Help with nursing education/etc. direction?

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Pardon me, but I've come at an impasse with my goals for my nursing education.

Right off the bat, I know that we will not have the funds for a BSN (Four years, I believe). Scholarships sound great, but I would prefer a plan without reliance on things like these. (Just in case.)

I will have enough for two years in college at this point (If nothing goes wrong in the family) and I am fairly unsure with how the programs work in the area.

Now, once I graduate high-school, I plan to either attempt to become a CNA, or work odd jobs to help with college. I can also attempt to go through a program to become an LPN (From what I understand) and work to pay student loans, and education towards RN training.

My mother is urging me to begin as a CNA for time management, and general acclimation (Even though it does not count as nursing experience directly, from what I have read) to the medical environment.

I've been lurking these forums for a while, and recently created an account. If possible, I would like help trying to find my way into this field, without grinding my mother and family into debt.

I greatly appreciate any help, and am sorry for any inaccuracies in this post.

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Why not go straight into RN? From what I've read, you say that you have enough for 2 years of schooling. There are community colleges that offer the RN route and provide an ASN/ADN degree and the program is 2 years, provided that you complete the prerequisite courses. There's also the option of pulling out loans and grants to pay the difference. If you have enough for 2 years already, you won't be so much in debt that it will be overwhelming. It will take a little time to pay off, but hey, welcome to the financial debt of a college student. Hope this helps :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Why would you not want to do scholarships? Scholarships are free money that does not need to be paid back. Student loans need to be paid back.

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Why would you not want to do scholarships? Scholarships are free money that does not need to be paid back. Student loans need to be paid back.

Scholarships sound great, but I am hesitant to rely on receiving one, sorry...

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Why not go straight into RN? From what I've read, you say that you have enough for 2 years of schooling. There are community colleges that offer the RN route and provide an ASN/ADN degree and the program is 2 years, provided that you complete the prerequisite courses. There's also the option of pulling out loans and grants to pay the difference. If you have enough for 2 years already, you won't be so much in debt that it will be overwhelming. It will take a little time to pay off, but hey, welcome to the financial debt of a college student. Hope this helps

Thank you for the advice. I get weary when thinking about student loans, academia can be kind of scary looking from the outside in.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I think starting with the CNA route can be a good option. It'll help you get your feet wet in patient care, and you can start saving for when you decide to pursue your RN. Plus, CNAs are generally paid a little higher than, say, a retail clerk at a clothing store (or one of the other many odd jobs people tend to do in college). You can look at BSN bridge programs (RN-BSN), where you get your ADN, and you can work while getting your BSN. If you can save money, you won't necessarily need to rely on scholarships, though I'd encourage you to apply, anyway.

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I think starting with the CNA route can be a good option. It'll help you get your feet wet in patient care, and you can start saving for when you decide to pursue your RN. Plus, CNAs are generally paid a little higher than, say, a retail clerk at a clothing store (or one of the other many odd jobs people tend to do in college). You can look at BSN bridge programs (RN-BSN), where you get your ADN, and you can work while getting your BSN. If you can save money, you won't necessarily need to rely on scholarships, though I'd encourage you to apply, anyway.

Thank you, I hadn't really thought of bridging programs. For some reason, the logic didn't really click in my mind when I was looking through routes.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Thank you, I hadn't really thought of bridging programs. For some reason, the logic didn't really click in my mind when I was looking through routes.

Fortunately, there ARE many options out there, and you have plenty of time to sort through them (even though I'm sure it doesn't feel that way!). There are LPN-ADN bridge programs, and even the rare LPN-BSN program. Keep on top of what's going on in your area, as things change often. Some new option may be the perfect path for you.

Good luck!

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Fortunately, there ARE many options out there, and you have plenty of time to sort through them (even though I'm sure it doesn't feel that way!). There are LPN-ADN bridge programs, and even the rare LPN-BSN program. Keep on top of what's going on in your area, as things change often. Some new option may be the perfect path for you.

Good luck!

Got it, I will keep an ear out on local programs, thank you for taking the time to help me.

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I don't know your location, but if you work as a CNA, many employers offer tuition assistance to help with nursing school. You could look into that.

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I don't know your location, but if you work as a CNA, many employers offer tuition assistance to help with nursing school. You could look into that.

I was reading into this recently, thank you for verifying this. CNA, or student loans/scholarship appears to be my most likely pathways.

Thank you for taking the time in helping me, I will continue to look into this.

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Alternatively...if you live near a volunteer fire department, and if they cover training to become an EMT, I'd recommend that. In my area, you can join the VFD and take a class (usually less than 6 months) to become an EMT. The fire department pays for the class.

1. This looks good on your apps/resume. 2. You would get some basic patient interaction (not analogous to a CNA, but you'd get the basics, like vitals, basic life support, etc.). 3. At least where I live, EMTs can make more than CNAs, and it's easy to do part time if you go to school for nursing. I highly recommend this route.

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