I am a nursing student in a BSN program. I want to eventually become an RN, but I would like to be able to make some $$$ and gain some experience before I graduate. Is it possible to be a CNA or LPN after a certain amount of nursing school? If so, how much? Can LPNs and CNAs work part time? Do you need a certain amount of clinical hours. I live in MA. Thank you.

You can work as a CNA after you start clinicals.

LPN's are nurses with their own nursing programs and they must pass boards like RN's. So you become an LPN by attending an LPN prgram and passing the NCLEX-PN, not by getting partway through your RN program.

CNA's, certfied nursing assistants, have a certain number of hours of classroom learning and training, as well as having to pass a written and clinical competency. Some facilities hire students as "techs" or "care assistants" or other roles that don't requires the certification.

Forgot to add that you can work as a nurse intern at many facilities (usually after a certain number of semesters of clinicals are completed) but as we discussed in another thread, these jobs also often wind up being essentially aide roles.

In the program from AZ (I had to leave d/t illness) after 1st semester you can take the exam for a CNA, after 2nd semester you can for LVN. Here in CA that is NOT the case. This program does not meet the criteria for those, you have to take the specific CNA or LVN/LPN program I was told. That makes no sense to me!

I guess it depends upon your nursing school, how it is designed and your individual state's requirements.

Actually you CAN sit for LPN boards when in RN school.....you must complete 1/2 of your requirements and must have a letter from your counselor to challenge boards.

FYI: In some places, CNA's can make as much as LPN's. If you work agency, you can make more.

Good luck!!

I will never cease to be amazed at the difference among states in laws related to nursing. Thanks for the enlightenment, folks!

My program allowed challenging LVN exam after certain amount of BSN program was completed. This replaced their previous policy of allowing challenge of RN exam after completion of 75% of program. In CA you can challenge LVN exam with certain amount of paid pt care (5 yrs, 54 months? not sure) and taking pharmacology course. Can also challenge if you were medical corpsman in one of the armed services. Program stopped early RN testing of students b/c people were taking RN boards as practice only, not caring whether or not they passed. This was giving the school a bad reputation. Very big disservice to those who started program (myself included) under previous policy. Some of us needed to work and took everything seriously.

My program allowed challenging LVN exam after certain amount of BSN program was completed. This replaced their previous policy of allowing challenge of RN exam after completion of 75% of program. In CA you can challenge LVN exam with certain amount of paid pt care (5 yrs, 54 months? not sure) and taking pharmacology course. Can also challenge if you were medical corpsman in one of the armed services. Program stopped early RN testing of students b/c people were taking RN boards as practice only, not caring whether or not they passed. This was giving the school a bad reputation. Very big disservice to those who started program (myself included) under previous policy. Some of us needed to work and took everything seriously.

Where did you challenge it at?

what program and where did you challenge the lvn board at ?

where did you go

what program and where did you challenge the lvn board at ?

This thread is nearly three years old and it doesn't look like the original poster has continued on. Would you like to start a new thread in the state forum you are interested in?