Considering becoming a CNA?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I'm considering becoming a CNA then later becoming an RN. I'm wondering is this worth my time & effort. I've seen that the pay is quite low in Illinois, could be $11 hourly, I know it's good for experience but I don't want to be over worked and underpaid. Especially with the things they have to do.

My questions are basically how much is they pay, is it worth it & what are some tasks that they do?

Yeah its not too many that offer it.What suburb do you stay near? I forgot to add College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn,they have lpn and rn.

@mom2beanurse : What area are you in?@ FutureNeoNursing I'm near Chicago Heights. South Suburbs I think Glen Ellyn is far from me.

I find myself really conflicted though on getting an lpn. As a mother of 3 an extra income is very much needed so i feel like going for a lpn would prolong getting an rn. Any thoughts or advice?

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

You will be over worked and underpaid. No doubt about it. You will likely leave work completely exhausted. BUT it is worth it. You will find out what your niche is, which areas you like best, what your weaknesses are an if nursing is the field for you. CNAs at hospitals do a lot more than In The long term care setting but both are equally rewarding and challenging. I would be a CNA forever if it paid the bills and my body would hold out. That's just my 2 cents.

"No day but today"

You not that far from me! I stay in the Pullman area by Halsted...Trust me I know how it can be. I have one teenager and raising her on my own so I need a program that is not too long and I can start making money sooner than later lol I leaned towards the lpn because most RN courses need more pre reqs and may have a waitlist. It depends how much time you have and how soon you look to get in the field,either way you will be a nurse :) Since you in Chicago Heights check out Prarie State College,their RN classes start in the fall and deadline is Feb 2013 for all documents. Im going to apply because its not far from me and I heard good reviews. If I dont get accepted then I will still be on track to enroll in the LPN class.. Check out the Lpn to Rn forum, they have some good insight on how it all works.

Specializes in OB.

@MsKim: I'm in East Central Florida, Brevard County. :)

Specializes in OB.

@MsKim: as a mom of 3 myself and at my age (41) I have decided to go with a BSN. As an LPN I would make pretty much the same I am making now as a scrub tech. I will be starting my NURS classes in the fall and it'll take me 2 years to finish. As of now I'm still doing some general classes and my sciences. It'll be total 3 years for the BSN.

You will be over worked and underpaid. No doubt about it. You will likely leave work completely exhausted. BUT it is worth it. You will find out what your niche is, which areas you like best, what your weaknesses are an if nursing is the field for you. CNAs at hospitals do a lot more than In The long term care setting but both are equally rewarding and challenging. I would be a CNA forever if it paid the bills and my body would hold out. That's just my 2 cents.

"No day but today"

Yea I figured as much lol that's why I kind of don't want to go for it anymore. Just figured I should devote my time to being an LPN.Thanx :)

You not that far from me! I stay in the Pullman area by Halsted...Trust me I know how it can be. I have one teenager and raising her on my own so I need a program that is not too long and I can start making money sooner than later lol I leaned towards the lpn because most RN courses need more pre reqs and may have a waitlist. It depends how much time you have and how soon you look to get in the field,either way you will be a nurse :) Since you in Chicago Heights check out Prarie State College,their RN classes start in the fall and deadline is Feb 2013 for all documents. Im going to apply because its not far from me and I heard good reviews. If I dont get accepted then I will still be on track to enroll in the LPN class.. Check out the Lpn to Rn forum, they have some good insight on how it all works.

Oh your right around here. :) I talked to Prairie State and they just have the associates program. The lady I talked to said that most work places want u to have a Bachelors & suggested I go for that after I get the associates. So I looked around & I don't need an Associates to get the bachelors I can go straight for the bachelor. Why waste 2-4 years when I can just go straight to a college for a BSN. Plus my mother told me (she's an NICU RN) her hospital requires now to have a Bachelor. It's better to go for the bachelor since most employers want you to have that, I think. Where are u going for the lpn class? I'm thinking Everest since it's a 9 month program plus they're accredited.

I definitely will have to check out that forum. I need all the info I can get lol.

@MsKim: as a mom of 3 myself and at my age (41) I have decided to go with a BSN. As an LPN I would make pretty much the same I am making now as a scrub tech. I will be starting my NURS classes in the fall and it'll take me 2 years to finish. As of now I'm still doing some general classes and my sciences. It'll be total 3 years for the BSN.

I want to get for the BSN also. Good luck with ur schooling! I know it's hard with kids especially 3 lol.

@MsKim I hate Everest...If I see one more commercial lol I most likely will go to ATSInstitute of Technology downtown for the LPN program since I already passed the entrance exams and now I just need to take my accuplacer test for placement. They are accredidated,and no waiting list or pre reqs needed. You can graduate in 12 months or 16 months,depends on your tests and if you are transferring any courses in with a "b" average. Your mom is in the field that I wanna go into :) I want to work in neonatal nursing and make my way to be a neonatal nurse practitioner! When you get a chance ask her do I need to work in pediatrics first to gain experience and then go do the certification? Thanks!

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Yea I figured as much lol that's why I kind of don't want to go for it anymore. Just figured I should devote my time to being an LPN.Thanx :)

Just remember, CNAs make really great nurses ;)

"No day but today"

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