CNA or RN?? Thinking of leaving university

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I currently in my second year of college at a 4 year university to get my BSN. I am about to start applying to the nursing program for next fall. I honestly am not happy with the process. I hate taking all of these unnecessary classes and I'm still not guaranteed placement in the program! Lately I have been thinking about getting my CNA. Most programs I can be done in 3 months and I can immediately start working. But I honestly would like to know would leaving school and getting my CNA benefit me in the long run? I know in maryland CNA can start making between $10-12 depending on the company but will this sustain me later in life as a long term career? Will I be able to survive on my own on this salary?

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No offense to any of the long term cna'a out there, but are you joking? Have you seen what those people put up with every single day they work? Do you think when you are 55-65 you are going to want to do heavy lifting/ make you sweat work every single day? I was a cna for 3 years and near the end of that time I was just about burnt out. Stick out your RN if you want to pursue nursing.

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Specializes in MedSurg, Tele, ER, ICU, Float.

I agree. Stay on the RN path. I'm currently doing prerequisites for my BSN and just started a GNA/CNA position and I'm already having the "I-want-more-than-this" thought passing through my mind. Don't get me wrong, it's good for networking and putting in your resume. But if you're already well on your way to getting into a program, stay on that track. Plus, once you DO get into the program, after finishing your fundamentals course you can easily slip into a CNA or Tech position at a hospital (without the added trouble of paying for a CNA course).

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Your right and this is my biggest fear, if I do get my CNA wishing I had just stayed in school or getting to comfortable with the salary now because I am young. I also did not know you could work as a CNA after fundamentals so thanks for the tip.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I feel like I was in your place 4 yrs ago!! I took a semester off in college and did a CNA/GNA program. I was 19. It took about 2.5 months to find a job at an assisted living facility. I started off at 11/hr. I also worked at a nursing home, retirement community and home health. I started nursing school at 21, got my LPN at 22 and worked at a jail while I finished my last year in school. Graduates with my BSN and passed nclex at 23 :) so my point of the story is, yes I think you should go for it. It is good experience and will help you in the long run.

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