4 answers
Jolie
Student
Opelika, Alabama
2
Questions
Asked
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Is it possible to become a nurse through a technical school?
Some technical schools in my area offer 2 year nursing programs, but I'm confused on if I should attend a university that offers nursing classes, a technical school that offers nursing classes, or an actual nursing school??
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4 answers
Ed Hunt
Emergency Room Nurse
2
Answers
Rosburg, WA
Updated
Ed’s Answer
Absolutely, not only is it achievable, but it can also pave the way to a highly fulfilling career. In the USA, there are two pathways to obtain a nursing degree. One is a Bachelor's degree through a 4-year university, and the other is an Associate's degree via an accredited 2-year institution. Please note, there are several prerequisites required for nursing school, so anticipate a 3-year timeline. Upon graduation, both pathways require the same NCLEX national exam, and upon passing, you can practice at the same level.
Moreover, with extra certifications, both career paths can yield the same income in numerous states, although some healthcare systems might favor a Bachelor's degree. The silver lining is that you can pursue this while you're employed and earning income with your Associate's degree.
As a mentor to both Associate's and Bachelor's nursing students, I've observed that Associate's students receive more practical training in clinicals and tend to exude more confidence at the bedside immediately after graduation compared to their Bachelor's counterparts.
Moreover, with extra certifications, both career paths can yield the same income in numerous states, although some healthcare systems might favor a Bachelor's degree. The silver lining is that you can pursue this while you're employed and earning income with your Associate's degree.
As a mentor to both Associate's and Bachelor's nursing students, I've observed that Associate's students receive more practical training in clinicals and tend to exude more confidence at the bedside immediately after graduation compared to their Bachelor's counterparts.
This is really helpful, thank you!
Jolie
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
657
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
The answer to your question is (Yes), technical colleges do offer nursing degrees. It is the same structure up here where I reside.
I suppose it depends on your goals when it comes to what degree you want. The university will offer the bachelors and masters in nursing, and the technical college will offer an associates, which will allow you to get the RN.
Some like the university experience because of the large college environment and diverse programs it provides.
You will get some of that with the technical college, and it will give you the initial step you need to advance into nursing and possibly work on a bachelors at a later period in time.
I suppose it depends on your goals when it comes to what degree you want. The university will offer the bachelors and masters in nursing, and the technical college will offer an associates, which will allow you to get the RN.
Some like the university experience because of the large college environment and diverse programs it provides.
You will get some of that with the technical college, and it will give you the initial step you need to advance into nursing and possibly work on a bachelors at a later period in time.
Justine Patterson
Academic Advisor
4
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Justine’s Answer
Hi! The main thing you want to look at to make sure your program will allow you to work in the field is Accreditation status! You can use this website to check any program you are interested in. https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/
ADN- means associates degree in nursing. In order to become an RN you need to pass the NCLEX exam after you earn your ADN . So in addition to accreditation status, you also want to see what their NCLEX pass rate is. This lets you know how well they are preparing their students to for the board exam. You will only be able to earn your ADN at a 2 year college or technical college
BSN- Bachelor of Science is what you would earn from a 4 year institution. But all the same information about the accreditation and the NCLEX applies.
I would also strongly encourage you to avoid any for profit nursing schools.
I hope this helps!! You're going to do great things.
ADN- means associates degree in nursing. In order to become an RN you need to pass the NCLEX exam after you earn your ADN . So in addition to accreditation status, you also want to see what their NCLEX pass rate is. This lets you know how well they are preparing their students to for the board exam. You will only be able to earn your ADN at a 2 year college or technical college
BSN- Bachelor of Science is what you would earn from a 4 year institution. But all the same information about the accreditation and the NCLEX applies.
I would also strongly encourage you to avoid any for profit nursing schools.
I hope this helps!! You're going to do great things.
Brittany Bowks
ER Nurse
1
Answer
Winslow, Arizona
Updated
Brittany’s Answer
Yes! There are many paths to obtain the same career: LPN, licensed practical nurse or RN, registered nurse. There are technical schools, colleges, and universities that offer different paths to the same career.
However, there are differences. LPNs are not able to work in every place. Some places require their nurses to have RN degrees. That is especially true in a lot of hospital environments.
RN degrees can be associates or bachelor's. An associates program is able to be completed in 2 years (once you add the prerequisites, you're probably looking at 3 years), and bachelors' is 4 years (including prerequisites). If possible, you want to get the bachelor's degree because it is more desirable, especially among Magnet hospitals (which have to have a certain percentage of bachelor's educated nurses). However, if you are only able to get into an associates program than do it! The hospital will still hire you, some will require that you sign a contract saying that you will enter a program to go from RN to BSN within two years. They may actually pay for it or reimburse you for it.
I do want to point out that technical programs that offer certified nursing assistant (CNA) or patient care tech (PCT) certificates are not nursing programs, but their jobs do overlap and so it would be a good starting place if you want to get your foot in the door and see what the job is really like.
I hope this helps. If you want specifics then share the name of the school and I can look at the programs they offer and let you know. I might also be able to give you more insight if you already know what kind of nursing you want to get into.
However, there are differences. LPNs are not able to work in every place. Some places require their nurses to have RN degrees. That is especially true in a lot of hospital environments.
RN degrees can be associates or bachelor's. An associates program is able to be completed in 2 years (once you add the prerequisites, you're probably looking at 3 years), and bachelors' is 4 years (including prerequisites). If possible, you want to get the bachelor's degree because it is more desirable, especially among Magnet hospitals (which have to have a certain percentage of bachelor's educated nurses). However, if you are only able to get into an associates program than do it! The hospital will still hire you, some will require that you sign a contract saying that you will enter a program to go from RN to BSN within two years. They may actually pay for it or reimburse you for it.
I do want to point out that technical programs that offer certified nursing assistant (CNA) or patient care tech (PCT) certificates are not nursing programs, but their jobs do overlap and so it would be a good starting place if you want to get your foot in the door and see what the job is really like.
I hope this helps. If you want specifics then share the name of the school and I can look at the programs they offer and let you know. I might also be able to give you more insight if you already know what kind of nursing you want to get into.
Hi, thank you this is really helpful. I was looking at Columbus tech in Georgia.
Jolie
Yes, Columbus Tech in Georgia offers an ADN or associate's degree in nursing to obtain RN licensure. When you finish the program you take your boards and when you pass you will be an RN or registered nurse. That program will take you 3 years, one year for the prerequisites required before the nursing program and two years for the nursing classes.
That will get you into the vast majority of nursing jobs. There are some hospitals that will want a bachelors but they will likely take you with an associate's if you agree to do the RN to BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) program that you can take online, plus they will likely pay for it.
Good luck!
Brittany Bowks
That's really cool! thank you so much
Jolie