Becoming a Nurse: CNA vs LPN

[Lizzly]

I'm excited about finding All Nurse.Com to gain more information about nursing. Since childhood, helping others always has had a big impact in my life.Since a young age, I developed a keen perception for the care of other people, animals and their surroundings. Whether I was helping my mentally ill uncle, rescuing kittens from under a house, or nourishing trees and plants, I had a purpose.Without consciously deciding it, I had already expressed the quirks of being a nurse through out childhood. Becoming a nurse has been on my mind through out my life. After working in several dead end jobs, I am elated about going back to a 2 year college to begin a career in nursing in the fall. My mother-in-law needs my help after her back surgery in May so won't be able to take summer courses. I'm currently hunting for a way to get certified as a health care assistant. I want a job either at a hospital or at a nursing home to gain basic nursing experience but the certified nurse assistant, CNA, program requires 12 months of school.Would working as a CNA help teach me about nursing? The way programs are set up doesn't make sense at all. Sure it's about making money. CNA requires 12 months of school, only making about $9.00 an hour after graduation vs. LPN requires 18 months of school, making $14.00 an hour after graduation. LPN goes to school only 6 more months which isn't much. I want your opinion whether or not going to school for a year to become a CNA is a waste of time. hoping I find a shorter CNA Program like my friend took that lasts only 3 months. Wish me luck! Now You know a little about me and hope I learn more about you.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

This is the first time I've ever heard of a CNA program taking 12 months. Some LPN/LVN programs are 12 months -- my LVN program was -- so it shouldn't take 12 months to learn to be a CNA. You should certainly be able to find another CNA program that are only a few weeks or a semester.

And being a CNA first is a good way to get your feet wet into nursing. The time and cost as a point of entry is far less than starting as an LPN/LVN when your ultimate goal is to be an RN. Also, finding a job as a new CNA into a facility likely to absorb you later down the line as an RN would probably also be easier than finding a job as a new grad LPN.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

CNA programs are not 12 months long in the area where I live. They typically range from a few weeks to a couple of months in length, typically no more than one semester.

The LPN/LVN program that I attended was approximately 12 months. Not only did my time as an LPN ground me with a wonderful foundation, but it also enabled me to earn excellent income while pursuing my RN license. I never earned less than $18 hourly as an LPN, and have earned as much as $27 per hour. If I had to live off typical CNA wages while training to become an RN, I would have had a rough time financially.

[kaydensmom01]

No I would not take a CNA course that lasts 12 months, I have never heard of one that lasts so long. I would do the LPN if you can, but still my whole ADN program which was not accelerated only took 18 months. No I do not think taking a 12 month long CNA program would be worth it.

[pixiestudent2]

Cna classes should never be that long. They are four weeks around here. Please don't waste your time and money.

[MommaTy]

red cross offers programs for CNA/HHA as an 8 week course. Good luck.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

The only CNA programs that I am aware of that lasts months are done at the local vocational school concurrently with the junior or senior year in high school. Since the class only meets for short periods of time and clinical rotations are limited, the CNA program is stretched out over the academic year (approximately 9 months). Most CNA programs are 6 weeks (less if done on a full time basis)

practical/vocational nursing programs range from 10 months to 24 months depending if whether 7-8hrs/day 5 days a week or part time evenings/weekends. A full time, 5 day a week program can be completed in about 10 months.