CMA to LVN or straight to RN?

[CMA2013]

As a Certified Medical Assistant, I cannot make up my mind if I should do the LVN program first then bridge to RN, or just go straight to the RN program? I was thinking that if I go to LVN first, I will have a lot of knowledge and nursing experience that will make RN school a little easier. Or what if I did MA to CNA to RN? I am really having a hard time deciding which route to go. On a side note, I am also getting old and don't have too much time to waste. I am anxious to get into Nursing but want to go into it smoothly with experience. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. :)

[MrsBee]

I'm a medical assistant as well. I wanted to do my RN but due to the wait time I decided to do LPN first. Once I'm done I'll work and do a bridge program. Personally I think doing CNA is a waste of time. Invest in what will get you to becoming a nurse the fastest.

[blackvans1234]

Go straight for your BSN, you will have skipped over many things that will have wasted your time. For example; my nursing program (ADN) does not incorporate the pre-req's (anatomy, psych, microbiology etc) And most students take AT MINIMUM, one year to complete (usually 1.5 years which turns to 2 years because the program starts in fall. So you spend this one year taking pre-req's, and then two years of nursing to get an associates degree. If my math is correct, that is 3 years for a 2 yr degree, one more year would have equaled a BSN.

LVN is something you could do if you wanted, however you do not want to be stuck as a LVN in the long run (not bashing LVN's here, but if you want to be an RN, you don't want to be stuck as a LVN). This alone can be extremely difficult. A little research will tell you the struggles of part time / full time workers attending nursing school.

Then you'll probably be working as an LVN, and going to school for your ASN/BSN.

Keep in mind the hoops you must jump through for admission into each program, and which would be best / least stressful.