hi everyone, i'm new here.
well, as the subject line would imply, i'm considering going back to school to become a nurse. i'm 26 (as of nov. 29th, huzzah), and graduated from california state university, long beach last may. about a week after i graduated, i broke my knee in a ridiculous motorcycle accident. needless to say, i was on my ass for a couple of months while i waited to heal. by late september, i'm back on my feet and ready to use my newly acquired BA in communications to look for a job. unfortunately, as i'm sure you'll all aware, that's about the same time the stock market decided to take a dive. the only jobs out there right now seem to be sales jobs. not exactly the kind of position i saw myself in, especially the way the economy is now. but i digress.
seeing as how i'm not thrilled with the options open to me, i've decided to go back to school and really go after something i'd like to do. the medical field as always fascinated me and i'm thinking of becoming a nurse.
this is where you guys come in. i need some advice. i don't really know anyone in the medicine to get some sound personal advice, so i've turned to the internet. i've done a bit of research and narrowed down a couple of options i see open to me right now: i could become a CNA and get a feel for what nursing is like (i realize it's a completely different job from being an RN) before i put in the time and effort into becoming a full-fledged RN. or, i could just go right back to school and get my BSN without putting in any time as a CNA. i also understand that there are master's entry programs in nursing for people who carry a bachelor's in a different major that would like to get into nursing.
i'm sorry this post is so damn long, but i'd appreciate any advice you'd all be willing to give. what do you guys think? is it worth it to become a CNA first, or should i just go for a BSN, or an MSN for that matter? if anyone knows some good resources i could check out to research nursing before i could get into it, i'd appreciate that as well. like i said, i'm kinda on my own trying to learn about nursing, so i appreciate any help. thanks!
First and foremost, welcome to the site! Furthermore, below you will find a list of nursing specialties with details as to the responsibilities of each.
Nursing Careers - Discover Nursing
There are tons of options available once you have a nursing degree. You should find the one that suits you best and pursue it.
Welcome to the site!
Just to let you know, out where I am, schools pretty much want one to get their CNA before starting clinicals....mainly to get some experience and all. As for the merits of getting a BSN vs. MSN, well...that is up to you. I *finally* got my BSN, after doing several years as an LPN. Everyone is different.
Hope you stop by often for support, no matter what your decision.
Hi Blank,
Glad to have you aboard. This site is an open door to information all across the field of nursing- what's good, what's not so good, how we got in the field, and so on. You might appreciate hearing that you're in very good company because like you, many of us are in nursing as a second or even more career. My recommendation for getting started is to job shadow a nurse in at least one area of practice ie;emergency, medical-surgical, telemetry, etc. You can do that by contacting the commuity relations department at any hospital. Doing so will allow you to get an idea of what the work is like from the provider versus patient standpoint and give you an opportunity to pick a few brains too. After doing this, you will have a better idea if the field is a fit and then you can work out whether to do the CNA route or direct entry. A deciding factor will likely be your financial need and current earning capacity. You can ask about this while job shadowing and of course, ask us here too.
Good luck and stay in touch,
R
thanks for the warm welcome, it's much appreciated! not all of the other nursing forums i've visited are helpful or cool to newbies. thanks also for the tips. i'll keep them in mind.
in my situation, money isn't really that big of an issue. i'm lucky enough to be in a fairly well-off family, despite the crappy economy, and my parents have said that they'd help me out in any way they can as far as school goes.
i've done some research and asked the same questions i've asked you guys in other forums. seems that the consensus for the best path to becoming an RN would be to be a CNA first, and after working a bit and getting familiar with the job, going back and getting a BSN. i live in southern california, and one of the local colleges offers a CNA program that only takes a semester to finish. it's a total of 7 units. does this sound consistent with how long a CNA program SHOULD take to you guys? and if i DID become a CNA and wanted to go for my RN, do employers typically help out or accommodate their CNA's in any way to become nurses? thanks again for the help, guys.
Back when I did my CNA program, it was just 2 weeks worth of classes with 1 week on the floor.
blankenstein wrote:thanks for the warm welcome, it's much appreciated! not all of the other nursing forums i've visited are helpful or cool to newbies. thanks also for the tips. i'll keep them in mind.
in my situation, money isn't really that big of an issue. i'm lucky enough to be in a fairly well-off family, despite the crappy economy, and my parents have said that they'd help me out in any way they can as far as school goes.
i've done some research and asked the same questions i've asked you guys in other forums. seems that the consensus for the best path to becoming an RN would be to be a CNA first, and after working a bit and getting familiar with the job, going back and getting a BSN. i live in southern california, and one of the local colleges offers a CNA program that only takes a semester to finish. it's a total of 7 units. does this sound consistent with how long a CNA program SHOULD take to you guys? and if i DID become a CNA and wanted to go for my RN, do employers typically help out or accommodate their CNA's in any way to become nurses? thanks again for the help, guys.
Hey again Blank,
I was never a CNA but all of the programs that I've known about run around six weeks. RNmedic, you must've been an accelerated student or been given credit for prior experience, because I've never heard of a three week training. At any rate, doing the college route will give you training AND college credits too, which makes sense. On the other hand, you could enroll in a nursing program and apply for your CNA certificate and license after the first semester- kill two birds with one stone. This will save you a few steps in the process unless the nursing program that you target has a waiting list. Think about it.
To answer your other question about employer support, it's been my experience that all healhcare institutions will make some accommodations in scheduling and tuition reimbursement but they vary in how they do it. You shouldn't have any trouble getting work hours compatible with your class schedule because you're in a 24/7 environment. You may have to be a little creative and work on different floors but that helps in the experience department. Very often the nursing student/CNA gets adopted by a floor and stays after graduation. If you work hard and prove yourself to the staff, you're in forever. They will teach you, support you, give way too much advice, try to run your life, become extended family and so on. You will both love and hate it but that's nursing.
Keep the questions coming.
R
When I got my CNA, I didn't have to take any classes- I was already done with my first 2 years of my BSN, so they counted that- I just took the state's test and got my certification.
Well, CNA was my first medical certification, I had no prior experience in ANYTHING medical. I took the free course at LifeCare Center of Sparta, it was 5 days a week from 8-3 for two weeks, then you spent 1 week on the floor and that made you eligable to take the state exam. They still offer these classes to this day, mind you it was CNA I not CNA II.
I didnt start EMT School until a year after that, Then one year after that I started Paramedic school, followed by RN school, etc.
well, college credits shouldn't be a big deal for me. i've already got a BA in communications from california state university, long beach, so i imagine most, if not all, of my GE stuff would be taken care of if i went for a BSN. granted, i'm sure i'd need to take some prerequisites before getting into the BSN program proper.
what about schooling? i live in the los angeles area, and i know there are a number of good schools around to get my BSN. given what i've heard from you guys and others, i'd probably get my CNA certification first, then work as one while i get my BSN, especially if an employer will help me out.
are any of you in the south bay area of CA? if so, where did you get your BSN, or if you don't live here, do you happen to know what schools i should check out?
Hello Blank,
If you're looking to work at the bedside, I'd consider the CNA. If you're goal is management, minimal patient contact, I'd go for a BSN/Masters first.
When people are on the fence about nursing, I do recommend that they work as a CNA for three months. Figure if they can handle that, get comfortable with touching patients, organizing their time and learning to like the close contact with patients, then nursing school will come easier for them.
It's an easy way to get a feel for the career. While you're working as a CNA you'll be working with nurses, seeing the stresses that come with the job and the rewards. You can ask your questions, see if you'd enjoy doing what the nurses are.
You can find more info on CNAs at
http://www.nursefriendly.com/cna/
Any other questions, do post a note!
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com