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What degree do I need to get in order to become a nurse?
Middle school student that's interested in nursing
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Ellen’s Answer
I want to add on to what Kaitlyn mentioned. If you attend a two year college first (known as a community college), they have both RN and LPN/LVN Programs. Contacting a community college is a good idea because they have career counselors who can help you figure out what to do and when.
Once you receive an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing from a community college, its easy to continue on to get your Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at that point. It's a good approach if you want to be able to work for awhile before continuing on and getting a Bachelor's Degree. Also, Kaitlyn's recommendation to become a Certified Nursing Assistant first is a good one. Your learn many of the basic nursing skills you need in those kinds of programs - it can give you a little bit of a jump start AND because waiting lists are often long for nursing programs, it can give you extra points on the wait list.
Once you receive an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing from a community college, its easy to continue on to get your Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at that point. It's a good approach if you want to be able to work for awhile before continuing on and getting a Bachelor's Degree. Also, Kaitlyn's recommendation to become a Certified Nursing Assistant first is a good one. Your learn many of the basic nursing skills you need in those kinds of programs - it can give you a little bit of a jump start AND because waiting lists are often long for nursing programs, it can give you extra points on the wait list.
Thank you so much, Ellen!
Mariam
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hello Mariam,
I want to add a suggestion to everything mentioned above. I usually recommend trying to get into a program that will get you the Bachelors of science degree right away. Often the 2-3 year programs which would allow you to sit for the LVN or RN boards and start working have a number of prerequisites to enter into their programs. Therefore, the total time it takes you to get through their program ends up not being that different from a 4 year degree program. (Once you have completed a program, you will get the RN license through your state licensing's board by passing an exam, not from the program you attended.) The main point being, do your research on what each program requires, the cost and total time it will take to complete the program realizing that at some point you will probably need to get the BS degree too, and what you can do with the degree you obtain once you have completed the program. Many places that you might want to work as an RN require a BS degree in Nursing so having it gives you options. Also, it will give you the option to further your career down the line to more advanced fields in Nursing. Advance positions in Nursing usually require a Bachelors of Science first.
Working as a CNA first is a great idea. It will expose you to many aspects of health care and you can ask people you work with to let you shadow them for a day to better understand what they do.
Good luck!
I want to add a suggestion to everything mentioned above. I usually recommend trying to get into a program that will get you the Bachelors of science degree right away. Often the 2-3 year programs which would allow you to sit for the LVN or RN boards and start working have a number of prerequisites to enter into their programs. Therefore, the total time it takes you to get through their program ends up not being that different from a 4 year degree program. (Once you have completed a program, you will get the RN license through your state licensing's board by passing an exam, not from the program you attended.) The main point being, do your research on what each program requires, the cost and total time it will take to complete the program realizing that at some point you will probably need to get the BS degree too, and what you can do with the degree you obtain once you have completed the program. Many places that you might want to work as an RN require a BS degree in Nursing so having it gives you options. Also, it will give you the option to further your career down the line to more advanced fields in Nursing. Advance positions in Nursing usually require a Bachelors of Science first.
Working as a CNA first is a great idea. It will expose you to many aspects of health care and you can ask people you work with to let you shadow them for a day to better understand what they do.
Good luck!
Updated
Mary Virginia’s Answer
All the information above is important points. My answer to this question would be to connect with nurses or nursing students to really confirm your interest. As a middle schooler your interests are subject to change, and getting a real look at nursing would be beneficial. You have plenty of time to achieve this goal! I really would not stress about this goal until entering college. Choosing a college with an on-campus nursing program is my best advice to you. The in-state universities near me do not have an on-campus program, but the out of state university I attend does so I believe I have a good perspective on this. The advisors at my university for nursing are so helpful providing students with direct advice about how to become qualified for nursing school. There are many more resources for pre-nursing students because the nursing school is intertwined. There is the ability to do 2 years undergraduate and 2 years obtaining a nursing degree all on the same campus. This is ideal. Some of my close friends are currently in nursing school but also able to be apart of all our social events. My peers at other schools have had to move cities in order to do this, so it is a huge benefit to stay in the same place.