Basics

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Jan 29, 2016

It was only a three week course but I had to pass the state exam and each year I have to keep it active by working as a CNA. I've seen a lot of people say that CNA is not a license, but license just means "permit to do something." i.e., you have a driver's license; no one questions a driver's license as being a license, but maybe because it explicitly has 'license' in the title. You can't work as a CNA if you didn't pass the state exam but you can still work as a nurse aide.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Jan 29, 2016

Okay so I have to get my RN before I can get anything else. But do I have to get my CNA before i am qualified to get my RN. How do I go about getting my RN?

It depends on what program you're applying to. One of my future program's only requirements is to have a CNA. Have you researched where you plan on applying?

Zyprexa_Ho · Jan 30, 2016

If a CNA license is required, it is required by the program, not the state. There are programs out there that require a previous CNA license and there are programs that don't require it. Research local programs near you.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2016

Okay so I have to get my RN before I can get anything else. But do I have to get my CNA before i am qualified to get my RN. How do I go about getting my RN?

RN is a license. You can only obtain the license by passing the NCLEX, which is an exam. And you can only take the NCLEX if you graduate from an accredited nursing program, whether it's a 2-year (Associate's) or 4-year (Bachelor's) program.

Farawyn · Jan 30, 2016

I have a CNA license Yes, they do exist.

Now I want m&ms.

Cactus Nurse · Jan 31, 2016

I suggest looking at a school near you about NP programs and work down from there. See what NP programs require.

I say get your RN versus an LVN or LPN. It will be a longer route and more money (just in case you think that's a faster way because it won't be)

so so you first get RN. You will pre requisites before you can apply to the program however. These are usually- chemistry, anatomy, physiology, biology, microbiology, psychology, and speech. It varies a little bit from schools, but out in LA those were the main ones and some schools added some other classes into it.

So while you are doing your sciences then you can look where you want to get your RN and eventually go for your NP.

Research a lot so you hopefully make the best decision the first time around. Not having to bounce around schools or lose time because you need to take an extra class.

beingthankful · Feb 8, 2016

What steps do you need "to make it to the top"? Short answer: Research. Plan to spend a LOT of time researching. It's great that your goal is to be a NP, but respectfully, from the tone of your questions, do you really (I mean REALLY), even understand what it entails to be a NP?

There are quite a few years between you & the end result. 1st thing 1st... research the schools in your area, see what the program requirements are. That will give you your starting point. Then chug along from there.

Nursing school is different. You have to satisfy a set of requirements JUST to apply to nursing school. If you chose to obtain a BSN, then you don't need a RN-BSN bridge. If you obtain an ADN you will need one. But 1st thing 1st.... where are the programs in your area. Which work best for you?

Good luck to you!

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Feb 8, 2016

I'm wanting to start an online nursing school. Although I've been wondering if you have to have your CNA licence to become an RN. I keep seeing become an RN to BSN but I don't even have a CNA at the moment. I work in a residential living facility so I don't have to be licensed, though I do all the same work a licenced employee would do. I'm just curious what steps I would have to take to make it to the top. My goal is to become an NP.

My advice to you is to research your final goal, and work backwards from there.

FNP ~ do you want a DNP FNP, or a MSN FNP?

What are the required pre-requisites for the FNP?

ADN/BSN/MSN ~ which trajectory fulfills the most pre-requisites for the FNP?

No matter what your end result, you'll thank your future self for not putting yourself in a predicament where you will be repeating classes.

Personally, I did not find it to be a huge help to be a CNA before going in to nursing. Others may disagree.

Some FNP's will tell you that the NP education builds upon the nursing model, with the addition of having the medical model component of diagnostics and exams.

In the end, you really need to work out what best fits you. Continue to ask questions. Interview some people who are doing what you want to do.

The more you know, the better prepared you can be.