CNA to LPN to RN

[worrywart75]

I am 36 years old, married with 3 children. I work full-time M-5 8 to 5. My husband was laid off from his job so aside from unemployment, my wages are our main income. I really really really want to go to nursing school but it seems as if there is always an obstacle in the way. I want to go to Ivy Tech in Indianapolis because I have heard good things about the school and also for financial reasons. The problem seems to be there are no night schools for nursing programs. I have looked into being a CNA thinking that maybe I could get hired on at a nursing home that would work with me on scheduling around classes. I called many places on the NAT website, and was told that most places only provide training for their employees, or that the classes are during the day, which I cant do because I have to work. I am becoming very discouraged and feel like giving up already, but then I start thinking how tired I am of living paycheck to paycheck and having 0 savings at the age of 36. I just dont know what to do! I spend hours on the computer every nigtht trying to think of a way to make it work. I cant really afford to take out student loans due to overwhelming debt and I was approved for a Pell Grant. The obstacle of having a fulltime not completely flexible job is really stopping me from my dreams. Does anyone have any advice whatsoever? Help! I want to get ahead while I am still somewhat young.

[mikeicurn, ASN, RN]

I will just back up what many have already said, most of the community colleges offer night programs around here (Kentucky)for CNA training. My local college also has a nights and weekends LPN program. I am 44 and just finished my first year and can test for LPN, but I will be going back for my RN next year. I struggled as you did for more than a decade before I could work everything out to go to school. I found a job which allows me to work a few hours every night during the week, and all day long on Saturday. So I was free during the day all week for classes and clinicals. My program requires that you be a CNA as one of the prereq's to get into the program. So I just took a class at the college (financial aid paid for it). Then I worked my regular job as well as Fri, Sat, Sun nights as a CNA all summer to save up some extra money for school and to get some experience before starting the nursing program. Maybe you could get your CNA, then work weekends while attending school. Most places around here work 12 hour shifts. We had several CNA's in my class that would work Fri, Sat, Sun nights, then attend classes during the week.

Good luck and God bless.

[Jules A, MSN]

If you are making a decent wage now I would definitely skip CNA and head right for a LPN program you can attend while you work. CNAs make very little money and it is backbreaking work. The CNAs I went to school with didn't have any advantage over the rest of us once the first semester was over. Good luck, working is totally possible while in nursing school if you are motivated.

[CrazierThanYou]

If you are making a decent wage now I would definitely skip CNA and head right for a LPN program you can attend while you work. CNAs make very little money and it is backbreaking work. The CNAs I went to school with didn't have any advantage over the rest of us once the first semester was over. Good luck, working is totally possible while in nursing school if you are motivated.

I would check with the school you wish to attend. In my area, beginning this Fall it will be required for all nursing applicants to be CNA's first. I have heard of other areas that require this as well.

[Jules A, MSN]

I would check with the school you wish to attend. In my area, beginning this Fall it will be required for all nursing applicants to be CNA's first. I have heard of other areas that require this as well.

Great point, some do. Thankfully mine didn't!

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

I went your route years ago. I first got my CNA, then went on to LPN and after 4 yrs received my RN. It can be done. Good luck in your journey and wear whatever badge you earn proudly.