Climbing the ladder to Nursing

Nurses Career Support

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I am on Fire.

I have never once thought of becoming a nurse. I can't explain why I've decided to all of a sudden. I'm a 36 year old Flight Attendant, mother of one rambunctious 3 year old, and married to her wonderful Daddy.

Can I do this? It feels right to think about this. I can't seem to get enough information on the idea of becoming a nurse.

I seem to be eating, drinking, sleeping Nursing School ambitions. And I want to do this right. I want to take the most effective route to my new career without wasting too much time or burning out from this 'high.'

Do I just take pre-reqs first or do I become a CNA or Medical Assistant to start getting valuble experience? Does it matter if I take the time to get my LPN first? Do I go straight to a private college that allows me to do Pre-reqs at the same time? Do I take care of all my sciences before applying? Should I get a job at a Medical Facility doing Admin stuff so I can be exposed to a possible Nursing program that allows Tuition Reimbursement? Should I buy every nursing book out there to get a head start on Tests?

To all you nurses out there: If you could go back in time what would you do differently or keep the same?

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Hi ksincali,

While I admire your enthusiasm, I have to ask.....have you researched this career change enough before starting the arduous task of becoming a nurse?

Have you shadowed a nurse yet? If not, I highly recommend you do so. You stated that you never once thought about it and suddenly you've decided that this is what you want to do. Please be sure that you know what you'll be getting yourself into. I'd hate to see another new person with that deer in the headlights look after her first month and be burned out by the sixth month.

Perhaps you'll love it, or maybe you'll decide it's not for you ~ but make sure it's an informed decision.

Since you asked, personally, if I could go back in time and do it all over again, I wouldn't have.

Best of luck to you on your decision and journey!

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I had that same overwhelming feeling as you described except i had always thought about being a nurse but didn't think I was smart enough. I think you should shadow a nurse to see what it can involve. I went from: CNA -to cosmetologist -to stay at home mom- to nurse. I don't regret my decision at all. (but then again, what do I know yet, I'm still a new nurse). I'm loving my job, hours, co-workers, and pay! The pt's are kinda fun too :D

Welcome to allnurses and nursing!

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Hi there, I am not a nurse yet, but I am on my way. I started out as a CNA. I've worked in LTC and now I work in home health. I think I made a good decision doing it this way, because I kind of know what to expect now and my company does tuition reimbursement. Starting out this way allowed me to see what it's really like in the two different settings (just fyi I almost gave up on nursing after working in LTC but I love home health!!!) but I do think you should try to expose yourself to healthcare somehow before you go through everything to become a nurse. I am starting my pre-reqs and applying for nursing school next month and alot goes into it...so if you really feel like this is what you're meant to do then wonderful, but the above posts are right, alot of new nurses are stunned and quit after a few months.

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Hi there, I am not a nurse yet, but I am on my way. I started out as a CNA. I've worked in LTC and now I work in home health. I think I made a good decision doing it this way, because I kind of know what to expect now and my company does tuition reimbursement. Starting out this way allowed me to see what it's really like in the two different settings (just fyi I almost gave up on nursing after working in LTC but I love home health!!!) but I do think you should try to expose yourself to healthcare somehow before you go through everything to become a nurse. I am starting my pre-reqs and applying for nursing school next month and alot goes into it...so if you really feel like this is what you're meant to do then wonderful, but the above posts are right, alot of new nurses are stunned and quit after a few months.

Thankyou so much for your perspective. I do believe I need to do this shadowing thing to make certain of the time & money I plan to invest in my endeavor.

I am interested in the CNA program now. Is it possible to get certified as nursing assistant and do 1 or 2 days a week? Or is it better to become a medical assistant instead?

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Thankyou so much for your perspective. I do believe I need to do this shadowing thing to make certain of the time & money I plan to invest in my endeavor.

I am interested in the CNA program now. Is it possible to get certified as nursing assistant and do 1 or 2 days a week? Or is it better to become a medical assistant instead?

Hm...well I don't know about the programs in your area, but here in Missouri, Medical Assistant programs are pretty pricey and take about 1-2 years, but at the Comm College the CNA program is shorter and cheaper. If you do the Med Assist. you could do that for a long time and probably be happy with it as a career, whereas I really don't think you want to stay as a CNA forever, but if you get on at a good facility they may be more willing to work with you on your schedule (to work 1-2 days a week you'd probably end up working long shifts on weekends) and if you do home health you can pretty much work when you want (again depending on the company).

So if I were you, I would actually go to your local CC and try to talk to a career advisor or counselor and they may be able to assess your situation better than me :)) btw-I know that with all the changes in healthcare they don't do alot of shadowing anymore, but have you called your local hospital and asked about shadowing?

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Specializes in PICU, Gen ICU.

OP,

I agree when others suggest that you shadow - just to get some initial exposure. If MA school takes 1-2 years - I would suggest getting your CNA license and then a PT or PRN job, possibly in a local hospital. This will give you exposure, experience, and opportunities.

Contact your local community colleges and inquire about an Associates in Nursing program (2-yr degree). While you wait to start clinicals (most have waiting lists) (qualify by testing if you can), you can work on general ed classes and sciences/labs. These alone are a big commitment of your time. You want to have everything done by the time you start clinicals - they are an even BIGGER committment of your time. But remember, each class broadens your knowledge and experience.

Then, later, you can apply to a 4-yr university to get your last year in an RN-to-BSN program. Education for nurses never ends!

Best wishes!

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OP,

I agree when others suggest that you shadow - just to get some initial exposure. If MA school takes 1-2 years - I would suggest getting your CNA license and then a PT or PRN job, possibly in a local hospital. This will give you exposure, experience, and opportunities.

Contact your local community colleges and inquire about an Associates in Nursing program (2-yr degree). While you wait to start clinicals (most have waiting lists) (qualify by testing if you can), you can work on general ed classes and sciences/labs. These alone are a big commitment of your time. You want to have everything done by the time you start clinicals - they are an even BIGGER committment of your time. But remember, each class broadens your knowledge and experience.

Then, later, you can apply to a 4-yr university to get your last year in an RN-to-BSN program. Education for nurses never ends!

Best wishes!

Thanks so much for this. Sooooo Helpful! I will definitely consider this route.

Is that how you did it?

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

It may be better and cheaper to become a CNA rather than a Medical Assistant, because the MAs are limited to the doctor's office, and most that I know are not able to work per diem, because they are not certified to work in a nursing home or hospital. I have been an MA, and I can say that the training is more than it would be for a CNA, but depending on where you work, most skills learned as an MA may not be utilized. Also, most doctor's offices do not have medical benefits, work during prime time; meaning Monday-Saturday, mostly day hours, when most nursing programs are running. You will not learn most of the bedside care needed for nursing, either.

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It may be better and cheaper to become a CNA rather than a Medical Assistant, because the MAs are limited to the doctor's office, and most that I know are not able to work per diem, because they are not certified to work in a nursing home or hospital. I have been an MA, and I can say that the training is more than it would be for a CNA, but depending on where you work, most skills learned as an MA may not be utilized. Also, most doctor's offices do not have medical benefits, work during prime time; meaning Monday-Saturday, mostly day hours, when most nursing programs are running. You will not learn most of the bedside care needed for nursing, either.

You are always ever so helpful with my questions and concern. I am seriously thinking of getting CNA certified! But I won't quit my day job as a flight attendant just yet :rolleyes:

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