Confused CNA

ZombieMomma · Feb 17, 2013

I'm in a similar position and everyone I come in contact with in the medical field tells me the same thing: Go straight for your RN, because no one is hiring LPN's. There is a constant cycle of hiring them and then HR deciding they should only hire RN's. Best to be safe I think.

bTRUE · Feb 17, 2013

Same thing happened with me 4 years ago when i first became a CNA .... What I did was: listen to my gut. I truly felt that considering my young age and lack of patient interaction that I would benefit from LPN ( to gain basic nursing skills) then eventually go on to my RN . I basically wanted to gain experience. So I went to a local SUNY college and asked for information about Their LPN program... To my surprise the dean insisted I enroll in their RN BSN program instead, so I did. Literally the next day , I found out I got accepted into a different SUNY schools LPN program. What I'm trying to say is ... Take what you can get bc in my case I took the RN BSN spot bc it was 1st offered , but if the LPN ppl would have called me a day before then I would have never went to a different school to inquire about their nursing programs. Do wherever the wind takes you! :)

zoe92 · Feb 17, 2013

I say do the RN, especially if you plan on becoming a registered nurse anyways.

ComeTogether, LPN · Feb 17, 2013

It all depends on your preferences. LPN programs are faster than RN but not by much. My local programs only have a two semester difference between them. That being said, in some cases one can finish faster by becoming a LPN first and then bridging.

As far as the difficulty level it varies by each school but I would imagine both are hard.

Personally I would choose whichever path gets me to the end result fastest.

Good luck!!

Free_2B_me · Feb 17, 2013

Ohhh see I just posted something about this in another area, new to the app. I have been a cna for.several years now,.Im just ready to move forward !! My kids deserve it. But I have NO.IDEA where to start or what to start studying for an entrance exam...if there is one? Or do they put you through basic classes first ??

Free_2B_me · Feb 17, 2013

Ohhh @ jds72 I've had almost all the lpns I've worked with tell me if they could they'd just go in time and go straight for their RN. Thats was a major influence on whether to be a lpn or rn :)

danyi · Feb 17, 2013

Does any of u know how to register for Kaplan test ???

alexa.aev · Feb 17, 2013

Don't do lvn... It's a waste of time and it's expensive especially though a private school

hodgieRN · Feb 17, 2013

I'm kind of confused about your post. I read that you said LPN school is very time consuming, but if you got your RN, you would still be able to work normally. LPN is school is not more time consuming than RN school. Most students who get their RN don't have time for anything either. As a matter of fact, you probably will have less free time in RN school. RN school itself is 2 yr minimum. People have the ability to work in school, but holding a 36 hrs/week schedule will depend on your ability to sacrifice other things (friends, social life, sleep). If you go RN, your work schedule might only be part-time at maximum. LPN is shorter, but doing LPN to RN is longer than just getting your RN. LPN's are extremely knowledgeable and competent as nurses, but RN school is more involved. LPN school is 12-18 months while RN school is 24 months (but schools ends up being more like 3 years with pre-req and electives). Some can argue RN is harder because of length of school, added depth in courses like pharmacology, ethics, and endless essays. The NCLEX for RN's is harder. Don't be thrown off by hearing that LPN is time consuming b/c RN is same, if not worse. Both will put your life on hold. There is also a big difference in pay and scope of practice.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 18, 2013

Nursing school whether PN or RN program is TIME consuming.

I went from CNA to LPN to RN (BSN).

LPN is VERY intense...you are learning nursing theory, the nursing process, A&P, fundamentals, Chronic Adults, Pharmaclogy Med Surg Nursing, Maternity/Post Partum, Peds, Leadership within or over a year, depending on how long the program is designed. Classes/Theory may last only 2-3 weeks, including Clinicals fir up to 3 days for 3 weeks. I worked 16 hrs shifts every other weekend when I was in that program. You had make time to learn theory, skills, care plan writing, etc.

RN programs...where to start??? The "Art and Science" of Nursing begins with fundamental building blocks prior to the major theory and scope of professional nursing practice. You have to do Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Math, English Composition I & II, Nutrition, Humanities...Philosophy or History, foreign language can be an option if you are going for your Bachelors. These "Art"classes help with learning about different cultures, the why if some dynamics between cultures, how to communicate efficiently; The Science courses give you a background into the human body, the chemical and atmospheric pressures that occur within the body, and how nutrition drives the body's response. These will transfer into how to identify and intervene on the body's process are affected, how to communicate effectively during the nurse-pt relationship, especially when doing pt teaching and providing resources, how to double check med dosages, and provide evidence base practice through research.

The prereq's can take up to two years alone. The nursing major is for 2-2.5 years...2.5 is how long my BSN curriculum was; it included research nursing, and we had to prepare a research proposal. The professional nurse scope is much broader than the practical nurse scope, so there is a difference in practice. You get Fundamentals with the overview of nursing theory and the nursing process; Health Assessment, Chronic Health Med Surg, Pharmacology, Adult Med Surg, Peds, Psych, Public Health, Acute Care Med Surg. My BSN included Pathophysiology in the coursework.

I was able to work as a LPN 30+ hours a week through self schedule; I did 2 10s and 1-2 8s a week; I had two days of evening class clinicals every other weekend. I found myself going down to 20 hours in my senior year, because it was a LOT of work, and the material increased in its complexity. I really didn't work during my last semester...just enough to be able to pay my household bills and brown bag my lunch.

That's the nifty gritty of my experience.

I suggest you research jobs in your area FIRST before you consider which nursing school. There is a surplus of nurses, and a lot of hospitals are leaning towards BSN, depending on the area. Next, research the prerequisite/required core requirements prior to the major coursework if you choose a RN program. If you have ample opportunities to be a LPN, you can try LPN; however, when I finished my program, I left my Magnet hospital because they stopped hiring LPNs-this was in 2005, and it's getting to the point it's everywhere. I was on a post and they are discussing how hard it is to land a job in a hospital as a LPN.

I say go for the RN...if you can go BSN, then go for it too, either by bridge of the traditional route. Just research your states BON, find the approved programs, and interview the programs. You are choosing to attend their school. Go to information sessions, research tuition costs, financial aid; ask questions, and go from there. It will take persistence, endurance, and tenacity to choose, enroll, and complete a nursing program. Good Luck! :)

Stephalump · Feb 18, 2013

A lot of people in my class (RN) work. We're only in school for about 18 hours a week.

I don't know how the LVNs do it. They're in school 8-5 five days a week. After adding in study time, I don't know how they have time for anything else!

I will say though...while we have more time available outside of class, we have a ton of work outside of class and holding a job and passing classes still seems to be difficult.