Going from an Automotive Mechanic to a Registered Nurse, I need some advice.

[UptonR]

After high school I went to a vocational school for 2 years and trained to be an automotive/diesel tech, I was following in my dads footsteps. But eve since I was young I wanted to be in the medical field especially in nursing. I enjoy helping and taking care of people, I don't know why i went with automotive I suppose I just wanted wanted to follow after my dad, but after doing this job for 4 years I know its not for me. I'm 23 years old now and I talked to my girlfriend about it who is an occupational therapist and she suggested going to a community college for 2 years then transferring to a 4 year university.

I've already paid off all my previous loans from the vocational school,The only problem I'm having now is I work 55-65 hours a week as a mechanic and i know the nursing classes are challenging especially if i'm going to be taking 17 credit hours or more a semester theres no way i will have time to study. Luckily I still live with my mom and dad so what i was thinking is, should i take a CNA course then quit my current job and get a part time job as a CNA so that way I will have time for my studies and get some job experience in the medical field? or should I stay with my company where I know i will always have a job and move in to part time car sales?

Will being a CNA help on my resume when I graduate as a RN and am looking for a job?

And is going to a community college for 2 years then a 4 year university the best way to go about becoming an RN?

And my last question is what kind of loans should I apply for, I took a few basic college classes in the past but FAFSA would not give me a penny for school because I have a full time job and live at home with my parents, but if i quit my current job and start working part time, theres no way i will be able to afford the college classes like I did in the past. would taking student loans from companies like sallie mae be good? Thank you so much for any advice!

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

I'm not a big fan of taking out loans for school so if there is any way you can keep your job and cut back on hours that is the way I would go. I think getting your ADN first from a CC is smart because you can work as a nurse while you get your BSN if you want to continue. There are pros and cons to working as a CNA and for me the wages were way too low for me to ever consider doing that and I'd imagine you make way more as a mechanic also. They did have an advantage in the beginning when we were learning to do blood pressures etc. but after that not so much. If the market is tight in your area they also can have an advantage on a job after graduation. Things were different when I graduated so it didn't matter. Good luck.