CNA to LPN to RN

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My perspective has changed when I learned that it's not easy to get in nursing program.

I don't have any medical (hospital) experiences, so I concluded that I have to start as a nursing assistant student to get my foot in the door.

Where I study, LPN or ADN program is very very picky. It counts everything such as experience, GPA, volunteer hours, etc. I have done many general education courses with good grades, but I don't think that I'm good enough to get in. To be more specific, the general education courses I accumulated are also nursing prerequisites. Anyway, my college's NCLEX passing rate is excellent.

My question is: Is it a lot easier to get in LPN or ADN program once I'm CNA with a few months work experience?

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I'm a cna & I chose to go straight to ADN. Here, the entrance requirements for the LPN program & ADN are pretty much the same (save for a few gen eds). I had already done those gen eds while deciding what I wanted to do. The LPN program is 1 year (2 semesters) & the ADN is 2 years (4 semesters). It seemed easier for me to jump right in to the ADN because CNAs can work in more varied settings here than LPNs. I want to work peds or nicu as an rn & I was able to get a cna job in a peds unit :-)

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I am a cna in massachusetts. Nursing programs are competitive but that's not why I chose to be a cna. I chose to work as a cna to gain healthcare experience but also so I wouldn't take any part of what they do for granted once I am a nurse. I start lpn school in the fall :)

I know that I am the kind of person who needs short term gratification which is why I am doing a ten month lpn program instead of a two year program. A lot can happen in two years that can stop you from completing a program. Since you have no experience, I would suggest doing an lpn thing then applying to a bridge program to get your adn in another year. Good luck!

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There are people in nursing school that have absolutely no medical background, so it is not detrimental to you if you do not have any. However, it can boost your admission packet if you have prior experience. Either way, you are going to learn all that you need to be a competent nurse in school. Like the above poster said, going into an LPN program will give you a head start on your career and I know RNs that were LPNs prior that have said that completing the bridge program and the passing the NCLEX-RN were so much easier to them because they had that prior nursing (licensed nursing, not as an assistive personnel) experience. However, I will say, having been a CNA before, it really helps to understand both perspectives as the nurse and as the CENA. It helps me to empathize when the CENA says that he or she is feeling overwhelmed. I was that CENA before. But as a nurse, I also now understand when the nurse supervising me was not always able to answer that light or help that patient. There is a lot of work nurses have to do. Either way, entering the field of nursing is rewarding and promising. I pray your heart leads you in the right direction.

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Thank you and I appreciate your feedback, guys.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. It is helpful, but totally unnecessary, to become a CNA prior to becoming a nurse.

I was an LPN/LVN for 4 years before earning my RN license. I know that if I had worked as a CNA beforehand, I would have been totally turned off to the idea of becoming a nurse.

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I agree with the commuter! After working as a CNA I questioned my decision to be a nurse out of fear that I would fall into the same trap and treat my aides the way we were treated.

At the same time, after taking a year hiatus to take care of my ailing father I am thankful for my experience as a CNA. I now feel that it will help me to be a better, more respectful nurse.

All that said, I definitely wouldn't consider it necessary. I suppose if you wanted to work during nursing school, obtaining your CNA and working as such could help land you a good position at your job, and you'd have a leg up already knowing your co-workers and having a good grasp of day to day life at the job :)

Either way, if you have the dedication to be a nurse it doesn't matter what steps you take to get there- just that you get there. Congrats on your decision to pursue this amazing career and good luck with choosing the right path to take you there!

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The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. It is helpful, but totally unnecessary, to become a CNA prior to becoming a nurse.

I was an LPN/LVN for 4 years before earning my RN license. I know that if I had worked as a CNA beforehand, I would have been totally turned off to the idea of becoming a nurse.

I would totally agree. CNA do all the dirty work, and may be a big turn off.

In my LVN course, after the first few months you can just go and take the boards for CNA license. So why not just go straight to LVN/RN.

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Personally, I started out as a medical assistant and realized I wanted to do more patient care. I took a nursing assistant program to give me a feel of what I will be doing as a nurse. I am currently going into my last semester of vocational nursing and eventually will bridge to the RN and get a BSN. The journey has been long but I think that slowly building on my skills makes me that much better at providing high level care for patients. So many times I wonder how people become RNs when they don't do basic things I've learned properly. So, good luck with getting into any program, but with nursing there is no shortcuts - especially when dealing with people's lives...

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I have been a CNA for 11 years and just recently started in an LPN program. I think it has helped me understand a lot more in class, though there are several of my classmates that have zero experience in the medical field and are doing well also! I believe working as a CNA has taught me how to be a better nurse because I have worked with the nurses that say "that's not my job, go find a CNA to help you" and then the ones that are awesome and not above helping you transfer a patient to the bed or even help clean them up! I want to be the one that isn't above anyone. If I get to the point in my career as a nurse that I tell someone "that isn't my job" then I will quit. Nursing is helping the patients - whether it is saving their life, giving the meds, cleaning them up, emptying the trash, or just listening - ALL of it is your job! :) I don't think it is necessary that you become a CNA, but it can't hurt! Good luck!

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I to am getting ready to take the CNA class at the college I attend only because it is a requirement to get into the LPN program. I personally dont mind. I have worked as a Medical Assistant for over 5 years and feel like for me personally climbing the ladder to becoming an RN works better feeling like I have more healthcare experience under my belt. It will also helps me to appreciate all aspects of the work Ive always wanted to do.

Good luck on you journey!! :)

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For my LPN program, being a CNA didn't make any difference. When I go on later to do the LPN-RN bridge, the university I'm going to will give you an extra .05 point on your rank when they're choosing applicants.

That being said, I think being a CNA beforehand can be very valuable. It gives you a leg up when you start clinicals, because you've BTDT as far as basic patient care and just interacting in general. Also, it is SO obvious when a nurse was not an aide before becoming a nurse. Have the perspective of being at the bottom of the food chain in patient care can really make a difference in how you view your CNAs when you're the one in charge. No, it's not NECESSARY, but I personally would recommend it in pursuit of being the best nurse and team player that you can be.

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