CNA or LPN

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I was recently accepted to the LPN program at CTC in Florida... however, I know of one local hospital (of 3) is NOT hiring LPNs, instead, RNs or CNAs. I was also told by my cousin, who is an RN (BSN) in SW Florida, that I should drop the LPN program because hospitals aren't really hiring them so much anymore; they'd sooner hire a CNA and help her through school, than an LPN. AHHH. Fine timing I suppose....

I know the school is going to tell me to do LPN, mostly because the program is $5,000 more. lol.

I'm here to gather some opinions.... Should I get my foot in the door as a CNA and work toward my RN, or should I start the LPN as planned and go for RN then?

HELP!

My only concern is that while I work as a CNA, I fear that it may take me 4-5 years to get my RN! Seems like such a long time... :/ Is that an unreasonable expectation or spot on?

errrrr.

Thanks all. I appreciate any advice you could offer! ;)

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Its true that many hospitals do not use LPNs anymore, but they are used in home health, assisted living, and long term care facilities. Are you interested in working in any of those settings?

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Yes, I would be interested in working in any of those capacities. I did HOSA in high school (ha, several years ago) and I remembered really liking hospice care... hm. I did work for a time in Texas as a CNA, in a LTM care facility. Does a CNA employed at a hospital do the same thing as @ LTM care? I've heard CNA in a hospital is better, varies more... thoughts?

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Specializes in LTCF.

Yes i have heard the same thing here in TN. I have heard that they will be phasing out the term "CNA" and will be called "Med Techs", which will be able to pass meds to patients. I am going to school for RN and working fulltime as a CNA. Yes it is going to take me approx years to get through RN school. But it will be well worth it in the end. I would say go CNA and start school for RN. I hope this helps. Also working as a cna will help you with your knowledge through school and school will enhance your knowledge as a cna too.

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I have heard that they will be phasing out the term "CNA" and will be called "Med Techs", which will be able to pass meds to patients.

"Medication Technicians" already exist -- I am one. It is just an additional 3-4 months of training on top of your CNA certificate. I don't know about the phasing out part, though. In most places, the position exists so that facilities can get by with hiring less nurses and save $$$.

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I have worked with a lot of nurses from all walks of life. Many, though not all, of them wish they had been a CNA before becoming an LPN or RN. 90% of the time, you can look right at a nurse and know exactly who's had experience working as an aide.

True, as an LPN you would be making more money and have more practice with certain skills such as dressing changes, catheterizations, dealing with the doctor, etc.

But as a CNA you will be able to build yourself a solid foundation and work up from there.

4-5 years is the usual amount of time it takes to become an RN. Bachelor's programs take the longest. You may be able to shave a year off of that if you go to a community college and earn an Associate's degree instead.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
"Medication Technicians" already exist -- I am one. It is just an additional 3-4 months of training on top of your CNA certificate. I don't know about the phasing out part, though. In most places, the position exists so that facilities can get by with hiring less nurses and save $$$.

We have medication technicians here in MD too. You don't have to be a CNA to become a Med Tech though. Its a 20 hour program & mainly you will employed in assisted living facilities. We also have medication aides, but in order to become one of those you have to be a Geriatric Nursing Assistant employed in a nursing home for at least a year. I agree the part about trying to save a buck. At one of my jobs, we used to have med techs passing the meds, but now they've stopped and hired more LPNs. I guess the med techs were making too many errors, idk...

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