure to keep your grades up from the get go. Find a school that has a good reputation and talk to someone in the Health Sciences Department (may be called something similar to this). You can look up the department phone number on the schools website. At the university I attend, my science and math classes almost had more non-traditional than traditional students. We're all doing the same thing though, I mean the only difference is age.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
very reputable schools like NYU, Columbia and Pace wich are all extremely close to my home have great info but neither would look at me.
Of course these prestigious schools wouldn't look at you as it stands today. You have not yet completed any college coursework, so they have nothing upon which to base their decision. If these schools have the luxury of rejecting applicants with 4.0 grade point averages (a.k.a. straight 'A' students), they do not need to look at you.
However, these schools would take a serious look at you if you earn 'A' grades in your prerequisite coursework sequence and earn competitive test scores on any required entrance exams before applying. This would give them some indication that you can handle the rigors of college level courses.
I'm doing my nursing pre-requisites right now at a community college, my program is listed as Associate in General Studies. I will apply to the nursing program next April.
Thanks everyone i am pretty inspired, I applied to a group of NY Unis at once and am visiting a counselor on monday with my finished application. Most of the schools have ADN only and maybe one has BSN. They all say you have to go in as UDH (Undeclared health Major) then work my way into the program.
One question for you guys who have started at a CC and then transferred to a 4 year, it would have to be a school that accepts your previous school's pre reqs in order to apply to the new schools program?
Having classes without "young ones" won't be possible. They don't offer classes based on age---college is not kindergarten
Thanks guys, no I don't mean dorming lol i would even want to avoid taking classes with the young ones if possible. I mean corse wise. It seems like all i keep getting offered are these adult programs that barely count. I will def speak to a counselor this week.
What major did most of you guys choose as freshmen?
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Moved to the Pre-Nursing Student forum for more responses.