Dilemma...

[ap917]

Hi everyone!

I had a question I wanted an opinion on...

So I am currently a HS senior in Washington. I did the running start program which means I've been taking classes at my local community college and completing prerequisites. I unfortunately won't be finishing all the prereqs for a BSN program by the time I graduate HS. My grades aren't the best but they're not too bad so I was considering working as a CNA for the next year while finishing the rest of my prereqs and other classes to raise my gpa at the CC I'm at right now.

Another option I have is going to a university in Seattle. I know if I go to the university I won't be able work full time but I would still try to get a per-diem CNA job. Do you guys think that is still an okay plan? I know CC is a lot cheaper but I have a scholarship there so money is not an issue but I'm just wondering if working full time as a CNA would be giving me that extra boost for my nursing school application and if even working per-diem while studying full time at a university is doable? (I would be taking classes part time at the CC).

I hope any of this made sense and if it doesn't feel free to ask! Thank you for your inputs!!

[FutureNurseInfo]

You can do both, if you say money is not an issue. In terms of you having a CNA experience, some programs look at it very favorably, while some do not even care.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

In my state you have to have a certificate to be a CNA, which means you have to take classes if you haven't already. Have you done this already?

And as far as university & CC classes, as far as working, you probably can still work full time at either while finishing pre-reqs, although if you don't have to even better. I worked full time while attending university & likely will even through nursing school.

I say, go wherever you spend less money out of pocket or without having to pull loans if that's at the university, great, if it's at the cc, that is also great. Good luck.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

At my community college, a CNA is required, however, at local universities it is not. Look at the requirements for both programs that you are interested in. You are smart for taking related prerequisite courses in high school. With my experience and what I know now, I would attend the CC until all of your prerequisites are finished and then transfer to the university to enter their BSN program. Please, DO NOT try to work full time. That is a huge mistake that I made my first year of college. I was valedictorian, straight A's in high school and thought I could handle working full time while going to college. I pretty much failed my entire first year and had to transfer from my university and to the CC I attend now. If I could go back, I'd work 24 hours a week max.

[OliveOyl91, BSN, RN]

I'm a student at Lower Columbia College in Longview, and there it is required to have your CNA for entry into the nursing program, however, experience is not required. It's great that you've been able to take part in the running start program, and if you've been offered a scholarship I would take it. Especially if it's towards your prereqs. I wish they had that program in place when I was your age. I'm about $8,000 in student loan debt right now and I've just completed all of my prerequisites. I still have 2-3 years of nursing school ahead of me.

As for working as a CNA, it would definitely be great experience but if you don't need to work, then I would focus on your studies and raise your grades.