GUIDE Your Roadmap to Becoming an RN

Transcription

1 GUIDE Your Roadmap to Becoming an RN You ve worked hard to achieve your dreams. Hours of class and then the excitement (and work) of getting certified as a Medical Assistant just so you can help others. Every day you take medical histories, check vitals or draw blood. But you want to do more for your patients, like administering IVs and operating specialized equipment which means getting licensed as an RN. You know the road ahead isn t an easy one but with careful planning you can do anything. Trust yourself and you can overcome the roadblocks between you and your dreams by getting your BSN and becoming an RN.

2 I don t know where to start. The DOH has a list of state approved nursing programs Start there and check the locations, admission requirements, and degrees offered to find a few schools you d like to apply to. And make sure the schools you pick are accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC.

3 That application is looong. Anything worth doing well takes time. Applications are often due in January so now is a great time to make sure you have everything you need to apply. If there are prerequisite courses, get them out of the way. Then start planning on how you ll ace your application essays. Set aside an hour a week to get ahead of the application game and you ll be golden for next year.

4 There are so many applicants. Can I even get in? They d have to be fools not to admit you. Your on-the-job experience makes you stand out from the crowd and you ve got amazing professional references. Use your application essay to show that you re ready for this next step and if you still don t feel confident, take some time to volunteer or take an extra class.

5 School is too expensive. Yeah, but it can really pay off. Education is a major investment. When you re looking at schools, ask about opportunities for financial aid and scholarships. And remember that when you get a job as an RN, you ll make more money. If your employer is part of the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund, you might have additional assistance available to you.

6 School takes time, and I still have to work. Talk to an Admissions Counselor. If you have an Associates degree, you might be able to transfer some of your credits over to save some time. Also, check class schedules and locations to see if you can take classes in the evening or on weekends. You can do both.

7 What does a BSN program even look like? That ll depend on which school you choose. Plan on having a mixture of classroom time and hands-on or laboratory coursework. You ll also do clinical classwork or a clinical rotation. You have a lot of this kind of experience already, so you can help other students get used to the healthcare setting when the time comes.

8 The clinical rotations are too far from home. Find creative solutions. This is something you can look into before you apply for a particular school. And remember, clinical rotations only last a short period of time usually a quarter or semester. Ask your family, friends, or partner if they can help you find a creative way to cover this time away from home.

9 The test scares me. You ve got this. Let the 6-hour-long NCLEX-RN be your opportunity to show off just how hard you ve worked to get here. All you have to do now is fill out your application and rock the test. Form a study group and ask any RNs you know what they wish they d known before taking the test.

10 Congratulations! You re well on your way to changing lives for the better both yours and your patients. Achieving your dreams is hard work, but with the right preparation, you can leap over any roadblock. Visit Clinic Connections on Facebook clinic-connections.com is sponsored by: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW