From animals to people (another newbie)

[Satori77, ADN]

This will be my first post, but I have been lurking for almost a week now. There is a lot of great information on this site!! Anyway, a little background on me. I am working as a CVT (certified veterinary technician) for about 10 years now. I actually got into this field by accident. I love animals and someone told me about a tech school. I think I have stayed doing this so long because I love the medicine. It is fascinating. When I first started working it was for a small clinic, and within a year I was bored. I am now working at a huge emergency/specialty hospital and I love it. While nowhere near human medicine, it is very innovative and constantly changing....we do things here that they haven't don't anywhere else in the country. But I admit I am getting burned out and need a change.

I never once considered nursing, even though my mother is a nurse (has been for about 20 years). I just wasn't interested until the last few years, and I started seriously looking into it. Though I do enjoy what I do, I have hit a wall. After this long, I only make $12 an hour. And that won't get much higher for me. I know I am worth more, and though I don't expect (or want) to get rich, I have a family and money is important. I want nice things for my kids, and not have to worry about paying bills monthly. Plus, if heaven forbid something were to happen to my husband, I want to know I can take care of them myself. Plus, there is not much room for advancement or growth in the veterinary field. There isn't much specialization. I just feel blocked I guess. I want more of a challenge, and I think nursing would be a great fit. I have looked into many healthcare professions ( I can't see myself doing something not health related) and I keep going back to nursing. I love the flexibility and being able to find your niche. I didn't even realize that there were so many specializations!! Right now, and I know it could change once I start school, I am interested in forensic nursing, ED/trauma, surgery, and psych. I do mostly emergency work where I am and love the fast pace and excitement, plus seeing everything from d-con poisoning, GDV (gastric dilitation volvulus, which is fatal if not caught and sent to surgery asap), dog-fights, serious illness, gunshot wounds, etc. Some areas I know I wouldn't be interested in are peds, geriatric, and L&D.

Now that I know I want to do this, I am unsure where to start though. I started looking into nursing schools, and we have a lot in my area. But the wait is like 2-3 years, AT LEAST. Plus I need prereq's, which could take a year or two depending on if I only go part time (I have two little kids and not a lot of money). It is all pretty discouraging. I am wondering if I should go for my CNA first. That should only take 2 or 3 months (including clinicals). Then I can work towards my RN, getting prereq's out of the way and applying for nursing school. And if I do that, won't most places at least help pay for your school, if you work for them for awhile?? And if so, do they expect you to sign a contract saying you will stay on as a nurse for x number or years? I just think that might be easier. That way I can get some experience and help pay for school, since I don't know how we will afford it otherwise (I don't want massive loans). How did everyone else do it? I just don't want to give up too soon and want to feel like I am actually doing something to try to get my degree instead of sitting around waiting for my number to be up to get into school. Thanks in advance for any replies (or for just reading)

Nicole