CNA to LPN to BSN to MSN , Whew! - Page 2

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  1. Mar 14, '09 by
    I resigned from my job almost a month ago and am living off of my savings, which is enough to cover me for 1 year if need be. However my partner is also covering half of our bills so that has been such a help! I would prefer to have some income coming in rather than touching my savings - I want to save it for part of our future homes down payment. Call me spoiled but I would prefer to rely on something else other than my own $$.

    FYI: When I say that I have enough savings to cover me for 1 year it refers to enough money for rent, bills, food, etc- NOT enough to cover expenses and school. I would still need a loan for school. I hope I qualify for financial aid.

    If I could go to school full time, and get one big loan to cover school AND living expenses than I'll do it!!!

    Ok, I need to think this over. Maybe I am not approaching this in the most logical way.
    Last edit by Desilina on Mar 14, '09 : Reason: Adding another point that I forgot to mention
  2. Mar 15, '09 by
    Quote from Desilina
    I resigned from my job almost a month ago and am living off of my savings, which is enough to cover me for 1 year if need be. However my partner is also covering half of our bills so that has been such a help! I would prefer to have some income coming in rather than touching my savings - I want to save it for part of our future homes down payment. Call me spoiled but I would prefer to rely on something else other than my own $$.

    FYI: When I say that I have enough savings to cover me for 1 year it refers to enough money for rent, bills, food, etc- NOT enough to cover expenses and school. I would still need a loan for school. I hope I qualify for financial aid.

    If I could go to school full time, and get one big loan to cover school AND living expenses than I'll do it!!!

    Ok, I need to think this over. Maybe I am not approaching this in the most logical way.
    Unless someone is really struggling to pass I will never understand quitting a job to "focus on school". I think you are wise to prefer to continue having an income so you can keep saving for your future home etc. I went to school full time and did a minimum of 30 hours a week at work all through LPN and RN school and that equaled over $100,000 in income that I would never have been able to recoup. Just something to consider.
  3. Mar 15, '09 by
    Thanks for your reply. To clarify, I left the position due to poor support from the company overall, and various other reasons. I did not leave to focus on school. After coming home depressed on numerous occassions and finding myself crying in the bathroom during lunch breaks, I knew that it was not the place for me. I have been working since I was 17 (almost 27), even while attending college fulltime a few years ago. But I dropped out of school and started working fulltime instead. I've always regretted not getting my degree.

    But I understand what you mean about leaving a job. However people should be able to leave a job based upon other factors than passing/failing courses. Life is complicated indeed. :-)
  4. Mar 15, '09 by
    Quote from Desilina
    However people should be able to leave a job based upon other factors than passing/failing courses. Life is complicated indeed. :-)

    Absolutely and its jmo that quitting work to focus on school isn't a valid reason not to bring in some income unless you are in danger of flunking out but of course people are able to leave a job based on whatever they feel is a good reason, lol.
  5. Mar 20, '09 by
    I was a cna for 2 yrs, and am an lpn. Now I am working on prereqs for acclerated asn or bsn program. I am a single mom who lives with my mom(nurse). It hasn,t been easy, but i feel that the experience helped me get into school as well as understand some concepts during school. I earned my cna through my job. Its not common but some places will train you and pay for your certification. It's not an easy job or route to take. But some places will also reimburse you for your education. Also having a healthcare job while in nursing school comes in handy when you have a major test coming up.
    Desilina likes this.
  6. Mar 20, '09 by
    I took the same steps that you are about to do, because i could not work so i worked my way up i was first a CNA, then and an advanced nursing assistant, know i'm currrently a LPN working towards my RN.So keep doing what you're doing it will pay off in the long run. GOOD LUCK
    Desilina likes this.
  7. Mar 24, '09 by
    I was a CNA ofr 6 or so years; i skipped the LPN route and just focused on my bsn (working as a CNA throughout). im doing my masters in anesthesia now

    in retrospect i would have done CNA--->ADN--->BSN bridge ---> MSN

    LPN is a waste of time and money IMO if you're planning on shooting for MSN.

    With ADN you earn more and you have more job flexibility while you're in school getting the BSN/MSN. i think most community college programs allow you to take it part time too, although I know you can finish in 16-18 months if you go full time (which is what I would do).

    edit to say that if you have enough saved for a year off you might as well just go for the ADN full time. in the long run it will save you time and money.
    scarcity21 likes this.
  8. Mar 24, '09 by
    The only problem is that ADN programs near me are all impacted. At the community colleges they're wait listed for fall 2010 already and others are doing lottery. I'm hoping to go CNA --> BSN through Samuel Merritt's accelerated program. How do you like anesthesia?? I was looking at Samuel Merritt's CRNA program and started thinkin'.... maybe some day haha
  9. Admin
    Mar 24, '09 by
    I did the NA (before they were certified) to LPN to ADN to BSN to MSN and post-MSN!

    If I had to do it over, I would have gone straight for the BSN and skipped both the LPN and ADN.
  10. Mar 24, '09 by
    Quote from traumaRUs
    I would have gone straight for the BSN and skipped both the LPN and ADN.
    Quote from LilGumble
    The only problem is that ADN programs near me are all impacted. At the community colleges they're wait listed for fall 2010 already and others are doing lottery.
    yeah........i can see that as a problem getting into an adn program. if you did have to do the LPN route, i would do one that would transfer as much as possible into a BSN program (skipping the ADN), and getting as many classes done while you're waiting.


    also......its completely possible to work full time while doing your ADN/BSN. don't let anyone tell you otherwise.