CNA to LPN/LVN?

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Hi, I'm new to this site. I'm currently trying to get a grant to get into a community college to get my CNA cert. I'm not sure I'll get the grant, and the CNA program alone is not Financial Aid qualified because of length of training and the cost. So if I don't get the grant, I'm thinking about taking an LPN/LVN course because it is financial aid qualified. I'm considering doing this because I understand that at the beginning of the LPN/LVN course you actually take nurse aide classes. So correct me if I'm wrong, but wont I be able to go take a test to become a CNA and go work as a CNA while I'm still in school for LPN/LVN? I need to get into the workforce quickly, but am actually interested in more schooling than just CNA. Does anyone have any ideas for me? I know this is the field I want, and think also that I will pursue an RN degree. Please help!

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

may depend on the laws of your state. In Texas the CNA's are certified thru the health department. They have paperwork that can be completed by a nursing student after completing part of nursing school that would allow the student to get certified as nurses assistant. I recommend you contact the agency that is responsible for handing out the certificates - like the health dept. If you do not know who that is, contact human resources in a hospital or contact the director of the CNA program in your college. Good luck with your goals!!!

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Specializes in pandemic, public health, disasters.

In Florida, it is not required to have a formal education as a CNA to challenge the state licensing exam. However, I would say it's strongly recommended to take some CNA training before challenging the exam. Just personally, I would think after a few months of the LPN program you could have enough training to challenge the exam IF your state allows that. Like classicdame said, check with your state first. And good luck :)

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What do you mean by "challenge the exam?"

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

It's probably best to check with your State's Board of Nursing (or whoever regulates CNAs if it's not the BON). In Maryland, the nursing programs generally have a "Fundamentals of Nursing" class in the first semester, which covers all the CNA stuff, so nursing students can apply to become CNAs after successfully completing the first semester.

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Specializes in LTC.

As everyone else said it depends on your state.

The LPN program I went to offered the CNA test after completion of the fundamentals. I took it and I failed because I left out a part of upper range of motion.

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I'm in Colorado, if anyone knows what the answer is to that. To the poster that said she failed the test, did you fail because the fundamentals weren't enough training?

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Specializes in LTC.
I'm in Colorado, if anyone knows what the answer is to that. To the poster that said she failed the test, did you fail because the fundamentals weren't enough training?

I felt well prepared for the written test. The skills portion of the test not many people passed. We had very short clinicals and in fundamentals we focused on assessments and vitals. Not skills that the CNA would do. Go to your states website and search for the CNA certification. There should be a list of skills that the examiner might ask you to perform.

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Go for the LPN Program. You should be eligible to take the CNA after the first 2 months or so. As long as you are doing well in class and pay attention in lab practice you should do fine for the CNA test. There's a written portion and a clinical portion. Check with the school and all this info should be available to you.

If caring for people is something you really want to do, go for it! Strive to do your best. We really need quality health care people every where!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, MR/DD, Clinic.

IMHO, the best way to get a CNA course is to apply to a local nursing home. More than likely, they will pay for your course then you can work part time while attending LPN school. Working as a CNA prior to taking nursing courses can be a huge advantage, at least from my past experience. This is how I did it and I was leaps ahead of some of my fellow classmates who had not had the prior experience.

Most LTC facilities are always looking for help and can be flexiable to work while you are attending you PN program. Best of luck to you, you can do this and it is very well worth it in the end :)

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

Can you get into PN school right away? Have you checked out different CNA programs? The cost varies greatly, from about $ 300 to $ 700 in my state, as does the lenght of the course. My suggestion is to do more research.

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Specializes in MR/DD.

I am in Ohio, my LPN school required you to be an STNA before beginning school, other schools do not

I also know that our state board will allow anyone to take the STNA test if they have passed the patient care course at the beginning of the LPN course

Each school here is different because not all of them require STNA certification first

as many others have said contact your board of nursing

and look into as many schools as possible before deciding on one

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