[Invulnerable]

Hey everybody, Im 17 and I'm currently in highschool, I seriously want to become a nurse and I've read alot of things about nursing and its something I would like to be, I always cared about my friends and they usually think its weird that I care so much about everybody and nursing seems to be perfect for me since im like that, I also want to work in the hospital since it seems very exciting there! The reason I created this thread though is because I have some questions, my most important one is that this site states that I need to take 2-4 years of math, english and other classes, so my question is that if I graude high school and have all the required classes such as algebra 1,2 and geomtery finished, would I still have to take them at college or would I start the training immediatly?
And the other important question is that are there some programs I should get involved in that would prepare me or kinda show me around about around nursing? Thats it I guess and thanks for helping...

[cassioo]

you would have to take required college classes but ifyou've done well in your highschool classes then college ones should be easier.
If your school hasa health career field class take that. You can volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home or see if you can get a part time job in the hospital in dietary, transportation or gift shop. You could go to the redcross and get CPR class also to get started and volunteer at the redcross blood drives

[nursinghumor]

Your highschool courses won't count towards the college courses because they're a lot more work when you take them in College. Usually you can start nursing courses after 30-60 credits (for an associates program) or 60-90 for a BSN program.

For now, you could volunteer in a hospital, ask to "shadow" a nurse, that is follow her around on a typical day to see what it is like. Visit, http://www.discovernursing.com it highlights different types of nurses.

You might find these articles written by nurses about the profession helpful.
http://www.nursefriendly.com/views

Wish you luck!

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinghumor.com

[SteveD]

I’ve always believed in taking things in steps. Get yourself a job in the hospital working as an aide or patient care assistant or whatever they call them in the H. if you learn nothing else, at least you'd have learned what it's like being the low guy, and you'll develop a respect for the hard work they do.

Also, if you're a real zealot, get yourself a good med-surg and anatomy/physiology book. That’ll give you a real foot-up!

[nursinghumor]

I agree with Steve about working in the hospital.

They pay is more than working at McDonald's flipping burgers and usually you get benefits too.

It will give you a bird's eye view of nursing and interactions between nurses, patients, doctors, etc.

Many people find out very quickly after working as a CNA if being a nurse is really for them.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com