Future RN, Just Starting College

[alexnick]

I'm a teen at the age of 16, really interested in the career of an RN. I'm going to start volunteering at a hospital near where I live, and I'll be officially attending college this Spring. (I've taken my GED to skip my last two years of high school and get a start on my college education.) From what I've read an RN with an Associate's Degree typically takes two years?

I'm excited to be making 50k by the time I'm 18 :-D

[pipingmad]

good luck!

just remember, that 2yr time frame for an associate's degree is usually for the nursing classes, which is counted AFTER meeting all of the prereqs and getting into the program.

[alexnick]

Originally Posted by pipingmad

good luck!

just remember, that 2yr time frame for an associate's degree is usually for the nursing classes, which is counted AFTER meeting all of the prereqs and getting into the program.

Thanks for the support and the info
I'm going to start volunteering at a hospital around here just to see what it's like as well.

Anyone have any experiences or advice they'd like to share about getting their Associate's?

[Ricu]

Hi Alex,

You really sound enthusiastic and that's good. Getting volunteer experience is an excellent idea because you will see the broader spectrum in healthcare; more than nursing. As you take it all in, remember that everything you see being done is much harder than it looks. The biggest part of nursing or any health career job is the thinking that goes on behind the tasks. You really have to know what you're doing. Your completing highschool early in anticipation of entering nursing school right away is commendable, but you should know that many nursing schools have waiting lists for enrollment. Check your nearby nursing schools to see if there is class space for you but if not, don't get discouraged. Keep that academic momentum going and take the necessary pre and corequisite courses. Enroll in whichever school you choose and plan to take an entrance exam. Don't worry, this isn't a pass/fail test, it's used to help the academic advisors place you into the appropriate course load. If you end up on a waiting list for nursing, your advisor will help you plan out the other courses needed to get your degree. There will be at least two full time semesters of classwork for an associate degree regardless so just get started and good luck. One more thing, while it won't take very long to earn the income that you quoted, it isn't what nurses make right out of school. Expect to work up to that over a few years time. Keep us posted on your progress.

R

[OldSquidNewNurse]

I'm in a ADN program right now. I've seen a lot of the younger people drop out once they get to the hospital for clinicals since it's not what they expect. Good idea to get your feet wet prior to making a commitment.

[alexnick]

Thanks for the very helpful advice. I start classes my prereq classes this Spring, and should be finished with those by the following Spring semester. Any idea on what I should do with the 1-3 year waiting time to get into the program?

[Ricu]

Originally Posted by alexnick

Thanks for the very helpful advice. I start classes my prereq classes this Spring, and should be finished with those by the following Spring semester. Any idea on what I should do with the 1-3 year waiting time to get into the program?

Hi again, Alexnick,

When it's all done, do you plan to have an associate or baccelaureate degree? For long term job security, I recommend a BSN and with that said, you might consider taking the necessary courses toward completing that degree. If you aren't already enrolled there, you would need to find the school nearby that will award a BSN and learn what the requirements are for completing it. I say it that way because you can save a lot of tuition cost by taking as many of the courses as possible at a community school and transfer the credit. By the time you do that undergraduate work, you will already be in the nursing program or not have a long wait to get there. If you aren't up for the BSN and want to gain work experience while you wait, consider becoming a CNA or EMT- or both. This will get you valuable work experience and the patient care exposure that you are looking for. They are certificate programs that most hospitals, LTC facilities or allied health schools offer. You can work as an EMT in the prehospital rescue setting or in the hospital emergency department. It's exciting work and gives you the opportunity to develop critical assessment skills and learn crisis management. As a CNA/LNA you will work on the nursing units and do direct patient care. It will give you the most exposure to exactly what nurses do and what patient care is really like. Either way, working both jobs will keep you busy, keep you learning and give you some money too. In the ICU where I work, there is an LNA who is also a volunteer EMT and a nursing student. She's developed incredible skills already and will make an excellent nurse.

Take care,

R

[orionseal]

Originally Posted by alexnick

I'm a teen at the age of 16, really interested in the career of an RN. I'm going to start volunteering at a hospital near where I live, and I'll be officially attending college this Spring. (I've taken my GED to skip my last two years of high school and get a start on my college education.) From what I've read an RN with an Associate's Degree typically takes two years?

I'm excited to be making 50k by the time I'm 18 :-D

THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK, SO PLEASE NOBODY CURSE ME OUT FOR WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY.

I THINK YOU NEED A LITTLE INJECTION OF A BIT OF REALITY INTO YOUR PLAN HERE KID.

THIS IS A SERIOUS FIELD OF WORK YOU PLAN TO THRUST YOURSELF INTO AND A BIG PAYCHECK IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO JUMP WITHOUT CHECKING THE WATER TEMP FIRST, SO I COMMEND YOU FOR THE INSIGHT OF WANTING TO VOLUNTEER FIRST. WAY TO GO!

WITH A JOB LIKE THIS YOU HOLD PEOPLES LIVES IN YOUR HANDS ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS.
NOT A DAY GOES BY WHEN I WORK THAT I DON'T GET A LITTLE FLUTTER IN MY GUTS OVER DECISIONS I HAVE TO MAKE. SOME QUESTIONS THAT GO THROUGH MY HEAD ARE, DID I MAKE THE CORRECT CALL ON THAT?, SHOULD I CALL THE DOCTOR? (the answer is always yes to this one if you ask it of yourself.), WHAT IF?, DOSE THIS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?, DID THE DOCTOR MAKE A MISTAKE ON THIS CALL??????. YES DOCTORS MAKE MISTAKES AND IT'S OUR JOB AS NURSES TO CATCH THEM IF WE CAN. WHAT IF WE DON'T CATCH IT, WHAT THEN?

BECOMING A NURSE IS NOT ALL COOING AND BATHING BABIES IN THE NURSERY IN THE LOCAL OB UNIT. ASK MY MOTHER SHE IS AN OB NURSE WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A NURSE AND ONLY 17 OF THEM IN OB (THATS HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR HER TO GET IN THAT UNIT 13 YEARS) SOME DAYS SHE LEAVES THE UNIT IN TEARS OVER SOME OF THE THINGS SHE SEES. YES, SOME BABIES DIE, AND THEN WE HAVE THE GYN PATIENTS SOME OF THAT CAN GET REAL GROSE.

CARDIO UNITS, WELL LETS JUST SAY YOU ARE ALWAYS WALKING THE EDGE OF A RAZOR IN THAT UNIT AND MED SURGE, WHERE DO I BEGIN? HAVE YOU EVER SMELLED A G.I. BLEED

I DO WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK, GOD KNOWS WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET AND A GOOD DOSE OF ENTHUSIASM IS A REALY GOOD THING, IT CAN BE CONTAGIOUS.
SO; AFTER SAYING THAT, I HOPE YOU CAN FORGIVE AN OLD MAN (37) FOR JUMPING UP ON HIS SOAPBOX FOR A MOMENT TO SAY HIS PIECE.