CNA to LPN to BSN to MSN , Whew!

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Maybe I am making this overly hard and confusing for myself, but I can't seem to find another way to become a BSN RN (and then MSN), since I will need to work to pay existing expenses. I can't go to school full time. Plus all of the associate programs are only full time as well as the bachelor programs. I also can't wait 12 to 20 month, while in LPN school, to earn a paycheck. So I figured I would become a CNA and begin working as soon as possible for experience and cash flow in the process.

Anyone got better ideas? Have you done this?

Why must life always be so hard?? Help :)

Thanks for your reply. To clarify, I left the position due to poor support from the company overall, and various other reasons. I did not leave to focus on school. After coming home depressed on numerous occassions and finding myself crying in the bathroom during lunch breaks, I knew that it was not the place for me. I have been working since I was 17 (almost 27), even while attending college fulltime a few years ago. But I dropped out of school and started working fulltime instead. I've always regretted not getting my degree.

But I understand what you mean about leaving a job. However people should be able to leave a job based upon other factors than passing/failing courses. Life is complicated indeed. :-)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
However people should be able to leave a job based upon other factors than passing/failing courses. Life is complicated indeed. :-)

Absolutely and its jmo that quitting work to focus on school isn't a valid reason not to bring in some income unless you are in danger of flunking out but of course people are able to leave a job based on whatever they feel is a good reason, lol.

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Specializes in none yet, aiming for cnm.

I was a cna for 2 yrs, and am an lpn. Now I am working on prereqs for acclerated asn or bsn program. I am a single mom who lives with my mom(nurse). It hasn,t been easy, but i feel that the experience helped me get into school as well as understand some concepts during school. I earned my cna through my job. Its not common but some places will train you and pay for your certification. It's not an easy job or route to take. But some places will also reimburse you for your education. Also having a healthcare job while in nursing school comes in handy when you have a major test coming up.

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I took the same steps that you are about to do, because i could not work so i worked my way up i was first a CNA, then and an advanced nursing assistant, know i'm currrently a LPN working towards my RN.So keep doing what you're doing it will pay off in the long run. GOOD LUCK

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Specializes in LTC, ICU, ER, Anesthesia.

I was a CNA ofr 6 or so years; i skipped the LPN route and just focused on my bsn (working as a CNA throughout). im doing my masters in anesthesia now

in retrospect i would have done CNA--->ADN--->BSN bridge ---> MSN

LPN is a waste of time and money IMO if you're planning on shooting for MSN.

With ADN you earn more and you have more job flexibility while you're in school getting the BSN/MSN. i think most community college programs allow you to take it part time too, although I know you can finish in 16-18 months if you go full time (which is what I would do).

edit to say that if you have enough saved for a year off you might as well just go for the ADN full time. in the long run it will save you time and money.

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The only problem is that ADN programs near me are all impacted. At the community colleges they're wait listed for fall 2010 already and others are doing lottery. I'm hoping to go CNA --> BSN through Samuel Merritt's accelerated program. How do you like anesthesia?? I was looking at Samuel Merritt's CRNA program and started thinkin'.... maybe some day haha

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I did the NA (before they were certified) to LPN to ADN to BSN to MSN and post-MSN!

If I had to do it over, I would have gone straight for the BSN and skipped both the LPN and ADN.

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Specializes in LTC, ICU, ER, Anesthesia.
I would have gone straight for the BSN and skipped both the LPN and ADN.

The only problem is that ADN programs near me are all impacted. At the community colleges they're wait listed for fall 2010 already and others are doing lottery.

yeah........i can see that as a problem getting into an adn program. if you did have to do the LPN route, i would do one that would transfer as much as possible into a BSN program (skipping the ADN), and getting as many classes done while you're waiting.

also......its completely possible to work full time while doing your ADN/BSN. don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Definitely possible!

Here are some alternatives:

1. Work as a medical transcriptionist while in nursing school. Once you get done with your first clinical, THEN apply to work in the hospital.

2. Work as a unit secretary while in nursing school.

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Thank you for all of these great ideas/options. The local community colleges are all filled up for this year and are currently accepting people for September 2010. Plus they all require that I have completed a list of pre-requisites, which I have not done.

I will also be applying to a CNA training program this week.

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i was a cna ofr 6 or so years; i skipped the lpn route and just focused on my bsn (working as a cna throughout). im doing my masters in anesthesia now

in retrospect i would have done cna--->adn--->bsn bridge ---> msn

lpn is a waste of time and money imo if you're planning on shooting for msn.

with adn you earn more and you have more job flexibility while you're in school getting the bsn/msn. i think most community college programs allow you to take it part time too, although i know you can finish in 16-18 months if you go full time (which is what i would do).

edit to say that if you have enough saved for a year off you might as well just go for the adn full time. in the long run it will save you time and money.

thats my plan of action im in the cna--->adn stage now

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Specializes in Community Health.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet but I am currently in an LPN program and found out that midway through my second mod I will be able to get certified as a CNA! I am not sure if it's the same at other schools or in other states but I am thrilled because I really do need a job and instead of having to take a whole separate course I guess I can just sit for the exam...it makes sense since right now we are acting as glorified CNA assistants in our clinicals! And most LPN programs have a bridge option to RN as well...I'm planning on eventually getting my masters (though I might be switching to Occupational Therapy at that point) and I'm probobly going to go LPN (and CNA in the process)--->Bridge to RN---->BSN---->Masters. I was going to try to get into a straight RN program but they are incredibly hard to get into around here...I'm talking 2 year waiting lists AFTER you have completed all your pre-reqs, it's insane! But I'm taking my pre-reqs now, one class per semester so I don't burn myself out, and by the time I'm done with my LPN program all I will need to do is complete a 6 week online bridge course and I'll be metriculated into the last 2 semesters of an RN program of my choosing! So I'll be getting my RN in a little under 3 years, and I'll be able to work in the field and get that experience under my belt while I'm doing it...

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