Want to be a nurse

muffie, RN · Dec 8, 2006

:welcome: and good luck

arciedee · Dec 8, 2006

Welcome!

A CNA is a great way to start. If you are planning to go on to become a nurse you need to complete your GED. Depending on what courses you took in high school you may need to take some developmental courses (algebra, chemistry, biology) before taking nursing pre-reqs. If so, most community colleges offer such courses. I know for the community collegess in my state the SAT or ACT is optional, but recommended. You'd have to ask schools you are interested in whether they require them. Also, many nursing schools require a special nursing school entrance exam (NLN or similar). Again, the nursing department could advise you about which one you would need to take.

Good luck to you!

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 8, 2006

I agree with Arciedee about the SAT/ACT. After you obtain your GED you will need to attend college for at least a year to obtain your pre requ classes and your gen ed classes (non- nursing classes you need for the degree). That year or more of college is where you will prove yourself with your GPA so there should not be a need to take the SAT or ACT. hope this helps

Swtooth

lostinparadise · Dec 8, 2006

Hi and :welcome:

at my college you just have to take a placement test, so they can figure out where you are and which classes at what level you can take. so you probably won't need to take the SAT. Congratulations to your decision and good luck!!!!!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2006

hi, ally!

i'm posting some links for you to explore that have information about nursing. i've also included two links to lists of rn and lpn nursing schools in maine from the maine board of nursing. your best bet is to contact the school(s) of nursing you are interested in attending. most schools have websites these days. each school has different admission requirements so it's important that you have an idea of what school you want to attend and check to see what they require in order to be accepted in their nursing program. the schools counseling departments should also be able to give you information about the sat and act tests and if they are required for entrance into their colleges. i'm giving you a link to the company that writes the sat test. you should be able to find a website for the act test by doing a search on the internet.

you might also want to look at the cna - nursing assistant discussions forum on allnurses at this link https://allnurses.com/forums/f265/

welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

http://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/board%20information/rnschools.htm - rn programs

http://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/board%20information/lpnschools.htm - lpn programs

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos165.htm - information on nursing assistants (cna) from the u.s. department of labor

registered nurses - about registered nursing from the u.s. department of labor

http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm - about lpn nursing from the u.s. department of labor

http://www.discovernursing.com/

http://www.nursingsociety.org/career/cmap.html

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/42226.html - "thinking about nursing school? consider your many options" from the college board. you can also move around to other areas on this large site to get information about the sat and clep exams. there is also information on this site on applying to college.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html - about the sat

http://nursing.about.com/od/becomeanurse/bb/beforenurse.htm - "before you decide to become a nurse". things to consider about being a nurse. lots of links to information about what skills you need to become a nurse. and, what if you're really bad at math and science is discussed.

http://nursing.about.com/od/becomeanurse/a/notforeveryone.htm - "nursing is not for everyone". this is a very down to earth and honest article that broadly discusses what a nurse does and what you can expect on the job as a nurse.

http://nursing.about.com/od/nursingshortage/a/transferskills.htm - "nurses skills transfer to other professions". a list of 8 basic job skills that nurses are able to perform making them desirable for hire in many other professions.

nurse exam prep info - information on the various pre-nursing exams that some nursing schools require you to take as part of their decision to admit you to their nursing school

hope2beanurse · Dec 11, 2006

Thank you all so much. I'm going to be taking my GEd test this spring prolly or sooner want to get some good study time in first.

Ally

lady_db_programmer · Dec 12, 2006

Thank you all so much. I'm going to be taking my GEd test this spring prolly or sooner want to get some good study time in first.
Ally

Don't forget to study for the GED.

I've never taken it but I hear it's not easy.

stpauligirl · Dec 12, 2006

Don't forget to study for the GED.
I've never taken it but I hear it's not easy.

After I came to the US I had to start all over academically, including studying for a GED. My college had a Learning Resource Center which helped students prepare for the test. I did great and I am now almost finished with my prerequisites towards nursing. Definitely seek help from your school with the preparation for the GED.

lady_db_programmer · Dec 12, 2006

After I came to the US I had to start all over academically, including studying for a GED. My college had a Learning Resource Center which helped students prepare for the test. I did great and I am now almost finished with my prerequisites towards nursing. Definitely seek help from your school with the preparation for the GED.

My cousin dropped out of high school after too many absences meant he'd basically flunk every single class. Rather than repeat the year, he decided to take the GED; and since he'd heard it was easy, he didn't study and therefore flunked it the first time he took it. He's not stupid; just lazy. He buckled down and studied and passed it the second time but it was harder than he thought it would be.

BeccaznRN, RN · Dec 14, 2006

All of the other posts have excellent advice - I just wanted to drop in and wish you the best as you pursue your GED and nursing degree. Welcome!

stpauligirl · Dec 14, 2006

My cousin dropped out of high school after too many absences meant he'd basically flunk every single class. Rather than repeat the year, he decided to take the GED; and since he'd heard it was easy, he didn't study and therefore flunked it the first time he took it. He's not stupid; just lazy. He buckled down and studied and passed it the second time but it was harder than he thought it would be.

You are right, it isn't easy and I had a great teacher in the Learning Center working through the practice tests with me. I spent many mornings there practice practice and practice some more, especially math which is my weakness in the first place. But I did it! Glad your cousin passed it, too. At least he did it, many wouldn't go back.