cna nervous for nursing school!

[penny186, ADN, BSN, CNA, RN]

I have been a certified nurse aide for 10 months and have been working at a nursing facility about 8 months. I love my job and work many different shifts on a pretty regularly basis weekly. I am starting nursing school for my bsn very soon. I am sooo nervous to get back in the swing of school, staying up late, and going crazy trying to finish assignments. I feel that going to college was the wrong decision and am very nervous and anxious about having to give up my life by working less hours while my coworkers get to keep working everyday. For the last couple months I have been working non stop and am nervous to give it up. I will only be able to work weekends and evenings while I am in school and will give up my carefree lifestyle. I work very very hard and have learned so much, trying to do the best job possible, doing everything i can for residents, leaving no stone unturned. I love my job and feel content being an aide. I have been so upset about this major change for a month. It will be hard to not see certain people everyday and conform to a new lifestyle. Am I making the right decision? Please help

[ruralnurse84]

I guess you have to ask yourself why you want to be a nurse. If it is something you really want to do then the time spent working less and going to school will be worth it. If you feel like being a CNA is your calling then you should stick with that.

[bcstsp_mg]

I think you need to take a step back and ask yourself if being an RN is what you really want to do. I know a couple aids who don't want to be nurses and are completely happy with where they are now. You need to ask yourself if you are going to school because it is what you think you are supposed to do or because it is what you want to do. I think if you are honest with yourself and you really do want to be a nurse you will see that the sacrifices are worth it. You might also consider that being an RN will also change your schedule, you will generally work longer shifts, you will be required to attened classes to maintain certifications and your license.

[LeeLeeTheGPN]

These are normal jitters that everyone goes through before embarking on a life altering journey. While you also need to consider if being a nurse is something you really want, you need to consider if you will be content working as a CNA for the rest of your life? The pay is good now, I'm assuming you have no children because you mentioned having a 'carefree lifestyle' but what about when you start a family? Do you think your income as a CNA will suffice? I'll just say this...nothing good comes to you without hard work. It is so easy to become complacent. Right now you are content, but consider your future.