cna to lpn to rn? or cna to rn?

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

Just to clarify, we are not in the medical field either; we are in the nursing profession. :yes:

What to do depends a lot on your own unique situation. I personally went straight for the RN. In the area where I lived at the time, LPNs were not paid much more than CNAs were, but SO much more responsibility. For one more year of time in school, I got my RN. I took the CNA class in high school because it was a course offering my school had. Some don't work as CNAs at all; all of the CNA skills are taught in the first nursing classes--but with more focus on WHY we were doing things, rather than the mechanics of the skills taught in the CNA class. I did think it helped me know more of what to expect from my years helping the RNs/LPNs, and it helped me learn to be efficient with a group of patients.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Sep 17, 2014

If you have the resources I recommend going straight for the RN license.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

I did CNA to LPN to RN. I have no regrets. The CNA will give you a glimpse of what nursing is and you can decide how you want to proceed from there.

mf1211 · Sep 18, 2014

Regardless of which path you choose, I think becoming a CNA is a great idea before you decide to pursue nursing any further. As a rule of thumb, if you enjoy being a CNA you will most likely enjoy being an RN, since RN's do all that CNA's do and more.

firstinfamily, RN · Sep 18, 2014

I went straight for the RN program when I started nursing school. I had never volunteered or worked as a CNA. I believe the CNA's learn a lot of the hands-on-care that is needed and I think any RN should be able to place a bedpan under a patient. There are some who come out of nursing school and still do not know how to do this. When I was in nursing school after completing my first year there was an option to sit for my LPN license or continue the RN program. I chose to continue the RN program basically because I wanted to get the most for my education and I knew RNs were usually able to do more than LPNs. I feel anyone who starts out as a CNA and goes to an RN program will be on the right path. Nothing against LPNs I just think they should go for the top level in nursing and many LPNs end up going back for their RN. So, if you can afford it go for the RN.

yayita · Sep 18, 2014

Excellent!! Thank you for the information. Now I feel a little bit more secure to know what I want.

At first I was sooo confused and worried because because I didn't know where to start. Or what to do with my life,.

I'm going to apply for a part-time cna jobs at the hospital and gain the experience while I'm in nursing school... I'm still nervous about making this big decision in my life. I just hope I go through all the exams/prerequisite/ clinicals/ nyclex/ect.

OnlyDreaming · Sep 19, 2014

If you get ur CNA you can get a job while working on ur RN and have your foot in the door :)

MidLifeChg2Nursing · Sep 19, 2014

Depends on the situation. In general, go straight for the RN while working as a CNA. Be forwarned, CNA is very physically demanding; and, while RNs CAN do the things CNAs can do, they generally do not, leaving that to the CNAs.

With that said, don't let your CNA experience (should you choose that route) deter you from pursuing RN. A lot of people get disillusioned from nursing after working as a CNA because of the very physical demands - do to the high amount of lifting a large number of patients, and seeing first hand the negative impact of high CNA to patient ratios (particularly in Long Term Care Facilities - LTCF). Don't let this deter you because as I said, although RNs CAN do the things CNA do, they generally do not because they have their hands full doing other things.

My situation, I was intending to go directly to RN, but I am one class short of having all pre-requisites done by the Feb 1, 2015 application deadline. Instead of waiting one year to apply and possibly get wait-listed pushing back the time I may get in, I think it better to spend that year in the LPN program (no wait list where I am), then to apply to the LPN to RN bridge; that way I can work as an LPN (at the LTCF I am presently a CNA) while getting my RN, which would take only one more year.

yayita · Sep 19, 2014

Wow!! So, To be a CNA you have to be fast huh?