3 answers
hallie
Student
Vernal, Utah
1
Question
Asked
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How do I become a RN.?
I am a current junior in high school, I just finished becoming a certified CNA and I want to be an RN. I would like to complete as much of that pathway in high school and before college as possible but I don’t know what I should do next on the pathway of becoming a RN.
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1349
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
CNA-TO-RN BRIDGE PROGRAM
The fastest and most efficient way of becoming an RN is enrolling in a CNA-to-RN bridge program. These programs allow you to earn your associate degree in nursing (ADN) in as little as one year. Since you’ve already taken some of the required courses, the RN program completion time can be reduced. Plus, you’ve already got the foundational knowledge to help you complete the program with confidence, all while still working as a CNA.
All aspiring nurses are required to pass the RN licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN. You’re qualified to take the NCLEX once you’ve completed your RN program. You must pass the exam in order to receive your license. After completing the requirements designated by your state board of nursing and passing the NCLEX-RN, you will receive your RN license.
The fastest and most efficient way of becoming an RN is enrolling in a CNA-to-RN bridge program. These programs allow you to earn your associate degree in nursing (ADN) in as little as one year. Since you’ve already taken some of the required courses, the RN program completion time can be reduced. Plus, you’ve already got the foundational knowledge to help you complete the program with confidence, all while still working as a CNA.
All aspiring nurses are required to pass the RN licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN. You’re qualified to take the NCLEX once you’ve completed your RN program. You must pass the exam in order to receive your license. After completing the requirements designated by your state board of nursing and passing the NCLEX-RN, you will receive your RN license.
Thank you so much, this helps a lot!
hallie
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Hallie !
I applaud you for going into such a caring, needed and thankful career and your ambition to go further. I hope that you receive a variety of advice here so that you know that you have options.
Your training as a CNA is very valuable because it developed your skill with patients activities of daily living. Transferring, eating, bathing, toileting, mobility assistance and other assistance patients may need. As a Registered Nurse, there will be substantially more that would be expected of you. A lot of it will indeed come with on the job experience, however, you have to be fully prepared before you get your first good paying job as an R.N. This is why I emphasize at first that a nursing pathway, as with all other health field careers, should not be done online or cut corners by fast tracking the education. There is an enormous amount of information to learn so you will be confident and for the welfare of your patients.
Since you are still in high school and already a CNA, you should go to the agency that trained you and ask about additional certifications. If you already have your certification in First Aid and CPR, you can ask them where you can go for training in such skills as Basic Life Support, ACLS Certification which is Advanced Cardiac Life Support including strokes and managing a patients' airways. Others would be a Serve Safe Certification covering cleanliness, foodborne illnesses and food allergies. Also, there's a PALS Certification you can take for Pediatric Advanced Life Support. There are a lot more certifications that you can take once you become an R.N. A good time to take some of these would be during the summer when your schedule is more free.
For 12th grade next year in high school, I would advise taking any health science classes or psychology. I would also suggest that if you're very eager, maybe see about doing volunteer work in a nursing home. You'd have to be an employee to be the CNA there, but being around a health venue like a hospital, hospice center or rehab facility as a volunteer would help you see how things are run. Start reading Medical Terminology books to discover the names of illnesses that you have not learned yet and research medications and devices that R.N.s use on patients. This will give you a heads up for when you start Nursing School. While you are in Nursing School, your instructors will keep you fully informed about your career path and answer any questions you may have.
So my advice is to pace yourself in high school, do not rush things, try to get some certifications if you'd like, obtain volunteer work if you'd like, enroll in Nursing School and that will begin your introduction and path towards Nursing. There's really nothing much more you need to do except enjoy your last year in high school, take the health sciences and start nursing school after you graduate high school.
I hope that this is helpful and reassuring that you are doing the best things now already and the most important step will be Nursing School admission at which you'll learn everything you need to know. I wish you well on this awesome journey !
I applaud you for going into such a caring, needed and thankful career and your ambition to go further. I hope that you receive a variety of advice here so that you know that you have options.
Your training as a CNA is very valuable because it developed your skill with patients activities of daily living. Transferring, eating, bathing, toileting, mobility assistance and other assistance patients may need. As a Registered Nurse, there will be substantially more that would be expected of you. A lot of it will indeed come with on the job experience, however, you have to be fully prepared before you get your first good paying job as an R.N. This is why I emphasize at first that a nursing pathway, as with all other health field careers, should not be done online or cut corners by fast tracking the education. There is an enormous amount of information to learn so you will be confident and for the welfare of your patients.
Since you are still in high school and already a CNA, you should go to the agency that trained you and ask about additional certifications. If you already have your certification in First Aid and CPR, you can ask them where you can go for training in such skills as Basic Life Support, ACLS Certification which is Advanced Cardiac Life Support including strokes and managing a patients' airways. Others would be a Serve Safe Certification covering cleanliness, foodborne illnesses and food allergies. Also, there's a PALS Certification you can take for Pediatric Advanced Life Support. There are a lot more certifications that you can take once you become an R.N. A good time to take some of these would be during the summer when your schedule is more free.
For 12th grade next year in high school, I would advise taking any health science classes or psychology. I would also suggest that if you're very eager, maybe see about doing volunteer work in a nursing home. You'd have to be an employee to be the CNA there, but being around a health venue like a hospital, hospice center or rehab facility as a volunteer would help you see how things are run. Start reading Medical Terminology books to discover the names of illnesses that you have not learned yet and research medications and devices that R.N.s use on patients. This will give you a heads up for when you start Nursing School. While you are in Nursing School, your instructors will keep you fully informed about your career path and answer any questions you may have.
So my advice is to pace yourself in high school, do not rush things, try to get some certifications if you'd like, obtain volunteer work if you'd like, enroll in Nursing School and that will begin your introduction and path towards Nursing. There's really nothing much more you need to do except enjoy your last year in high school, take the health sciences and start nursing school after you graduate high school.
I hope that this is helpful and reassuring that you are doing the best things now already and the most important step will be Nursing School admission at which you'll learn everything you need to know. I wish you well on this awesome journey !
Martin Schoen
APRN
136
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Great question! The path you take in your nursing journey can be shaped by the specific program you choose. Some programs require you to complete all prerequisite courses before you dive into the actual nursing curriculum. If this is the case, tackling math, science, and other subjects at the college level could open the door to advanced classes or a wider range of electives. However, this can vary from program to program.
If there's a community or vocational college nearby, you might have the opportunity to knock out some of these courses before stepping foot into the nursing program. But remember, while you may be able to finish the theory-based courses, all programs insist on you completing their hands-on clinical components, and many insist of their didactic courses as well. This is a must to qualify for the nursing licensure exam, as there are certain fundamental elements you need to cover regardless of the program.
Another option could be enrolling in a 2-year RN program, finishing that, and then transferring to pursue your bachelor's degree. However, this route has a common challenge that many LPNs face - feeling overwhelmed or lacking the time to join another program. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! But remember, everyone's journey is unique and there are numerous paths to consider.
If there's a community or vocational college nearby, you might have the opportunity to knock out some of these courses before stepping foot into the nursing program. But remember, while you may be able to finish the theory-based courses, all programs insist on you completing their hands-on clinical components, and many insist of their didactic courses as well. This is a must to qualify for the nursing licensure exam, as there are certain fundamental elements you need to cover regardless of the program.
Another option could be enrolling in a 2-year RN program, finishing that, and then transferring to pursue your bachelor's degree. However, this route has a common challenge that many LPNs face - feeling overwhelmed or lacking the time to join another program. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely! But remember, everyone's journey is unique and there are numerous paths to consider.