CNA or LVN?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hello everyone,

I wanted to see what was the best path for me to take.

I am currently struggling financially since my family are first-generation immigrants. (luckily we are now citizens)

I live in California. I was planning to get my LVN and then take my prereqs for nursing school while working as one.

I know that LVN's make enough to help pay the bills (around 18). But knowing that LVN's are not well used in acute settings and getting a job as LVN is difficult in California, I am thinking of just getting my CNA certification instead.

This way, I will work as a CNA during the year that I would be taking LVN courses, and hopefully get a pay raise when I deserve it.

Hence I can still be exposed to nursing in an acute setting and help pay the bills while I pursue a RN career.

For experienced CNA's (and others), what is your current salary? Do you think it is best for me to get my CNA instead?

edit* I am planning to work CNA 30 hours a week (12hr weekends) and take three prereq courses a semester (half year) at a community college.

What is an LVN is it like LPN?

Those terms seem to be used interchangeably, so unless someone can correct me I think they're the same thing. I'd be a little nervous about pursuing an LPN/LVN program because of the fear that they're going to phase out that program again. There's an article posted on AllNurses.com about LPN's fighting to keep their positions in facilities where they're no longer accepting LPN's. They are being forced to either quit, or go on to become an RN, or take a huge pay cut and work as a CNA. I don't even know what the truth is anymore --- does anyone out there know: Are they or are they NOT going to phase out LPN as an employable position? :confused:

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I work in a hospital in California as a CNA. I make $13.75/hr in the morning shift. The noc shift pays .75 more. I'll go to nights soon because I think it's a lot easier than mornings.

Anyway, our hospital will give the last 5 LVNs in the hospital untill 2013 to either retire, or finish the RN program.

I have to disagree than as a CNA you don't learn RN duties. I'm happy to say that you do!!!!!! So far I've learned wound packing from assiting the nurses to hold a patient while doing it. I've also learned when to administer O2 and many other duties that will make patient care a lot easier when I get into nursing school.

Some hospitals prefer, but don't require experience, so just apply. I got 7 job offer at one point...so don't believe people who tell you that it's hard to get a CNA job in CA. IT'S EASY!!! Keeping it it's a different story. Good luck!!!

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Hello thirdwatch,

Thanks for your input! I agree with you, I know many CNAs around my area that gets exposed to many of the RN duties. Although it won't be as much as LVN or the RN itself, I hear it is plenty. However, it depends on the facility I guess, since some CNA's do EKG's and some don't around my neighborhood.

As for the 7 job offers, what year was this? As soon as I get my CNA certification, I will start applying everywhere. When you got your 7 job offers, did you have your certification?

I am going to apply for those positions that doesn't require a certification. But recently I hear it is hard to get a job for any positions.

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Unless you speak spanish, because at one facility they use Spanish speakers for the entry-level or paraprofessional positions.

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And, even if you don't get to learn actual RN duties, I personally think there is a LOT to be gained by working as an aide before becoming a nurse - for one, you get exposed to the environment and get a lot more comfortable working with patients and residents.

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And as for finding a job, that changes at the drop of a hat. Where I live, there used to be a big shortage of CNAs, and if you were an aide with even a tiny amount of experience, you could get hired at nearly any facility in the area easily.

Then, the employment/temp agencies in the area started reimbursing people who took and passed the CNA course plus paying them a bonus when they got hired on at a facility. All of a sudden, it became nearly impossible to find a job as an aide, even with my 3 years of experience at that time.

Now, a couple of years later, many of those people have found that CNA work is not for them, and it's easier to find a job again.

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Hello thirdwatch,

Thanks for your input! I agree with you, I know many CNAs around my area that gets exposed to many of the RN duties. Although it won't be as much as LVN or the RN itself, I hear it is plenty. However, it depends on the facility I guess, since some CNA's do EKG's and some don't around my neighborhood.

As for the 7 job offers, what year was this? As soon as I get my CNA certification, I will start applying everywhere. When you got your 7 job offers, did you have your certification?

I am going to apply for those positions that doesn't require a certification. But recently I hear it is hard to get a job for any positions.

It was this year in January when I got the 7 offers. One from the county, 4 from the state and 2 in Santa Barbara and the one I kept in Santa Clarita.

I did have a certification though. ..and totally recomend you to do so too.

;)

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Seems like CNA isn't for everyone yousoldtheworld. I hope there are many opportunities waiting for me!

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