cna/lpn training

Originally posted by aprile

I'm living in the Newark area of Delaware. I'm a single mother of one, and a full time employee with a pharmacy. I've decided to go back to school, spring of '2004, for a degree in nursing to become a RN. Meanwhile, i'm wondering how i could/would go about getting my CNA, or LPN licensing. Would I have to obtain a CNA license first, or would I be able to take a LPN training course? Also, would anyone happen to know if there are any training facilities, or courses, in the Delaware area?

Thanks,

I private messaged you.....In Pa the cna course is approx 6 to 8 weeks long and you have to pass an exam to be licensed.All of the places I know that offer can training do it "on the job" The LPN program (vo-tech diploma or degree)is from 1 year to 18 months long (the ones I am familiar with) You can get your RN education in 2 to 4 yrs...If I had it to do over I would work my through an RN education working as an aide...The money is good in this area for cna's and everyone is offering tuition re-imbursment...Every facility I know will be very flexible with your scheduling while you are in school....Some RN programs do require students to work as aides...check them all out....You are surrounded by programs of all kinds ...you should also start lining up your support system.As a single parent you will need a great deal of help.Programs are very un-forgiving when it comes to absences-no matter what.Also nursing is a 24 hour 7 day a week job and it is unrealistic to expect that you will get right into a day shift position with no weekends or holidays right out of achool.Those positions can be hard to find and are in demand....Feel free to pm me if there is anything more I can do for you....

Thanks, for your response. When you said if you could do it all over again, you'd work through to an RN, what exactly did you mean? I just want to make sure that we're on the same page.

Thanks,

Originally posted by aprile

Thanks, for your response. When you said if you could do it all over again, you'd work through to an RN, what exactly did you mean? I just want to make sure that we're on the same page.

Thanks,

I left my ex-husband without a penny to my name...Just me and the cat.I slept on my mother's sofa for months....I worked as a cna while going to the LPN school...I did not really understand about the different programs and levels of education.I could have gotten my RN in almost the same time it took me to get my LPN-would have only taken a few more months...If I had known this I would have done so...I don't regret being an LPN-I have worked in many different areas of nursing and loved it and am content now(and counting the years to retirement) At the time I actually had an application to a local 2 year RN program...Some of my co-workers and I took the LPN program entrance exam together....It was less frightening with the support of friends...The RN program seemed ...I don't know...more college-y and scarier and grown up...(of course it WAS-I ended up going to a vo-tech program for my LPN-BIG difference) I was coming out of a violent druggy marriage and I was kind of damaged at the time and felt I needed to get into the work force amd make serious money as fast as I could...I am happy that I did..