8 Responses to “Do You Have To Go To College Then Nursing School To Be A Nurse Or Can You Just Go Straight To Nursing School?”

1. whoknewt Says:
   December 15th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

   an LPN does not always require college – you can get training at a technical school. But most college’s (community colleges) are starting to offer LPN programs. You don’t get a degree, just a Nursing Certificate.
   If you take the LPN courses at a technical school, then no you don’t have to go to college. If you take it at the college, then obviously you have to take courses there.
   If you want to be an RN, you MUST attend college. To be a RN, you must get atleast an associates degree AND Nursing Diploma from the nursing school. There is no way around attending college. Maybe in the 60’s but not anymore.
   If you want to be an LPN, I wouldn’t recommend the technical or vocational school for the training because they are VERY expensive and 9 times out of 10, they don’t accept financial aid. In other words, they want $8,000 UP front in cash or credit card. No payment plans. Also, they have a set schedule of classes that you can’t change. It’s a FULL time program, normally like 7am-5pm.
   If you take the LPN courses at a community college, you know that financial aid will help pay (or pay entirely) for your courses. You can better plan your schedule. You can take the courses that are required at day or night, some can be taken online, etc. (Not the nursing courses – I am talking about the college classes that are required).
   Another benefit of the community college is that if you decide to further your education in a few years and become an RN, you KNOW that your credits and courses will transfer into the RN program. With those vocational schools, you never know. Because they don’t offer “credits”. They offer course hours. It’s wierd. Some people finish courses there and then they have to take them all over again if they want to further education.
   The LPN program is normally 8 months-14 months. Depending on your school. That is anywhere from 2-4 semesters. So you can be finished in like a year. And LPN programs do not normally have waiting lists. RN programs do (like 1-3 years!)
   A benefit of becoming an LPN, and THEN continuing school to be an RN is that many employers of LPN’s offer tuition reimbursement for RN school (which is LOTS of money!) So they can help you pay for it.
   So you have alot to think about. Start calling the vocational and community colleges, or visit their websites and get all the pamphlets and books about their nursing programs, weigh the pro’s and con’s depending on your situation.
   Good luck and either way that you choose to get your nursing license, I wish you the best. Don’t give up! You can do it!

2. Jill Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:26 am

   “Nursing school” is college.
   You can be a Registered Nurse with as little as an Associate’s Degree. These programs are most commonly found in community colleges, but they can also offer them at traditional 4-year univerisities and colleges. You usually need about a year’s worth of pre-requisite courses in the sciences (biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, etc.) before you start the nursing core courses, and then the courses are sequenced so it takes another two years of nursing courses before you graduate. So you’re looking at about 3 years of college.
   You can also earn a Bachelor’s Degree, which is typically 4 years if you attend full-time, longer if you attend part time. You complete those pre-requisite courses during your Freshman and Sophomore years, apply to your school’s nursing program during Sophomore year, then start the nursing courses Junior year.
   The exception to the “college” rule is that there are still a handful of hospital-taught nursing programs where you earn a diploma, but not a degree. It’s about 2-3 years in length.
   You are always better off earning a college degree. You are always better off earning a higher degree. You can start in one place with one level of education and go on later to complete a higher degree. I started with my Associate’s and went on to complete my BSN afterwards. It took a total of 5.5 years to complete altogether (I went part time).
   Research schools in your area and talk to their admissions reps about requirements for entry. Be prepared RN programs are competative to get into, they may have wait lists, and it might take a couple of years of trying multiple schools before you get admitted. But if you’re serious about becoming an RN, it’s worth the effort and time it might take.
   Good luck.

3. US_DR_JD Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 6:51 am

   You seen to be confused about who does what jobs in health care, and the appropriate titles for these positions.
   Frequently the person who takes your temperature and blood pressure and in many states also gives injections and draws blood in a clinic is a Medical Assistant. Many people call these people nurses, as it is easier for the lay person to grasp that concept.
   Most people do not understand the vast differences in the scope of practice and educational preparation of a Medical Assistant, Nursing Assistant, LPN and RN. Just as they get confused when they see PAs and NPs and are unable to differentiate them from physicians.
   All RNs attend college of some type, even the hospital based diploma RN programs have prerequisite courses which must be taken at a college before starting the program.
   LPNs also attend a vocational, technical or community college to receive a certificate, if not an associate degree, depending on the program they attend.
   Medical assistants also may provide an associate degree or a certificate depending on the specific program.
   You need to talk to the program you want to attend to get the specific information about what is required.

4. ferociou Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 8:35 am

   I work at a community college. The nursing program is through a nursing school but is taught by our professors on our campus.
   You don’t have to get a degree then go to nursing school but nursing programs are usually on college campuses.
   The nursing program is 2 years.

5. scsriver Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

   No you don’t have to go to college to be a nurse .
   If you want to get any highter than that you may have to go.

6. Amanda Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

   yes you do. you have to take your basic classes then apply into the nursing program.

7. eloquent Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 8:28 pm

   talk to a rep from your state’s Board of Nursing.

8. Elizabeth Says:
   December 29th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

   Brown Mackie College offers an associate’s degree in nursing at two campuses: Kansas City and Salina. Brown Mackie is a private college that allows students to take one course per month. This advantage allows students to fit classes into their schedule and to focus on one subject at a time. Brown Mackie also offers job assistance for graduates–an invaluable tool. You can check out their programs at http://www.brownmackie.edu.