Gwen in VA Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I have a dd interested in nursing, but I don't even know what questions to ask! I know going into nursing is different from majoring in English or chemistry, but that's about all I know! 1) Could someone compare the type of jobs open to someone with a 2-year degree in nursing vs a BS in nursing vs a MS in nursing? 2) I know some colleges offer nursing programs. To become a nurse, do you have to go through a program? Is it possible to major in chemistry or bio and then get certified somehow? 3) Can students who want to go into nursing go to a liberal arts college, or are future nurses restricted to attending a university with a nursing program? 4) Could a college grad who majored in a science get a master's in nursing and then be a nurse, or am I looking at this the wrong way? Obviously I know nothing about this. If my questions seem off-track, please forgive me and answer what you think I should be asking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanna Tomlinson Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 I have a dd interested in nursing, but I don't even know what questions to ask! I know going into nursing is different from majoring in English or chemistry, but that's about all I know! 1) Could someone compare the type of jobs open to someone with a 2-year degree in nursing vs a BS in nursing vs a MS in nursing? 2) I know some colleges offer nursing programs. To become a nurse, do you have to go through a program? Is it possible to major in chemistry or bio and then get certified somehow? 3) Can students who want to go into nursing go to a liberal arts college, or are future nurses restricted to attending a university with a nursing program? 4) Could a college grad who majored in a science get a master's in nursing and then be a nurse, or am I looking at this the wrong way? Obviously I know nothing about this. If my questions seem off-track, please forgive me and answer what you think I should be asking! Hi Gwen, I am an RN with a BSN, but I haven't worked in 15 years. My second dd wants to go into nursing too, so I have been researching. In answer to your questions: 1) Associate Degree nurses and diploma (or hospital program) nurses sit for the same boards as BSNs and all become RNs when they pass the boards. (I don't personally know if there are many diploma programs around anymore. The two hospital programs in our city have joined with community colleges to become AD programs.) For all RNs, entry level the jobs and opportunities are similar, but management jobs are more readily available to BSNs. Also, some specialty areas and some hospitals prefer BSNs. Personally, the traditional students in my BSN program were blown away by the older AD and diploma RN's who joined us in classes to get their BSNs after working for several years. I always wondered if my retention would have been better had I gotten my AD first, worked a few years, and then earned my BSN after having some clinical experience to back up the book knowledge we learned in school. An MS in nursing will typically have some years of clinical experience before seeking a Masters. The few I knew who went straight to a Masters nursing program from a BSN program were, frankly, ineffective in their jobs. Many MS nurses work as managers, on staff with a physician, in specialty areas, and as patient advocates. 2) To become a nurse, you must major in nursing. You would not be able to pass the boards without it. You must have the nursing classes and the clinical experience. Some nurses, who have hopes of med-school in the future, double major in biology, but it is not easy to do. Most nursing programs require so many specific credits that it is hard to fit in a double major. Also, clinical classes are at odd times and difficult to schedule around. 3) Some nursing programs don't actually start until junior year, but the trend I see today is that there are at least some nursing classes starting freshman year. My program was like that 25 years ago, but we were unique at the time. Now, every program we have looked at starts nursing classes in freshman year. 4) You cannot get a Masters in nursing without a BSN....unless there have been some major changes of which I am unaware. There are probably current working RNs who can answer more for you, but I thought I'd chime in since I have been looking with my dd. HTH, Leanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Thank you, Leanna! Hmmm.....If you have to majro in nursing to beomce a nurse (which does make sense), then I guess my dd's dreams of attending a cute LAC like her siblings will have to disappear. Any thoughts on the nursing programs that start junior year? At least in Virginia, the program that appeals to dh and I the most on a "name-recognition basis" (which isn't the best way to choose anything, I know) is UVA's nursing program. But you have to go to UVA and then apply during your sophomore year. I wonder what happens to the students that don't get in! Having to apply during your sophomore year sounds like a stressful way to go.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Having to apply during your sophomore year sounds like a stressful way to go.... :iagree: UVA is that way with the McIntire (business) school as well. Leanna already gave you some great advice... I just wanted to point out that College Confidential has a forum just for nursing majors. :001_smile: (you may have already known that). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelbe5 Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 I have a friend who earned her RN from our local community college two years ago. She had no problems securing a position as an ob/gyn nurse at the local hospital. She loves her work. She works three 12 hour shift days and makes good money. She also works one day per week for a private doctor. She makes good money . . . enough to purchase a four bedroom house for herself and her three kids (she is a single mom). The program she went through is a two year nursing program at our local community college. She thinks she would like to earn her BSN and my continue her education. She said there are several online programs that are online that she may explore. Hope this is helpful to you. Adrianne in IL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynde Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Gwen, There are LACs who offer nursing degree programs. The school I attended in MN for my physical therapy degree also offers a nursing degree. The school even has master and doctoral level degrees in nursing. Just in case you're wondering ... it was The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. Whether or not VA has any LACs with nursing programs is a different story. You've probably already looked into that. I have heard that Northern Virginia Community College has an excellent nursing program at their Springfield campus. The daughter of my husband's friend graduated from there. She and her parents were very pleased with the program, and she is currently gainfully employed as a nurse in the local area. Good luck to your dd. Cynde Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in MA Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Any thoughts on the nursing programs that start junior year? At least in Virginia, the program that appeals to dh and I the most on a "name-recognition basis" (which isn't the best way to choose anything, I know) is UVA's nursing program. But you have to go to UVA and then apply during your sophomore year. I wonder what happens to the students that don't get in! Having to apply during your sophomore year sounds like a stressful way to go.... Gwen, I don't have any personal experience with nursing, but my dh's cousin's dd is majoring in nursing at Northeastern. I remember her mom saying that some nursing schools admit students for freshman year and others require the students to apply, as you said, after having a year or two of college. This dd's mom really wanted her dd to apply somewhere that would accept her freshman year directly into nursing, so there must be some schools that do this. One additional plus of going to a coop school for nursing is that this girl will have a lot of working experience once she graduates. HTH, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Thank you all -- your posts have been most helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I'm not a nurse, none of my kids want to be a nurse. Last week in my co-op class, homeschooling high school, someone brought up accreditation. The need, in general, to go to an accredited school in case you want to transfer later, in case you want to go back and get your masters later, etc. One lady in the class brought up that if you want to go into nursing, you must go to a school that is accredited in nursing. If you do not go to an accredited school, you can't sit for the boards. Four years of college down the tubes. There is a school in FL that offers a nursing major but is not accredited in nursing. She named the school, but I am not completely sure of it now so I don't want to mention it and be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibrarianMom Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 The institution where I am employed offers a pre-nursing curriculum that feeds directly into two nearby nursing schools affiliated with local hospitals. These schools both emphasized the importance of taking human anatomy 1 and 2 from the same college so that there are no gaps in you background. Our institutions pre-nursing curriculum is unique because it offers Bible and general education coursework from a Christian viewpoint. Don't give up on the cute LAC as many do have strong nursing programs but as a previous poster indicated make sure the program is accredited and ask tough questions about how many students passed the board exams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Our 18yo dd is enrolled at our 2 year community college, to get her ADN. This is her first of four semesters to become a licensed RN. Our CC had about 15 hours of pre-requisites (before being accepted into the ADN program), which she completed during high school as dual-enrollment. Despite the nursing shortage, our local program is EXTREMELY competitive. 250 applicants, only 60 accepted into the program. Only 40 will pass this first, Boot-camp-type semester. She will graduate in 2 years, and will be able to then work on her 4-year BSN, through a local Interactive program tied to a university 60 miles away. We highly recommend the 2 year program, as we want her to be free to marry (or work) in two years, if desired. Her friend is a sophomore in the 4 year BSN program at the university, and have not yet had any clinical experience. This ADN program is specifically targeted to pass the NCLEX exam, and become licensed. The exam is extremely difficult, so you want to ask about the pass rate of your particular nursing program. Hope this helps. The sooner you gather the information the better. Those who do not plan ahead usually take 3 years to complete the 2-year RN program here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Our CC's nursing program is extremely competative, too. Someone I know is applying with a teaching degree already, and he still took some classes first before applying in order to strengthen his application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I don't know if it is cute or not, but my cousin went to Russel Sage in Albany NY for physical therapy. They have a nursing program, also. The phys therapy program was extremely competative. I remember my cousin saying it was hard to sit in the basic classes knowing that only some of them would get spots in the program. She is a gentle, quiet person and was happy that the school had a dorm that suited her (all girls). I remember her doing the Anatomy Colouring Book one Thanksgiving. This was years ago when it first came out. And that is about all I know. I'm pretty sure it falls under the LAC def, and if it exists, probably there are others, also. -Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Gwen, this is a bit of a side note, but your daughter might check into becoming a nurse anesthetist. It requires a BSN in nursing and then additional time spent specializing. It's a fantastic field with great wages compared to time put in during college. Around here, a nurse anesthetist makes the same or more than many family practice physicians. The hours are great and she can work part-time if/when she chooses to have a family if she desires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 (edited) But you have to go to UVA and then apply during your sophomore year. I wonder what happens to the students that don't get in! My 3 older sisters all have/had diplomas from a hospital school of nursing. One of them went on to get her BSN. Having diplomas did not keep them from getting good jobs, including being managers. (I don't think any of those programs exist anymore, but I mentioned it because they were looked on as similar to a cc degree.) My youngest sister went to a four year university and flunked out of the nursing program. She got a degree in public health administration. She was in ROTC, so after college she spent 8 years in the Army as a medical personnel officer. One of my nieces just flunked out of the nursing program at her four year university. She had a 92 on her nursing finals for that semester and it was a failing grade! She was going to quit the university and get a 2-year nursing degree from a community college, but since she had a full four-year scholarship, she decided to finish a Bachelors degree. I forget what her new major is, though. She is still planning to get a cc nursing degree after she finishes her Bachelors. I've heard that the reason the university nursing programs are so competitive is because of a shortage of nursing instructors. Edited October 15, 2009 by LizzyBee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted October 19, 2009 Author Share Posted October 19, 2009 Thank you all. This is a whole new world to me, and I appreciate all of the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 I was looking at our cc's site & here's the req. for a RN~~ ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE NURSING (Program Code 270) REQUIREMENTS (72 HOURS) CREDIT GRADE BSC 1085 Anatomy & Physiology I BSC 1085L Anatomy & Physiology I Lab BSC 1086 Anatomy & Physiology II BSC 1086L Anatomy & Physiology II Lab DEP 2004 Human Growth and Development ENC 1101 English Composition I MCB 2010 Microbiology MCB 2010L Microbiology Lab PSY 2012 General Psychology SPC 1040 Introduction to Speech Communication Any course from Humanities/Fine Arts Area I, Section B PHI 2600 (Recommended) NUR 1020C Nursing Fundamentals NUR 1142 Pharmacology for Nursing NUR 1192 Nursing Nutrition NUR 2462C Maternal Child Health NUR 1520C Mental Health Nursing NUR 1211C Clinical Nursing I NUR 2820 Nursing Seminar NUR 2213C Clinical Nursing II NUR 2811L Clinical Nursing III TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED 72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnbacademy Posted November 14, 2009 Share Posted November 14, 2009 I am an RN with BSN working part-time and have worked as a med/surg nurse at our local hospital for the past 25 yrs. Just recently, the hospital required that all LPNs must get their RN degree within the next 1.5yrs, pretty difficult to do... Just want to encourage your dd to go for an RN program... the work environment is changing in hospitals... I wouldn't be surprised if entry-level nursing jobs may require a BSN in the near future. BTW, many AD RNs I work with are in school as they work, in order to acquire the BSN. I had no prior medical experience before college, so the nursing clinicals were difficult for me, but I went all the way thru a BSN program and have felt very glad that I did... Maybe she could do an externship or even volunteer over the summer at a local hospital or doctor's office? Programs like these have helped many nursing students gain confidence and experience. It is very difficult to work as a nurse and go to school at the same time, especially with the possibility of marriage and family during the post-college years. HTH, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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