CNA or LPN?? Help please..

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Hello All,

I am new to this and needed some advice.. I am currently attending TCC working on pre req's. My goal is to become an RN (down the road) and likely attend TCC's nursing program. My question to you is, should I get my LPN license so I can begin working in my field, or obtain my CNA (for the same reason)? From what I have read on this forum, if a person is working towards an RN license already, it would be best to just get the CNA...

Please let me know your thoughts, opinions, and ideas on this matter. Also, if you could include any recommendations for schools or programs to obtain the CNA or LPN license with you I greatly appreciate your time!!! :)

Best Regards,

Brooke

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Specializes in CNA.

Well a CNA would be quicker..And you are in Tulsa..right? I have no clue about the schools up there. I am also in a Community College in El Reno doing my pre-reqs for RN. They say it helps getting a CNA because once your doing that while your in school it helps you get use to being on the floor and taking care of people. But it is not a requirement here.

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Yes located in Tulsa.. A side note, I do not want to limit myself (too much) as far as job duties are concerned with whichever route I choose. (I'm aware the CNA's end up in nursing homes alot of the time changing bed pans and such. I want to have more options for where I could work and the job duties involved.) Someone mentioned a Registered MA would be another good option for a "pre RN" job. Anyone familiar with this certification?

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Specializes in CNA.

Is that a Medical Assistant? Yeah I understand about the CNA part..I would want to work in a hospital..I have worked in nursing homes and I think I would like it better in a hospital. Well sorry I am not much help..I would definitely like to hear what others say about your post.

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I am also attending TCC for my RN. I'm currently enrolled in TCC's CNA class. This one is not the traditional CNA course. This is the blended course, which allows you to do your bookwork from home and you have labs 1 day a week for 5 hours for the first 6 weeks and then the last 3 weeks you have clinicals 2 days a week all day. The traditional is harder to get into because they fill up so fast because they are based on a first come first serve basis, so you might go the direction of the blended course like I am.

As far as getting your LPN, Tulsa Tech requires you to have your CNA license and the 5 basic pre-reqs completed before you can even apply for the program and the same goes for TCC you have to have the CNA before you can apply.

Another option you may want to look into is the PCT program at TCC. They are in the middle of a CNA and an LPN which could get you a great gig down in the ER. Again, this is a class that fills up pretty quickly and I'm not sure if they if they base this program on GPA like they do the RN program.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do. I've done my research on most all RN schools and can pretty much lay it all out for you on what you need. Best of luck!

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I just looked on Tulsa Tech's website and I didn't see anywhere where they are still requesting the 5 pre-reqs for entry. Maybe they did away with this, I would call and verify with them that these have been removed from the criteria, but the CNa was still there and from the looks of it, they now allow you to take it there 6-8 weeks prior to starting the class.

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Victory2013~ Thank you so much for the reply. Great information to have.. I've been trying to research my options as much as possible, but didn't know all the things that you had mentioned above. Hadn't even considered PCT as an option, so maybe I will look more into that.

Do you know of any pre-req for the PCT program? I'm literally still working on some of my Gen. Ed. Requirements, which stinks. But I also have a few extra Science credit classes such as, Nutrition and Developmental Psyc. I'm taking Chem I and the required computer class (for any major I believe) this Fall. Hopefully by next Summer or Fall I can enroll in a PCT or CNA class. >> Sounds like the CNA is pretty much a requirement to do anything further in our major..? I also need to complete Human Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Medical Terminology. Do you know if that is required to take as a seperate class or blended? (Ana & Phys)

Thanks a million for your time and guidence!!

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The only thing you need for for the PCT program is a 2.0 GPA. At TCC the Ana and Phys can be blended, but if you decided to transfer to OU, Langston, Rogers, TU, ORU they require it to be seperate. I'm taking them seperate because I plan to apply to as many nursing schools as I can. I won't be done with my gen eds until next spring and that's taking 9 hours during the summer semesters--ICK!

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