help !

NurseVoldemort, BSN, RN · May 19, 2011

At the hospital I work at in Washington, an LPN works as a CNA but with a little higher pay of course. Have you looked into scholarships, financial aid, grants, and student loans so you can work PT and get your RN? Where there's a will, there's a way!

mstacyi · May 19, 2011

I am currently an RN student. I work FT as an CNA. It is hard because all the time management I had to do. But I made it. I will graduate this next week. I say if u can do it then why not do it. all it really take is time and dedication.

Now, when you said your gonna start next fall for RN are u done with your pre-reqs yet? if not I would recommend working til you actually start the program. Because they are not as hard as the actual program. I worked FT til i got into the program then stopped and now working again for bout 5 months now. I started working again so that I can get my foot in the door of a hospital, but it was hard.

good luck to ya.

blackandyellow · May 19, 2011

I am in a similar situation. I ended up getting a job full time that is 24 hours a week and more money so I could make up for working less hours yet still carry benefits. I generally work more than 24 hours a week but it is all about how you manage your time. During the school year I work, sleep, study, and go to school and that is about it for time. Many schools have LVN to RN programs where you work as an LVN for a year or two then finish your associates the school I go to has a program like that and they get their degrees in a year. I go to school with someone who works 40 hours a week 11-7 and has a family, he is also ranked 3rd in our class. I have no idea how he does it but he makes it work.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 19, 2011

I do not understand why being an LVN would be "bad". For one thing, working part-time as LVN while you go to RN school will earn more money than as CNA. Do what you can. Your goal does not have to accomplished all at once, it can be in stages.

hubbert40 · May 21, 2011

The school that I attend has an LPN to RN mobility track that you might want to check in to. I will go for 2 more semesters, and receive my certificate as an LPN, I then have to work for 500 hours as an LPN and then pick up in the 5th out of 6 semesters entering back into the RN program....Maybe that gives you another option !!!