Apply for CNA or go to LPN school?

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Hi! I am new to this and am looking for some advice. I am a single mom and I get no child support so it is a must that I work FT while I go to school to become an LPN. I was thinking of getting my CNA certificate now and then going to school for my LPN. At my current job, I make a little over $17/hr (Mortgage industry) and I know CNA's don't make that much but I am willing to take a small pay cut. I read on here that CNA's can make up to $15/hr for working weekend shifts. I can deal with this by cutting things out in my budget. Do you think I should do this? I also read that CNA experience helps with school. I need all the help I can get. I don't mind the vomit, blood, urine, etc. I've seen it all, done it all. I am just concerned with the money because I have a mortgage and all the other bills that come with it. Thanks in advance!

Absolutely=]..us nurses have to stick together ...lol... :dncgcpd:

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My problem is the only school where I live that offers a CNA Program that I can afford is my Community College and they are not 100% sure if they are going to offer the CNA Program in intersession. I am ready to cry right now:bluecry1::crying2:!!!! I just called another school & they want $1799 and I cannot afford that!!!!:banghead:!!!!

just keep in mind that there are other programs to start with too, not just CNA's. There are surgical techs for example. They make about the same amt of $$ and its something to get your foot in the door with.

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Best wishes ...my nana used to tellme .. "where theres a will..theres a way"...She a wise woman=]. k.i.t

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Watch out for Home Health. Around here, Admin, bookeeping, Managers, etc... in a HHA are all CNA's(?) and one RNA usually. You don't need a CNA and I was trained and ready to start as a HHA with badge and all. And then the $13 starting offer to go to $18 turned into a $11/hr period. Now they would pay up to $30 something for one hour, which they had my first schedule for. After the $2/hr last minute drop, I just knew there was a 400 lb bedridden man with no handling aids waiting for me, that would take about 4 to 5 hours to wash all of his bed sores.

Plus you have to spend time finding out where each job is sometimes, and drop the daily time sheet off by the office. With gas costs these days, its not looking so good. PLUS if you get CNA for HHA, you can never have a dissatisfied customer. In their own house? Sounds like a waste of time.

But I'm going to look at it, since they are the best paying: BUT NOT THAT COMPANY I WENT TO BEFORE! CNA is not an easy job. If it were, they would not be the only thing availabe every day of the week in the news papers.

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just keep in mind that there are other programs to start with too, not just CNA's. There are surgical techs for example. They make about the same amt of $$ and its something to get your foot in the door with.

Oh I had no idea!!! Thanks that is another way to go. I just applied for ER Registration position at a hospital where I live!!!! I hope I get it!!!! wish me luck!!!!

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Good luck!!! If you need more choices, just type what you can think of in google. You would be amazed at how pops up that you would have never thought of before!

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thank you for the advice. I am sure to learn all the positives and negatives about the health industry but in the meantime, I can't to start finding out!

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OK. Here's the deal. The CNA program is about 6 weeks. The LPN program can be either 1 yr or 2. Now during that time that your learning to become an LPN, you'll also be learning the work of a CNA. In which once you've learned the basic skills of caring for a patient, you can then take the test to become a CNA. All while still achieving to become an LPN. My suggestion, is to continue working, & go to school (if u can) for your LPN. Trust me. I paid $600 for the CNA class. Now I'm in school for my LPN learning the same stuff I did 2 yrs ago plus some.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I too am a single mom without any support, I am working as an ER tech. What I would look at is are you able to get directly into the LPN program, because if you could I would go straight to the LPN, it would be one hard year, but it would only be a year. I would also look into after the first semester of LPN, could you test for your CNA?

Like everyone else has stated before depending on what area of the country and LTC/ HH/ hospitals, detirmines the pay for a CNA. For example, I was a CNA in a LTC made about $9 and hour, I got hired on at a hospital for $13. If I was to work as registry/on call, then I would be at $15. Because of my kids and daycare I like having a set schedule.

You may also look into if you could work as a NA while you are in school, when I worked in the LTC, there were two girls (twins) who were working as NA while they were taking the CNA course. They said as long as they were in school for a nursing program CNA, LPN, or RN, the state would let them work as NA without being certified for I think up to 3 months, so that could be an option untill you had progressed far enought in the LPN program, but that all does depend on your states BON.

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:stdnrsrck: stopping by to say hello =]

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thank you so much for all of that! I have a friend at my reg job who is going to school full-time for her LPN while working almost 35 hrs a week. She has a husband at home and 2 kids and she said it's a struggle but is getting through. She graduates in Dec. If I keep my reg job during the week, I cannot find an LPN program around that I can take right now. The first night classes do not start at Erwin Tec in Tampa until Aug 2010! I am going to see if HCC has an LPN class. I am anxious to start now. I just won't be able to work FT, go to school for an LPN and do CNA work and I do want the experience of all. I think I will start with CNA on weekends to get a little experience if an LPN isn't available for a while. I am still looking around before I make my final decision.

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I am taking CNA weekends only classes.Im hoping to get in at traviss votech LPN 2009 program ,its in lakeland Fl.And after getting the CNA I hope to work in the field for income . Let me know your thoughts=] .

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