CNA first or Classes?

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Hi everyone,

I am new here and looking for some guidance. I am 36 years old, married with a 2.5 year old. I work 40 hours a week as a receptionist in a non-medical setting. I already have a BS in Business.

I want to go to nursing school and actually was already accepted to my local community college. However, I can't afford to go right now. There are no weekend/night programs in my state, so nursing school is a full time thing and I can't quit my job. It's going to be a few years before I can go full time... Maybe once my son is in kindergarten.

My question is, what is the best thing for me to do in the meantime? I have to work full time, but can't afford to quit my job and take the paycut of having a CNA job.

Should I , get my CNA certification or home health aid certification and work per diem for now OR should I start taking some of the general ed classes and prerequisites?

Any help of guidance is appreciated!!!

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, Rose1222:

If you know you can get a job as a CNA (no experience) in your area, then go for the CNA; otherwise, start moving (even if just a class here and there) on the classes.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Postpartum, Mother/Baby, Comm. Health, Geriatric.

I would say to start taking your pre-reqs and get good grades, then you will have the best opportunity at getting into the nursing programs when you are ready. Take your science classes last, because those usually have a 3-5 year limit.

If you could work as a CNA on midnights or weekends only, that would get your foot in the door.

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Start doing the general ed and prerequisite classes at least do 2 per semester (no more though) because believe it or not they take time and dedication, because you will want to have A's in ALL of your classes in order to be accepted into a nursing program.

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If you make a decent amount of money now I wouldn't waste time on a CNA. He's 2.5, so he will start kindergarten in 2.5 years right? That time you should do prereqs and save for school.

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Thanks for the responses so far. Like I mentioned above, I already have been accepted into a program. But yes I agree I will want to take my time getting good grades anyways! Luckily since I already have a BS degree I have many classes done but I still need to take all the science classes and a few others.

My son was born in December so he will be nearly 6 when he starts kindergarten becasue he will miss the cutoff.

Im leaning towards taking classes since by the time I do the CNA certification I could have a class or two done towards my RN.

Also I am not confident I could handle working 40 hours a week (50 if you include my commute), and then work weekends (even just a couple times a month per diem) as a CNA. I would have zero time with my little guy.

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I'm the same age as you, but married with no kids. I'm just starting out also, and I'm going to do my CNA classes and certification this Fall alongside Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2. It's going to be a hard semester but I want to get my CNA certification so I can start getting experience after Christmas, plus A and P 1 and 2 are my hardest pre reqs to do so I am concentrating on just them. I'm working 24-36hrs a week overnights/early morning or evening looking after an infant. So I'll have plenty of daytime hours to study.

Good of luck to you, I hope you find a path that suits you and your family ?

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Specializes in Hospice.

You were accepted into a nursing program before your pre reqs were done? Have you looked into financing it with bank student loans?

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Yes I was accepted into a program. I have some stuff done already becasue I have a BS degree. The anatomy and other classes I could take the first semester but I think they encourage you to do them beforehand so you can focus JUST on nursing once you start full time.

I have been approved for financial aid for school but I really don't want to take out loans for living expenses because that would just be a ton of debt :(

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I would definitely do your prerequisites right now. If you aren't going to work as a CNA then that would be a waste of time. I am similar in age to you (37, with 4 kids) and I finished all my prerequisites, then applied to my program (you need to do all prerequisites before applying to my school's program). I don't start until next September (2015) because of my school's waiting list, so I did the CNA class and am working as a CNA in the meantime. It is not an easy job and very stressful. I think concentrating on your prerequisites right now would be the best decision for you :) Good luck!

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I agree w/ the majority. Take some pre-req's now and get them out of the way. Especially the more difficult science ones. I'm an older student, married w/ kids and went back to school. I did it part time while I took my pre-req's and I'm glad I did. W/ a little guy at home and your full time job, I think a science class like anatomy & physiology will be enough to keep you busy, but doable.

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