nurse programs

nurse programs questions and answers

More information about nurse programs at Education News.

Q: Typically how long is the training program to become a nurse's assistant?
This summer I was thinking about training to be a nurse's assistant so that I can work as one so that I can get hospital experience and have good credentials for applying to my school's nursing program. Thanks! =)

A: It depends on where you live and if you where to take a day or evening class. Go to your local college or tech school and they can give you information on the class schedules. Some nursing homes will train you if you apply because usually the person teaching the class is a employee of a nursing home. I took mine in Minnesota and it is a 75 hour course, and Wisconsin just raised the number of hours of training to 120. Another thing is if you fail the test, you have to retake the whole course so be sure to study! And don't be shocked if you have to give baths to your classmates, including gentitals... I seriously didn't think I would have to do that.

Q: How should I start in becoming a nurse?
I'm taking classes in community college that are equivalent for me to transfer to SDSU. Since they go by the point system, I doubt that I might get in. I'm not a nurse yet but I'd like to be at least a CNA or LVN and get some experiences so I know this is the right choice for me. I know there are nursing programs, but I don't know how it works. Can anyone help me out and any extended information about Nursing would really help me a lot.

A: Working as a guidance liaison for a practical nursing program in a local post secondary technical school, I would suggest you check out your area for a public technical/vocational school that offers health career programs. In my part of the country, our local 12 week Nursing Assistant program or the 12 to 15 month Practical Nursing course is a great financial buy with an even greater opportunity to continue a nursing education by participating in a bridge program to the local community college registered nurse program. After that, there is the opportunity to transfer to a BSN degree at a state supported 4 year university. There are private practical nursing programs as well in our area but their practical nursing program cost is $15,000 vs. the public tech school price of $2,889.00 for the exact same program. Technical/vocational schools are often a hidden gem in many parts of the country. Check it out - you may be very surprised.

Q: How the hell am I ever gonna be a nurse?
I go to a community college, I have average grades, I don't have much money for school and the nursing programs around California are so hard to get into. I've wanted to be a nurse forever. I did so well in high school, 3.9 gpa. Now I feel I wasted all of my hard work. Please, any advice on how to get my bsn (bachelors of science in nursing)? I just can't seem to get into any nursing programs.

A: Okay if your grades or average submit your SAT or ACT scores to a nursing program, when I went to nursing school that one was one of the options on getting to nursing school. I went to San Jacinto College in Texas.

Q: Are there any programs out there were I can shadow a nurse?
I'm thinking of being a RN but wants to get a feel of what its like.

A: Most hospitals offer job-shadow programs, especially the hospitals affiliated with a University. Look through the website of a university hospital. If you don't see anything, just call or inquire at the front desk. I'm sure someone at a hospital where you live could give you more info. If you are approved for a job shadow, write the nurse a thank you note thanking her for her time after your job shadow.

Q: nursing programs ? becoming a nurse?
i am in school still currently but i am considering going to colledge in a nursing program. and get a bacholors. and info from nurses out there would be helpful. how you like it? is it tough?

A: IT IS VERY TOUGH!!! I am a nursing student and the classes are hard and you have to make B's at the minimum. I have a 3.78 gpa and didn't get into my first choice nursing school. Plan to STUDY a lot and work your butt off. Also plan for disappointment if you don't get in or not in the school of your choice. I would talk to the school you are interested in and find out their average grades etc. It will not hurt you any by asking too many questions.

Q: I have a 4yr degree in communications and now want to become a nurse, what are my options?
I went to school and received my undergrad degree in communications and now want to go back to school to be a nurse. I was wondering if I have to start all over and get another undergrad or if there's some sort of accelerated nursing programs out there? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

A: You need to take pre-requisiites which includes several chemistry courses, anatomy & physiology, biology, microbiology and math through pre-calculus. Nursing programs are VERY competitive and it's difficult to gain entry--you need to have good grades in your science courses, and usually either a CNA or EMT certification. I would start now on the pre-reqs--many can be done online through a local community college.

Q: I want to be a nurse, and want to go to a 4 yr college. What programs do i need to do at that college?
Also, do I need to go to a certain college that offers some type of courses. Do I get my BSN then too? I'm just confused about my options so any help would be greatly appreciated.

A: You get a BSN only if the college offers that degree. There are plenty of fine schools with strong programs. You would take a core of science courses, plus some in-hospital internships.

Q: How to become a nurse after completing an undergrad degree in another area?
I am just about to graduate from college with a bachelor's degree in psychology. I have recently become interesting in psychiatric nursing, but don't want to spend another several years in school. I have read a bit about accelerated, one-year to nursing programs, and am wondering if this is the best option for me. Would I need more than that degree and certification to specialize in psychiatric nursing? Any info is helpful. Also, suggestions for good one-year to nursing programs would be great! Thanks

A: Accelerated programs would be a great idea. No, asking completing your BSN degree and passing the NCLEX, you may work in Psych. You could go on and get an advanced degree as a Nurse Practitioner. There are many options in nursing.

Q: What kind of qualities make a good nurse?
I am a hopeful nursing student and I am taking all my prerequisites to get into a nursing program...I often hear how half of the students drop out of the program and how those who graduate and get a position sometimes realize that nursing is not for them...and honestly I really don 't want that to happen to me. I am a very good student and I am very driven to be a nurse...I know that I would definately be able to handle the academic component. I have also worked in customer service in retail and I know that I am very personable and genuinely care about the people I serve. I love dealing with the general public...but what else does it take?

A: My Mom, a retired Nurse (after more than 25 years!) is what I would consider the "perfect person" to become a nurse...you need: PATIENCE..PATIENCE...PATIENCE...a caring, nurturing nature, the ability to "think on your feet", to be able to "multi-task", work as a TEAM player, smile when you want to cry, be quiet when you want to scream, be willing to work long hours...put up with mean/unkind/unruly family members, mean/unkind/unruly patients and mean/unkind/unruly doctors, to be gentle, loving, and understanding...to ALWAYS remember your patients are PEOPLE who have feelings just like you do...be able to react quickly and appropriately, but most of all, be committed to HELPING people. Those are the qualities you need to possess before embarking on such a challenging, but rewarding, career.

Q: What is the fastest way to become a nurse midwife in South Carolina?
I am 19 and I want to become a Nurse Midwife. I am currently in college right now. I am going into nursing but I have to be put on a list to be in the nursing program. I am in pre-nursing right now but the waiting list goes up to 2010 and my name isn't on it yet because we have to meet certain standards first. I just wanted to know if there is anything else that I can do to become a Nurse Midwife a little faster.

A: I don't believe that there is a way to become a nurse midwife any faster. I looked on wikipedia and while it's not the most reliable source for research, it stated that it is an advanced nursing degree which includes a master's level program. Here is the website and there are resources at the bottom of the page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_midwife

Q: What is the fastest way for me to become a nurse midwife in South Carolina?
I am 19 and I want to become a Nurse Midwife. I am currently in college right now. I am going into nursing but I have to be put on a list to be in the nursing program. I am in pre-nursing right now but the waiting list goes up to 2010 and my name isn't on it yet because we have to meet certain standards first. I just wanted to know if there is anything else that I can do to become a Nurse Midwife a little faster.

A: i don't know, but I wouldn't want a midwife who took shortcuts to get there. Would you want a car mechanic who didn't study? There are nursing shortages all over the country and you will have much better luck in a big city than a small town. Call BIG hospitals and ask about their programs.

Q: Can I major in Biology instead of nursing and still become a nurse practitioner?
I was thinking majoring in biology in undergrad, then going into a nursing program and becoming a nurse practitioner. Any suggestions?

A: You would take more time doing that. Ok, I have a college degree in biology. (counts for nothing, but I see you do have a goal after college using it) I was in LPN school briefly at the local technical college (trade school). A girl in my class had flunked out of the university pre-nursing program (too much partying). She had as a goal to be a nurse practitioner. She went thru the LPN program, and became an LPN. Then she got married and has 2 kids now. She is also getting her BSN slowly (because of the 2 kids) and fully intends to be that nurse practitioner at some point. I have every sympathy for a student who wants to go to the university full time and major in a subject to be with other students the same age. However, if it were me at my age now? The practical thing is to get the LPN right now. Just don't bother with college first. Takes 15 months to get the LPN. You also don't have to sweat getting into the clinical rotations like you do in pre-nursing program at the university, where the competition is fierce for a few slots and placement is by GPA. You get the LPN and all of the clinical experience you need for the LPN or for the BSN, all in 15 months, without cut-throat competition to get into those clinical rotations. OK, so now I have the LPN 15 months after high school. Now apply to the university (and work part-time like one day a weekend as an LPN just to keep up to date on the work). Wouldn't you be an unusual college student! So you take your university courses in biology, not nursing, except I guess you have to take some nursing classes so you get that BSN. But undoubtedly there will be some overlap, surely, because you aren't getting into the clinical rotatioin courses, you already had those, just the biology nursing courses. So you are working briefly as an LPN (4 days a month) and you are a college student and highly motivated because you have seen the patients who have the conditions you are learning about in your BSN classes. You will be so ready to get admitted to that nurse practitioner program after you graduate from the university. You will have had 4 years working as an LPN briefly, you will know where you are going because of that training, you have those courses under your belt. Students just don't think about the LPN program as a stepping stone. They think it's for "retards", or poor folks. They just don't get that it is a fabulous back-door approach to nursing. And they are shocked to see all the university drop-outs in the LPN programs and how these girls may have had to learn the hard way, but they are going to all get their BSNs because they are college grad types, and a technical school degree in this case spells "smart and successful" as well as practical.

Q: What is the basic knowledge one must know to become a nurse assistant?
I am a nursing student and I start my program in a few months, but I have an interview to a local hospital to become a nurse assistant. This is a position they usually reserve for people who are already in the nursing program, but because of a need they are going to give me a test to see if I am eligible for the job. The test will include basic math and basic patient care. My question is, what is the basic patient care knowledge I should know so I can be sure to get the job?

A: No way will I ever accept a bedbath from a high school girl.

Q: Nurse to Physician in the shortest amount of time? Are there any programs for areas that are in need of MD's?
I am open to those programs that are outside the US, however I would prefer to stay in the states. The state doesn't matter, I would be willing to relocate.

A: First of all, are you a female or a male. That´s the real deal. This is a good ole boy network, that you are breaking into. 2nd, do you have all the pre-requisites needed to get into medical school including MCAT scores that count. 3rd, are you really willing to relocate, because that is what you will be doing. I am a nurse of many years, headed back for my MD. It´s well worth it. But I applied to schools in the USA and they aren´t fond of women physicians, depends on your age and if you have kids. I speak from a woman´s point of view. So I upped and relocated to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I have been here for 1.5 yrs of the original 4 yrs it was going to take to make the cross over into the USA, through NYMC, Valhalla, NY after finishing here. Count on one extra year, there. There is no short cut programs to becoming a physician, sorry. It´t the same amount of time for everyone. But is it worth it? Yes, 100%. Tears and all. Because this is one of the hardest things that you will do in your life. It is not like nursing at all. It´s better than. You lack a whole lot of info to get there. I sure did. There are various nurses in the program in UAG. Go online, to www.uag.edu out of the san antonio office. they will inform you more. Here, spanish is learned. The first 2 yrs are with US med. school visiting professors. It´s a riot. But worth it all together. So, look into it. At least in this program, although approved for the Stafford Loan, you can drive back into the USA. No other school has that privilege. So good luck in finding a fast course. One thing, this is one hell of an accelerated program. They throw info at you like crazy but qualify you for the USMLE. Read all about it on different unofficial student sites. valuemd.com, uagmd.com or the worst www.uagmed.com reach me at arnconsultant2002@yahoo.com lol, Linda

Q: nurse practitioner programs?
Does anyone happen to know of a bachelor's program for nurse practitioner? I am an LPN taking a bridge program to get my ADN. After that I plan to get my BSN and eventually would like to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Do I have to have a master's for that? Are there programs for BSN that certify you for nurse practitioner? Thanks!

A: The University of Washington in Seattle has a wonderful ARNP program, but it is graduate. They have an undergrad PA-C program that's very well respected. Maybe you could transfer? Nothing wrong with getting a Master's, though! :)