2 BIG exciting things happening at once! What to do?!

[PrettyNerd, CNA, LPN, LVN]

OMG everyone! It is so unbelievably crazy how 2 great things that I've been waiting for literally YEARS to happen, is finally happening at once!

First, 2 years ago I applied at a Hospital for a CNA position, sadly, I didn't get the position. I got on the waiting list again and waited. August of last year I received an email saying I meet the minimum qualifications and I should receive another email if I am selected for an interview. I waited and waited and finally last month I got the interview. I was excited but the last time I applied, I got the interview and not the job so I was still nervous. I went into the interview feeling a lot more confident and at the end, one of the nurses said it was a great interview. By the end of the week, I got an email saying congratulations, I have been selected to move forward in the hiring process and they asked for references (this is a good thing because basically means I got the job). I got my references in and now I'm just waiting for background check and hired at this hospital as a CNA that I've been wanting to get in for 2 years!

Second, about 2 years ago I applied for the RN program at the CC I attend and unfortunately didn't get accepted. I got accepted into another CC with a waiting list of approx 5 years and I do NOT plan on waiting that long. I decided to do LVN first and so I enrolled in a few classes I needed in order to apply for the program. Last month, I finally submitted my application and guess what? Just received an email saying congratulations, I have been conditionally accepted into the LVN program and I should received a written confirmation soon (I assume that is the acceptance letter that goes out next week).

Aaaaaah!!! I literally started shaking when I read that, I was in shock, I couldn't believe it. I had been waiting for this for so long. I almost gave up, at times I started to lose faith, I didn't feel confident. Nothing was happening and I just thought I was never going to accomplish anything. Now, I got these 2 opportunities at the same time. I put in my nursing application in February, I got the email for a CNA interview on February. Got the interview this month, got the LVN email today. The nurse said I should know if I'm hired in about 3 weeks, the acceptance letter goes out around the same time! Aaaaah!!!

The BIG thing I'm a little worried about is doing both at the same time. I've always said I was NOT going to work if I get into the nursing program because I want to have all the time to study, do homework and only concentrate on doing well in school. During the CNA interview, I let the nurses know that I applied for LVN program and was waiting on that. She said they support and encourage continuing education and they want us to further our career as nurses and a lot of the nurses there started off working there as CNAs. She said if I get in, they will work with my schedule so that I am able to go to school. So now I am wondering if I should do both? I'm just scared because I know NS is a lot of work and I want to do well and get A's and have all the time for school. I know that if it ever becomes too much for me to handle, then I will quit the job and focus on school because that is #1 for me.

Advice, tips, words of wisdom, encouraging words, experiences.....anything lol. Aaaaah, I feel like I'm dreaming. What to do?

[theRNJedi]

Accept both opportunities if they come to you. Work hard to manage both school and work life (people do it all the time; nothing unusual...you can do it with discipline and dedication!). If something needs to give, then go part time/prn/resign from your job; nursing school should be your priority.

-theRNJedi

[nlitened]

Congrats! Accept both. Working as a CNA will give you an advantage in nursing school. But just as PP stated, school comes first. I hope the facility who is looking to hire you really does work with your school schedule. Good Luck!