Any Advice Stuck in A Cross Road

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hey everyone, let me give some background on myself before i start. I am 18 years old, I have a 7 month old son, and I just graduated high school. I am enrolled in a CNA class which I am doing very well in (92%)

Well as I am taking this class, and as we were doing clinicals I noticed that alot of the LPNs were moderately pretty young. The question I have is although I havent started any pre- reqs for nursing school does anyone think it would be a good idea for me to just go and do my pre-reqs for the LPN prgrm at my local community college, and then branch off and go for my adn then bsn, or should i stay in college do my first two years of pre-reqs and then transfer my credits and land myself in a nursing program that will give me a BSN, my family is there for me its just that i like to be self sufficient and do things without much help......any advice....anyone?????

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

As a 38 yr old nursing student, I wish I was your age again. Whatever path you choose, just make sure you obtain an education that makes you happy. Education is something that no one can ever take away from you and something that will always provide stability for you and your son. I give you great kudos for being so young with such responsibility and goals.

As far as LPN or BSN. Seems it is all coming down to time for you. You know you want your BSN eventually and I have no doubt that you will eventually get it. If you have the support of your family and no issues at this point in your life preventing you from going for your BSN (like bills, mortgages, etc) go for it. If you need to work ASAP, go the LPN route. But either way, I admire you for being so young and having your/and son's future in mind. Keep the drive and you'll go far. GOOD LUCK!!!

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I 2nd that advice...with a few additions....

Sure, you are doing ok in CNA class...but the real world is another story. If you can afford it, while doing pre-reqs for whatever you decide to go for, you should work as a CNA to make sure that it is still what you want to do. If you need to make money quickly, LPN to RN bridging is the way to go...however, if you can take the time, I would get either your ADN or BSN...whatever you can get....

Also, if you want exp at working with people at ALL ages/abilities/sicknesses....I would work at a hospital. Older people are ok, but you can burn out on them sometimes....either way, welcome to the field and take your time deciding!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Absolutely! Definitely get started on the gen-eds especially because things like English and Math will be required for whatever degree you would end up working toward. I'm a big fan of getting you LPN first simply because that gives you the opportunity to have a flexible schedule and decent income while you spend those years toiling for your BSN. You young ones amaze me. Kudos and best of luck to you. Jules

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I would go the ADN route. You will be 20 and making a decent salary to support your young family.

Many hospitals will help pay for your further education, so BSN can still be in your future.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

If being an RN is your end-goal, I'd say skip the LPN part.

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Thanks to you all for the advice what i think i will do is take my pre reqs at my Junior college for 2 years (all while working as a CNA) *making sure that my pre-reqs can transfer into nursing programs in illinois,and that they can transfer into an lpn program just to cover all the bases. then when i finished my pre-reqs i will apply to all of the colleges and programs and whatever works out will work out if i get accepted into a nursing program at a univerisity than i will go for bsn, if i dont get accepted anywhere then i will take my lpn classes at my junior college then transfer out to an bsn program

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
Absolutely! Definitely get started on the gen-eds especially because things like English and Math will be required for whatever degree you would end up working toward. I'm a big fan of getting you LPN first simply because that gives you the opportunity to have a flexible schedule and decent income while you spend those years toiling for your BSN. You young ones amaze me. Kudos and best of luck to you. Jules

:up::up::up::up::up: I agree whole-heartedly! :up::up::up::up::up:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

Try to land a CNA job with a hospital, you might be able to get financial aid for pre-req's and for your nursing program, if your local college offers both LPN & ADN programs then try to get the pre-req's for both done and apply for both, if you get into either one it's a great start, I was lucky and got into an ADN program 1st try, we graduated last night and I was able to complete all but 2 gen ed courses towards my BSN so now in January I will take both those classes and be able to apply to USF for their BSN program which is 90% online and have that completed in 5 to 6 semesters depending on how heavy a load I take. My ultimate end goal is a MSN with post graduate teaching certificate so I can be a NP and part time instructor but ADN gave me the ground work, Good Luck!!

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I was going to say...if you don't get into a BSN program, try the ADN....seems silly to go for LPN if you can graduate in 2 years with a degree that lets you get your RN....many CCs have nursing programs that let you graduate with a ADN.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

If your family is there and supportive, don't monkey around. Get your BSN. The problem with doing it in increments is that once you start to get a taste of the money and get out on your own it gets very hard to get back into the routine of going back to school. And, there's also the issue of wanting to raise a family as you get older. You will probably meet someone, your son will get older and you won't want to be in school yourself. Get all your schooling done and over with now.

Don't let your age work against you. I was young when I went to nursing school also. It doesn't mean a thing except you are young. I think that older people who make negative comments about young people in nursing are subconsciously beating up on themselves for not having gone to school at an earlier age--they just can't admit their mistake. By the time you get to my age you will have so much experience that you are an invaluable asset to any employer and never have a problem getting jobs! Not to mention the great pay and the home you will be able to buy and probably have paid off by the time you are ready to retire.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I figured that since she is a Mom she will need to work which is why I suggested the LPN route first. In my area new grad LPNs make between $22-$28 an hour and that sure beats any CNA position I've ever heard of if someone needs to work. It always surprises me that people are so quick to blow off the LPN option when in fact a person could earn over $70,000 working only 20 hours a week in the three extra years as they finish the BSN program. That buys a lot of diapers, imo.

;)

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