Please help me! I really need good sound advice...

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi there...

Where do I begin??? I am originally from California, but moved to Illinois five years ago in order to care for my father in law. Our plan was that this was to be a temporary move, but as life has it's way... and go sideways sometimes, and even the best laid out plans can go out the window. Here I still am! My background has always been in education "special education." I've worked in the field for over 15 years and loved it, but felt like I needed more. Anyway, I have always longed to be a nurse... but for a multitude of reasons I was never able to go to college and pursue that dream. A year ago, I decided to once again inquire about nursing school ( I was 47 and thought its now or never). I looked into the community colleges in my area and the wait lists were sooo long. I really felt discouraged. Eventually, I learned of an accelerated program in the area and decided to see what it was all about. After talking with them in great lengths... it was at their suggestion that I pursue a medical assisting career first. The reason being primarily... the infamous TEAS test. I had been out of school for so long... I was afraid I would have trouble passing the test. I also felt and still do that I do not have any time to waste. The school shared with me that many people get caught up in trying to pass the TEAS and go no where therefore time is wasted to get going in the healthcare field. So... I decided at their suggestion to get a medical assisting diploma and move on from there. Honestly, I had no idea how I was even going to do in school, and especially in an accelerated program. Moving forward... I am happy to say that I have done really good academically for the past 13 months and have made the Deans list nearly every quarter. I am almost done, and will begin externing in the next few weeks. After that, I will be finished, and on the hunt for a job! I have really enjoyed the program, although I was the oldest in my class which took some getting used to. Anyway, I can't wait to start a career in patient care! Unfortunately, I still have many questions... and I have searched high and low to get answers, but have not had much success. Sooo... I am turning to you all, and putting my story out there in hopes that someone can point me in the right direction... Whoever you are, I thank you for reading my rambling story and I thank you for the much needed advice.

Just an FYI... I am moving back to California within the next 12 months...

Here are my questions...

Where are the best places to apply for a CMA position, doctors office or hospital?

Is it important to have an Associates degree as a CMA?

If I do get the Associates then the only thing I can build on with it for a BA degree would be Healthcare Management or Health and Wellness. Is that worth while or not so much?

I have looked in California for an accelerated RN program to no avail. Again, I can only find college programs with very long waiting lists, and as I said earlier in my post, I do not feel like I have time for that. I am almost 49! Do I just bite the bullet and go for that? I'd be in my mid to late 50's most likely before I'd even finish or is there a better answer to being in healthcare and feeling a sense of accomplishment!?!

I did find an accelerated program for an LVN program, but it did not seem much different than being a CMA... am I wrong?

Also... I need to weigh the cost of achieving an education vs. how many years can I work to pay back the loans. I do not want to be 80 still writing that check! :0)

Bottom line, I want a fulfilling career in patient care and also be able to make a decent living. I also want to stop stressing over all of this, and sleep at night! I just feel like I am in a race against time. If I were 25 this would be a no brainer for me... but before you know it I will be pushing 50 (years young) :0)

So please... if you have any suggestions... HELP!

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CMA doesn't need any additional training. Once you begin working, you might want to get more training, but imo it would be a waste.

Are you still going to become an RN? If so, do you intend to work at a hospital? If so, get a job at the hospital as a cma so you'll have your foot in the door once you're a nurse. If you can't get hired at the hospital without work experience, get on with any other place (search indeed.com for jobs), and keep applying ay the hospital. Volunteer at the hospital in your spare time to get a foot in the door.

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Thanks for the advice! I just got my extern assignment. I will be heading to Cardiology... I am still on the fence about becoming an RN... We will see what happens!

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Great! Good luck, and good job for following your dreams :) I'm 35 and finally going back to school to become an RN!

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Good for you and best of luck too!

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I don't know what you were taught in your Medical Assisting program, but an LPN is different than a CMA. Don't rule it out just yet. I was in my 50's when I started nursing school.

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Thank you for the info! Are you an LPN or RN? How do you like it?

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.
Thank you for the info! Are you an LPN or RN? How do you like it?

I am an LPN. I like it very much.

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Awesome... Good to hear!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I don't know where you went but they got you hook, line & sinker. MAs & LVNs are completely different from each other. MAs follow the medical model of care & LVNs follow the nursing model of care.

There is no bridge program for MAs to LVNs/RNs. MAs only work in doctor's offices.

You are never too old to become a nurse if that is truly what you want to do. I know CA is very competitive but if you want to do it, then do it.

Some LVN programs have pre-reqs, some do not. But if you have no debt & nothing holding you back I would suggest getting your pre-reqs knocked out & applying to any & every RN program you can.

Good luck!

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Thank you for the info. I really appreciate the advice... I am going to move on with my education for sure... At the moment, I am getting ready to extern in Cardiology...

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Specializes in Long term care.

My sister was in her 40's with a 10 yr old child when she decided to go to nursing school. She was placed on a waiting list and was told it could be about a 2 year wait. She decided to go for it since she waited this long what's another 2 years.....6 months later she was in the program! She has been a nurse for 7 years now.

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