3 answers
hailey
Student
Yorba Linda, California
2
Questions
Asked
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how do i become a pediatric nurse do i only need an associates degree? also why is it so much harder to get into colleges as a nursing major ?
i really want to attend a 4 year college, but my gpa is only a 3.4, so it makes my options extremely limited if i want to major in nursing
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3 answers
Samantha Slominski
Registered Nurse
4
Answers
Saginaw, Michigan
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Hello there! Just to let you know, you don't need to spend four years to get a degree. ADN programs can provide you with the same license. My advice would be to look into pediatric patient care tech jobs at your local hospitals. This can offer you priceless experience as you navigate through nursing school. Many hospitals also offer shadow programs. It could be beneficial to ask about job shadow opportunities with a pediatric nurse. After that, consider applying for a PCT position. By the time you graduate from nursing school, you'll already be an experienced employee in your specialty.
When it comes to entering a nursing program, be aware that they can be highly competitive due to their rigorous nature. Each nursing class has a limited number of seats, leading to potential waitlists. Your position on these waitlists often depends on your GPA and the timing of your prerequisite course completion (like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, med math, English, etc). A 3.4 GPA is quite commendable.
Best of luck on your path!
Make sure your prerequisite classes are completed.
Apply to nursing program.
Contact local hospital about job shadowing a pediatric nurse.
Apply for PCT/CNA job on pediatric floor.
When it comes to entering a nursing program, be aware that they can be highly competitive due to their rigorous nature. Each nursing class has a limited number of seats, leading to potential waitlists. Your position on these waitlists often depends on your GPA and the timing of your prerequisite course completion (like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, med math, English, etc). A 3.4 GPA is quite commendable.
Best of luck on your path!
Samantha recommends the following next steps:
John Levesque
Clinical Quality Nurse
84
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
John’s Answer
Your path to becoming an RN can take different tracks. If you're on the hunt for a fast, cost-effective route, the ADN program is your golden key. These programs are typically hosted by community colleges, which are significantly more affordable than private institutions. Plus, many states offer free tuition for a 2-year period at community colleges for recent graduates, so be sure to explore this possibility.
An ADN doesn't limit your clinical capabilities. With the current nursing shortage in the US, RNs are in high demand, which means you'll likely find job opportunities in diverse fields as long as you hold a valid license. While a BSN opens up additional opportunities, it comes with a higher price tag, especially if pursued through a private college, and it's not a compulsory requirement to start your career as an RN. Moreover, as a novice nurse, there's usually no difference in pay rates between an ADN and a BSN. If you embark on your journey with an ADN and later wish to elevate your education to a BSN for a leadership role, a research position, or to become a nurse practitioner, many employers offer tuition reimbursement.
Most specialty areas will want you to have some time in a general practice area like a medical surgical unit where you will continue to develop not only your skills like IV placement and medication administration, but most importantly your assessment skills. Sometimes, depending on the needs of a unit, they may overlook this initial period and hire a new graduate, but there is a sharp learning curve, and you will still need time to develop your skills and gain experience.
Here's to your success and a fulfilling journey ahead.
An ADN doesn't limit your clinical capabilities. With the current nursing shortage in the US, RNs are in high demand, which means you'll likely find job opportunities in diverse fields as long as you hold a valid license. While a BSN opens up additional opportunities, it comes with a higher price tag, especially if pursued through a private college, and it's not a compulsory requirement to start your career as an RN. Moreover, as a novice nurse, there's usually no difference in pay rates between an ADN and a BSN. If you embark on your journey with an ADN and later wish to elevate your education to a BSN for a leadership role, a research position, or to become a nurse practitioner, many employers offer tuition reimbursement.
Most specialty areas will want you to have some time in a general practice area like a medical surgical unit where you will continue to develop not only your skills like IV placement and medication administration, but most importantly your assessment skills. Sometimes, depending on the needs of a unit, they may overlook this initial period and hire a new graduate, but there is a sharp learning curve, and you will still need time to develop your skills and gain experience.
Here's to your success and a fulfilling journey ahead.
Mary Jane Shroyer
Director of Health Professions Career Community
119
Answers
Grinnell, Iowa
Updated
Mary Jane’s Answer
To become a nurse, you need a nursing degree and to pass the NCLEX exam. You are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam if you have completed an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), so a BSN degree is certainly not required. Many times, employers will provide tuition assistance for you to complete a BSN or MSN if you decide you want to pursue a higher degree once you have been in the workforce for a while, so the ADN route can be a very affordable option.
The reason it's so hard to get into a nursing program is that there are not enough seats in courses and clinical training sites for everyone who wants to become a nurse, even though there is a shortage of nurses in most regions of the country. It takes a lot of people to train one nurse, from course instructors to clinical supervisors. If you are very tied to being close to home or staying in-state, you may be limited in your options for schools with open seats. If that's the case, going the ADN route may be a good plan because you can stay local, start working in 2 years, and go back to complete a BSN later. Many of the RN to BSN programs are online, which means you can keep working and don't have to move if you decide to go back to school.
The reason it's so hard to get into a nursing program is that there are not enough seats in courses and clinical training sites for everyone who wants to become a nurse, even though there is a shortage of nurses in most regions of the country. It takes a lot of people to train one nurse, from course instructors to clinical supervisors. If you are very tied to being close to home or staying in-state, you may be limited in your options for schools with open seats. If that's the case, going the ADN route may be a good plan because you can stay local, start working in 2 years, and go back to complete a BSN later. Many of the RN to BSN programs are online, which means you can keep working and don't have to move if you decide to go back to school.