Becoming a nurse...?

Question

I need a change in my life...i've always wanted to be a teacher or nurse. I love helping people and everyone tells me that those two careers fit me perfectly based on my "people" skills and caring nature. I want to make a difference in healthcare today, i currently work in administration at a hospital, but want to be more hands on with patients that i see walking around the hospital. I am not sure where to start...I have some college, but don't have a degree. I am 27 and don't want to waste time or money with schooling that is not needed. Please only serious answers. What are the steps I should take...i hear from MANY people this is a rewarding career on many levels. How long is schooling, what trade schools should I avoid? What type of degree do I need? Thank you...

I live in california, would probably finish whatever general ed needed for the courses, i have a TON of english and know i need more science and anatomy. Either los positas, los lomas or cal state east bay are my best options as dvc doesn't have a nursing program. I work full time and am limited to what i can spend on schooling and receive for financial aid. i'm one of those "make too much for full financial aid" but not enough to make up the difference or qualify for the loan.

Answer 1

Well you have a great start; your heart's in the right place. There are two RN degrees available: 1. ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) it is a 2 year program and you come out with your RN designation.
2.) BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) this is a 4 year program and you learn more management skills with the BSN.

The 2 year program is offered at many Community colleges all over the US.
You'll need to apply for the program as space is usually limited. I suggest getting the prerequsites out of the way first such as: Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology and any others you do not have like: english, history, math. The more prerequsite classes you have prior to applying increases your chance to be accepted.
It'll take some work but it will be worth it.

Answer 2

i don't know exactly where you live, but many community colleges offer 2 year associate programs that make you eligible to take the Registered Nurse Exams. The biggest problem with nurses' training is getting into the school or program. A few years ago I got laid off my petroleum industry job and was considering getting into nursing, but despite already having a degree, and previously working as an LPN, I had to retake some courses and also take Anatomy&Physiology, English and Psychology as absolute required pre-requisites. The grades from those courses the scores from the HESI test and the number and grades from some other co requisites (such as pharmacology, nutrition, developmental psychology, microbiology, a second semester of Anatomy, speech/communication and one physical sctivity course) for nursing school were all taken into account. Basically, I started in the fall of 2003 and was admitted to the Nursing school Jan 2005 at the earliest. Then the actual nursing school would have been 2 years from then. LPN is shorter schooling, but not by much. The demand for nurses is strong and in most places salaries are 40-50k/year. For the record, so you don't feel so old, I was 53 when I started my nurses schooling and I pulled straight "A's" - I was awarded the top biological sciences student award and got another one for the independent research I did. I was offered a full 2 year scholarship for Nursing School. Sadly, I declined and went back into the oil business since I am a money whore and I have kids in college. My credits are still good for a couple of years yet and I get calls every semester from the school inviting me back to attend - I suppose I would be some sort of poster child for "returning" students.

Answer 3

As a nurse, I've had a lot bad experiences and I'm looking to get out of the career field. There is no respect, hours are long, pay isn't good enough to make up for the b.s. But, you asked how, not if, you should do it.

So. School can take anywhere from one year to four to get your license, depending on where you are and what you want to do. If you're close to the states and want to be a nurse there, you can join a county program and be an LPN (licensed practical nurse) in a year. You can go to a community college for two years and get a little more information, either getting your LPN or your RN degree. Myself, I went to a four-year RN (Registered Nurse) bachelor degree program. I wouldn't recommend that; instead I'd say, do the two year program and see if you like it. Then if you do, follow up with your bachelor degree and RN license, which will help you climb the ladder and maybe eventually be a nurse administrator, or get your advanced degree and become a practitioner. The four year program is too much theory and too little hands-on experience in most cases; the one year degree is too little.

Keep in mind this is all in the states. I'm from Buffalo and you can get a nursing job anywhere there. Still, I don't care. It's not worth any amount of money for me, personally, to continue hospital care. I wanted to help people when I started out, but am very disillusioned at this point. We often get taken for granted in the extreme; we get verbally abused, by doctors as well as patients. You seem to have thought it over carefully, but I'd strongly advise you work as a nurse assistant or something like that to see what it's like, even if just for a few months. A lot of people can tell you what they think of the career, but only experience is going to tell you whether or not it's for you.

Whatever you do, don't join the military.

Answer 4

At the age of 27 you are still at a perfect age to take up nursing . Some people take it up at the age of 40 or later. Age is not a factor. From my understanding there is a 2 year and a 4 year degree program(s). Start out by checking out the colleges and universitys near your home. Go to a real college and not one of these "private" schools that charge an arm and a leg. Don't hesitate to start .. do what you want in your life. Start NOW. I wish you the best of luck ! God Bless You. :)

Answer 5

Most LPN progams run 18 months, so it's something you could do while continuing to work. If you're in the NYC area, Medgar Evers college has a program that is reasonably priced. Once you've obtained LPN certification, you could work towards your RN.

Answer 6

Just go be a R.N., it is only a 2 year degree, and you would be just turning 30. GO FOR IT!