CNA or RN?!?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I feel completely lost an bummed out!

I am a 21 year old mother of 2 kids and wife and I been trying to complete my pre reqs for Nursing (generic) for over 3 years now but life keeps happening and It's still so far away.

I only got my A&P 1 AND 2 and my microbiology to complete in order for me to be FINALLY done. ( I love anatomy btw - got a B in my high school level A&P)

I been thinking of doing MA instead of nursing but i'm not happy wanting to do so. I've always wanted to be a nurse.

I now want to do my CNA and just be done with it and not pursue for my RN because I feel like it's too competitive and I'm not a smart person at all.

Now it turns out that I have to take a TEAS V test (not a requirement before) plus be done with those classes I have left in order for me to APPLY in which the whole application process can take up to 1 year.

I'm completely discouraged and I don't know what to do. I almost feel depressed again. any advice on what route to take - I just want all of this to be

Go for your RN. Although being a CNA is rewarding, we are severely underpaid and overworked. If you do chose to become a CNA you will find yourself wanting to be a nurse within the first few months. In my opinion, I would rather spend a year or two doing difficult coursework rather than doing the difficult manual labor of a CNA. It's tough now but it will all pay off. Go to school while you are young and you'll be financially set at an early age.

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Everybody else has given great advice. If nursing is really what to do then you would regret becoming a medical assistant and jump into nursing. Classes probably would transfer but why not start what you really wanna do. I'm about to be 25 in a few months and I've been set back a few times myself due to pregnancy and mental health issue I was unaware of. I became a phlebotomist to "get it done" just like you mentioned. I was at my phlebotomy clinicals spending spare time at the nurses desk talking about how I missed nursing school. I don't regret my phlebotomy training because it will come in handy but now I have to start over with my core classes and everything. Good luck. Your kids will be your motivation. My son is only four months but he motivates me to meet my goals and give him nice things.

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Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.

You don't have long to go, stick it out. I am a 34 year old single mom of 2. I had a child pass away, a divorce after a husbands addiction issues, and lots of family stuff. I just slowly kept reaching for it. Start to finish it took me 6 years to get in. You can too. Life gets in the way sometimes but keep going. It is worth it. CNA is valuable experience, and a job for now. But it isn't a livable wage and the burn out factor is high. It is a very valuable job for experience, and you make a huge difference to patients. But nursing is a career that can support you and your kids no matter what life throws at you. If you get burnt out, there are so many types of nursing you can move up and find something else that pays similar instead of starting over. Nursing has great benefits, and gives YOU stability and peace of mind. What if something happens to your husband health and you only have one paycheck, or the economy stinks and he can't find work? There are always sick people. Keep going! If you can make it early in your 20's into an RN career that's awesome! YOU CAN DO IT! just keep telling yourself one step at a time and you will make it.

The TEASE isn't that bad, don't be scared.

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Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.

Washington State schools are moving toward a CNA requirement, but it is strongly encouraged and preference given to CNA's

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LIFE AND SCHOOL UPDATE:

I'll be officially done with my pre reqs by Fall 2017 in order to register for the RN program í ½í¸Ší ½í¸Ší ½í¸Š

Thanks a bunch for the advice and support ❤️❤️❤️

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.
LIFE AND SCHOOL UPDATE:

I'll be officially done with my pre reqs by Fall 2017 in order to register for the RN program ������������������

Thanks a bunch for the advice and support ❤️❤️❤️

Congrats!!!!

I've spent the better part of 3 years completing all of my nursing prerequisites and have applied to my school's RN program for Fall 2017 as well! On my school's forum, several of us Fall 2017/Winter 2018 hopefuls have been speaking together and most of us have taken at least 3 years to finish the prerequisite courses.

I was telling on of my girlfriends at school who is a few quarters behind me that it may seem like it takes forever, but it really does sneak up on you. Congratulations, again!

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Another Life Update: I GOT ACCEPTED INTO THE RN PROGRAM! Sorry for the caps - way too excited! Lol

I like to look back at my old posts! :)

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Another Life Update: I GOT ACCEPTED INTO THE RN PROGRAM! Sorry for the caps - way too excited! Lol

I like to look back at my old posts! :)

Wow, congratulations!! Don't you feel better now? :)

There's one piece of advice an old professor gave to me, and I am going to pass it on to you:

Don't be your own biggest obstacle.

I wish you the very best! Good luck in your program, and do keep us posted!

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