CNA, now what?

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So I am stressing out about taking my CNA skills and state exam next week. I really hope I get it and Ive been following the book "Taking Care: A guide for nursing assistants." It seems very helpful but I'm just nervous about how I will perform. Anyways for all of those CNA's out there I was wondering what is the next step? Are you planning on going to an LPN class or an RN? I wanted to go straight for my RN but I dont think I am smart enough and people are telling me it is difficult to balance school and working as a CNA.

What way have you found to be the successful route for you and why?

Its hard trying to figure out what to do when your clueless.

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good luck!! I'm taking my test next wednesday and I'm a bit nervous but for what I have read , as long as you feel ready you will be good to go :) ..

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

no i am just like you. i am taking my CNA skills test next month and although im excited, im nervous as well.

BtW about working while in nursing school, I plan to be a CNA through finishing my pre-reqs and while I am in nursing school. i have always worked and done school and if your used to it then you can do it, if not then just do school...but some of us dont have that choice

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

I am in the same boat you are! I'm taking my state test in two days and I am nervous on how I will do with the skills test. There are some steps in bold that we cannot miss or it's an automatical fail...I just hope I don't get so nervous that I forget those steps!

I plan to find work as a CNA for a while to gain some experience and then I will look into finding a CNA to LPN program somewhere. I want to go beyond a CNA but not quite as far as to be an RN, so that's my plan. It is a tough decision, that's for sure.

Good luck with your state exam and making the decision that is best for you! :)

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

Well I did my state testing yesterday, now it's just wait and see. My biggest fear of forgetting one of the "bold" steps didn't happen. In fact I really don't think I missed any steps. I just ended up rushed because time was running out. The written test so VERY hard. Not at all what I anticipated. I felt very studied and ready for the written....much to my surprise, it was not at all easy. At the least the test version I had. So I'm hoping next week I will be able to announce that I passed....but I just don't feel super confident.

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Going straight to RN.

You can find places that have a "bridge to rn" program. They will pay your tution but they usually have time requirements. You can be there for a yr before they will let you do it but then you have to sign a contract that you'll stay with them for a max of (i believe) 3 yrs.

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