I'm new here :-) and have some questions

para · Jan 19, 2007

Good Morning :-)
I am completely new here- I registered for CNA class yesterday, the class is in march. I am taking it because it is a prereq for nursing school.
I am a little worried, though..... i am 26 and I have two little children..... do i even have a chance of making it through nursing school? How old were you, when you decided to go into nursing? Or are there some people here who are happy as a cna and have no nursing ambitions?
I do know what to expect job-wise- I worked at a nursing home for two years as an aid, i know how hard the work is. That was a few years ago.... then my kids were born and I was "just" a stay at home mom for a while, until I realized that I wanted more.... after weeks and weeks of soul searching, making up my mind, changing it again, getting frustrated and wanting to give up on the whole college idea, i finally realized what I want to be- a nurse :-) But I know it will be a bumpy road to say the least. My kids are 3 and 1, and even finding the time for the prereq classes is a challenge already....
Plus, it seems to be really hard to get into nursing school.... is it like that everywhere? Here, if i apply next year, the very soonest i will be able to start the nursing program is Spring semester of 2009.... i'll be at least 30 by the time i graduate and sometimes i wonder if i will have the determination to see it all through.... anyway.... step by step, i guess..... first i need to take the cna and then take it from there...
anyway.... just wanted to introduce myself :-)
Have a great day!
K.

Welcome,

I am also 26, but I am not a CNA or a Nurse yet and I don't have kids. I do however understand your worries about school. I get stressed and nervous too that it will be to much. I think this is normal and pretty much everyone goes though it at one point or another. When I decided to go back to school I was going to go for a vet tech, then I decided I wanted to work in the human medical field. I thought of going for Phlebotomy/EKG Technician,Pharmacy Technician or MA (Medical Assistants) before I decided I really wanted to become an LPN. Like you said you worked as an aide , so you know it is hard work. From what I have heard nursing school is hard.But it is defiantly possible to get though it.Around here for the LPN schools some are harder then others to get into. I am looking to go in 2008. There is a waiting list around here and I am still looking into schools.I plan on applying to all three school close to me .Whatever one excepts me then I will go there.I think prereqs alone are stressful.If possible ease in and start with taking one or two classes.I think if you want to be a nurse and you work really hard then you will do fine. I think baby steps is the best way to get where you want to be.It may take more time, but that is ok the end result is the same. That is what I am doing too. You can also work full or part time as a CNA till and maybe even during nursing school.Good luck !!!!

caliotter3 · Jan 19, 2007

Believe it or not, in some urban places, in acute care hosp, full time CNAs can make a pretty good wage w/benefits in relationship to either minimum wage or being on public aid, so don't be discouraged at the CNA level. While you will have a difficult time with your schedule and family and work resp, it is doable, if you are creative and proactive in finding ways to make it work. Let me caution you though about keeping your personal life and job to yourself as much as possible once you are in nrsg school. Most schools actively discourage students from working, and at worst, if you start having probs that show, you may be targeted. Figure out a way to be low key and keep your after school activities your own business. Good luck to you.