AA in Nursing Online?

[LaterBloomer]

Something to consider is if you want to be a nurse because you want a job, or because you want to be a nurse. Recently, I heard a radio article about the nursing field. Newer graduates were having a harder time finding jobs. Why? Well, all of the more experienced (usually female) nurses who had left the field when the economy was doing well, were coming back into nursing 'cause spouses had lost jobs, their retirement accounts weren't doing well, whatever. When a nurse was to be hired, they were hiring nurses with experience, rather than nurses fresh out of school. (I suspect also paying the nurses MUCH less than they were earning when they previously left the field.) If you're looking for a job, as opposed to really wanting to be a nurse, please see if this article was accurate. Getiton1 sounds very knowledgeable. My sisters are nurses, so lots of what is posted sounds about right. Also, have our heard of the NCLEX? My understanding is that nurses who have real clinical experience do better on it than those with less clinical experience.

Whatever you do, I wish you well. And while I tend to rain on parades, I'm really just trying to provide an alternative position that you might want to consider.

[clep3705]

For nursing jobs, new grads need not apply - Jan. 14, 2013 there is a surplus, not a shortage, of new nursing school graduates. Go to allnurses.com to get the details on getting hired.

This cartoon video is painfully realistic, read the recent comments posted about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU1emGCPTc8

Here are the national pass rates for the NCLEX: https://www.ncsbn.org/Table_of_Pass_Rates_2012.pdf

About 90% pass the NCLEX. It feels harder than it is. It is an adaptive test. It keeps increasing the difficulty level as you take it so that you will miss about half of the questions. Whether you are smart or not, pass or fail, you're going to miss about half of the questions on the NCLEX. That's why it feels hard. But with about a 90% first time pass rate, is it really that hard?

[Getiton1]

Hey, HumboltJake,

If you are a guy (just guessing since I saw the name ...Jake?), and are strong and don't mind lifting... you might have an easier time after graduation than most finding in job once you are done with nursing school working in areas such as 1. Rehab nursing 2. Orthopedic Floor 3. Home Care 4. Physical Therapy, 5. Prison nursing etc. Why? We need help lifting!!! Because while I have seen lots of articles that the nursing job market changed and lots of more experienced nurses came out of retirement to work in the hospitals again...one thing I can tell you is if you keep checking out different hospitals...some of us are SO GRATEFUL to see a new, young, strong and eager new grad that doesn't mind jumping in and helping us do some of the muscle work that comes with making our patients more comfortable, or meeting their mobility goals or helping with combative patients. You might find some nursing floors are not sure what to do with a male nurse if they have never had one before. And in case you didn't hear, Nurses (especially the older more experienced nurses can have a reputation of "eating their young" meaning, they make it hard for you. It's sort of like a frat/sorority/military initiation. I am not a part of the group that would do this. I should tell you that several of my more senior nurses were quite (spelled it right this time) the opposite and took me under their wings when I was new shiny nurse. The profession is trying to work on this phenomenon. Anyway, from my experience I would take a new grad male nurse on any of the hospital floors mentioned above (including homecare). I would take an EXPERIENCED male nurse without a doubt in the ER, same day surgery and even flight nurse (in the helicopter if we were allowed to have more than one nurse due to weight/legal restrictions). Why? There are times I need that muscle. I used to know a female body builder who was a nurse and boy did I miss her when she got married and moved away. Do you know what specialty area you want to go in after you do your typical 1-2 year med surg time in the hospital? I didn't even ask you, but what's your healthcare background? If you are experienced and all this is known to you, forgive me for overlapping your knowledge. If this is new to you feel free to private message me if you want to pick my brain.

Here's one of the BEST video's I have seen that give you a peek into the typical life of a nurse. You know I have been a nurse for years and this video, just gets to me....why? Because so much of our days are filled with the highest highs like seeing babies born, or watching someone walk again after a stroke or brain damage...that look of joy and the feeling of accomplishment knowing you made a difference. Sometimes it's a string of the lowest or low days. Like holding the hand of someone who is dying, but really wanted and was hoping their son would come say goodbye before they died. Or the part of the video where the one nurse closes the curtain so that the other nurse and sit quietly and hold the hand of the patient. Or the other part of the video were you see the one nurse wiping off the white board the other nurse looking at the bed really thoughtfully (my guess is that they probably just lost that patient and she was reflecting on them). Plus there's the angry patients, the doctors who are not nice and treat you badly, the barf, the poop, the snot, the blood, the needles, the saws, sick helpless children, the people who are just lost to the world and have no one who cares for them. I think the reason why so many people on here are speaking about your request for information... is that becoming a nurse is one of the most important jobs and to do it in a hurry (without knowing what your clinical background is), just makes people wonder why you would want to do that? It's one of the toughest jobs (but very rewarding jobs) out there.

Here's the video....really: 'This is nursing' - YouTube

It's called, 'This is nursing' and it's on You Tube if this link does not work and you want to see it.

If you really, REALLY want to be a nurse I would be the very first person to support you in your noble quest. I just want to be honest with you so that you know what you are getting into before you are wondering why you chose to do this job when you are sleep deprived, up to your elbows in poop and you just got yelled at.

I have a special place in my heart for deeply caring individuals who want to help their fellow humans.

Wishing you luck no matter what you choose,
Tara

OK, I think I am about the only RN on this thread...and I graduated from Excelsior. I have to say I agree with 95% of Rebel's Take. The Excelsior program is intense. It's absolutely NOT for everyone. But for the people in professions such as he stated it can help them move to a clinical level that (depending on the individual) has a strong inclination that they could accomplish. For example, I was an LPN and had a higher degree, but Exclesior is (or at least it was not) based on having a Bachelors. As Rebel said, the program required you to be a health care provider and when I went to school you had to have your LPN or a Paramedic License. So I don't think that's your situation right? If it IS, let me know or post me privately and I can share my experience with you as well as that of my peers. One of the other other posters had a very good point. Being an Excelsior graduate now has more restrictions...(it didn't have quiet as many restrictions when I went through the program). When I went through the program only California did not recognize an Excelsior AAS degree/RN license...yes, this is true... even though I am the same person that took and passed the SAME test as every other RN in that time period for my State. Currently even more states have stricter rules for recognizing degrees not just from Excelsior but from other distance programs as well. (For example Maryland does not accept newer Excelsior AAS, or RN's). Other states Boards of Nursing (BON) have specific rules for how, when and if they will take a distance learning degree. It's really sad, because as a graduate of Excelsior College and a high ranking professional, I can tell you that I would take on an Excelsior Graduate from the RN program in a heartbeat! Why? Because the CPNE (the 3 day clinical) is about the hardest things I have EVER done in my life. It was more stressful than planning a wedding in 2 countries a week apart (I married a man from England and we didn't want either side of our family to miss out on something as awesome as our wedding day!) SO...for what it's worth I think you need to consider ALL of the advice from everyone. I think Allnurses is a GREAT suggestion. If you do not have any health professional experience I would not even think to recommend any nursing program that was less than one year. Why? Because if you are thinking about holding people's lives in your hands, you need to have a lot of knowledge and clinical experience under your belt. There is a reason being an RN is one of the most highly respected careers. We are not doctors, but hold and gather massive amount of knowledge about the entire human being, both emotional and physical. Not only that, but we are the ones GIVING the medications and monitoring people after things like open heart surgery. You have to know what to do and when to question things. You only gain that confidence through experience. As a nurse you have to also have a sense of compassion and be able to keep your cool in some very frustrating circumstances.

OK, that's a LOT of information. But don't let anyone discourage you if this is your hearts ambition. The world could always use another compassionate, caring, passionate and SMART nurse! You have your Bachelors Degree already? Well, you have proven that you have the discipline to get through a lot of course work. I might suggest that if you haven't already tried working as an aide in a hospital to see if it's for you. The pay is not good, but it's learning about caring for the public from the ground up.

I only know of the TESC program for Bachelors. It's a mandatory "in person" course and it's a year. If you are really into becoming a public servant like a nurse I would check it out!

I applaud your desire to want to help people. Nursing without a doubt is a "helping" profession.

Hope this info helped you a little

[humboldtjake]

Thanks for all your answers. I would like to become an RN (AA) because I would like to start medical and nursing corporations across the US. I am not really interested in the clinical side. I am a business man and i need a medical degree to not be a layperson when I start a corporation. If I am a RN I can hire doctors as employees of my corporation. I know there are loopholes and this is not true in all states, but if I am an RN, then I do not have to use loopholes and 100% in the clear.

-Jacob

[Jonathan Whatley]

Thanks for all your answers. I would like to become an RN (AA) because I would like to start medical and nursing corporations across the US. I am not really interested in the clinical side. I am a business man and i need a medical degree to not be a layperson when I start a corporation. If I am a RN I can hire doctors as employees of my corporation. I know there are loopholes and this is not true in all states, but if I am an RN, then I do not have to use loopholes and 100% in the clear.

Jacob, before even thinking further about investing the massive work and considerable money required to pursue a nursing degree, let alone to hire doctors and start "corporations across the US," please run this by a health lawyer for at least a 5 minute introductory meeting. I'm pretty sure the underlying premises here are mistaken.

[GoodYellowDogs]

In California you can't "hire" MDs unless you are the state. California has a law against the corporate practice of medicine. You can contract with them, but not hire them.

Thanks for all your answers. I would like to become an RN (AA) because I would like to start medical and nursing corporations across the US. I am not really interested in the clinical side. I am a business man and i need a medical degree to not be a layperson when I start a corporation. If I am a RN I can hire doctors as employees of my corporation. I know there are loopholes and this is not true in all states, but if I am an RN, then I do not have to use loopholes and 100% in the clear.

-Jacob

[rntobe3069]

OK, I think I am about the only RN on this thread...and I graduated from Excelsior. I have to say I agree with 95% of Rebel's Take. The Excelsior program is intense. It's absolutely NOT for everyone. But for the people in professions such as he stated it can help them move to a clinical level that (depending on the individual) has a strong inclination that they could accomplish. For example, I was an LPN and had a higher degree, but Exclesior is (or at least it was not) based on having a Bachelors. As Rebel said, the program required you to be a health care provider and when I went to school you had to have your LPN or a Paramedic License. So I don't think that's your situation right? If it IS, let me know or post me privately and I can share my experience with you as well as that of my peers. One of the other other posters had a very good point. Being an Excelsior graduate now has more restrictions...(it didn't have quiet as many restrictions when I went through the program). When I went through the program only California did not recognize an Excelsior AAS degree/RN license...yes, this is true... even though I am the same person that took and passed the SAME test as every other RN in that time period for my State. Currently even more states have stricter rules for recognizing degrees not just from Excelsior but from other distance programs as well. (For example Maryland does not accept newer Excelsior AAS, or RN's). Other states Boards of Nursing (BON) have specific rules for how, when and if they will take a distance learning degree. It's really sad, because as a graduate of Excelsior College and a high ranking professional, I can tell you that I would take on an Excelsior Graduate from the RN program in a heartbeat! Why? Because the CPNE (the 3 day clinical) is about the hardest things I have EVER done in my life. It was more stressful than planning a wedding in 2 countries a week apart (I married a man from England and we didn't want either side of our family to miss out on something as awesome as our wedding day!) SO...for what it's worth I think you need to consider ALL of the advice from everyone. I think Allnurses is a GREAT suggestion. If you do not have any health professional experience I would not even think to recommend any nursing program that was less than one year. Why? Because if you are thinking about holding people's lives in your hands, you need to have a lot of knowledge and clinical experience under your belt. There is a reason being an RN is one of the most highly respected careers. We are not doctors, but hold and gather massive amount of knowledge about the entire human being, both emotional and physical. Not only that, but we are the ones GIVING the medications and monitoring people after things like open heart surgery. You have to know what to do and when to question things. You only gain that confidence through experience. As a nurse you have to also have a sense of compassion and be able to keep your cool in some very frustrating circumstances.

OK, that's a LOT of information. But don't let anyone discourage you if this is your hearts ambition. The world could always use another compassionate, caring, passionate and SMART nurse! You have your Bachelors Degree already? Well, you have proven that you have the discipline to get through a lot of course work. I might suggest that if you haven't already tried working as an aide in a hospital to see if it's for you. The pay is not good, but it's learning about caring for the public from the ground up.

I only know of the TESC program for Bachelors. It's a mandatory "in person" course and it's a year. If you are really into becoming a public servant like a nurse I would check it out!

I applaud your desire to want to help people. Nursing without a doubt is a "helping" profession.

Hope this info helped you a little

I, too, am an RN who graduated from Excelsior College and proud to say that from enrollment to RN in hand took me 10 months from 08/2009-06/2010. I had been an LPN for 24 years when I enrolled. There have been changes to the curriculum, though minor, since then and other factors will determine the speed of the program for you. I'm now in there RN-BSN program. I also am a very active member on the ALLNURSES.com website and I believe the OP will get better answers about the program there as one of the moderators is also an EXCELSIOR graduate. I came here to instantcert.com because in addition to needing study materials for a couple general education credits, I needed insight to exams that I couldn't get there. Every website has its advantages and disadvantages. Of course, I have a different username on each one.....lol. These sites are kinda like your kids in that you don't love one any less than the other. Instead you love them differently because of their uniqueness.