How should I go about becoming an RN?

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I want to go to nursing school, but I'm a bit confused which path I should choose. I have two schools I'm interested in - a technical college that requires you to follow a CNA to LPN to RN route and a private college that offers an LPN program and ADN program (no pre-requisite license needed). It also has an LPN to RN program. The private college would be more expensive than the technical one, but I'd like to become an RN as soon as possible. I'm a senior in high school right now, and I'm thinking of enrolling in a CNA program after I graduate and work part time as a nursing assistant while in college. I've heard CNA experience greatly adds to your hiring potential as a nurse, so do you think this would be a good idea? Or should I just go for RN right away? I've also heard it's better to start as an LPN first, so should I go for LPN and follow up with a mobility program to RN? Any advice would be great, thanks!

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Tech school. Cheaper route for sure in this horrible economy and job market.

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It might be a good idea to find a CNA program first. Those are usually a few hundred bucks (depending on where you go), and most programs are a couple months long. If you do that, you can start working as a CNA, getting your foot in the healthcare world, learning the basics, and actually SEEING if you want to pursue nursing further. Plus you're earning a paycheck and saving moolah! If your main goal is to become an RN, then go straight for that after the CNA program. Like I said, you can make connections, earn money, save, learn the basics, and get your foot in the door while working as a CNA, all while you're attending an RN program.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Just curious as to the reasons you're avoiding the standard community college/state university ADN/BSN routes?

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I would go whatever is the cheapest route. If the cheaper program takes 6 months to a year longer it is still going to be much cheaper than a private school. The program I am in takes 3 years because you can't get the prerequisites finished beforehand unless you took AP courses in high school. I'm not saying you will do poorly, but people change their minds and nursing school is tough. My class had 10 out of 40 drop out and the tuition is still $2000 or so. I'd hate to owe $10,000 for a private school for nothing if I didn't make it.

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What I don't like about the tech school is that you have to first become an LPN before you can become an ADN. I would rather just get my ADN right away rather than mess around. It also requires you to be a CNA before you can become an LPN. I've already made up my mind to become a CNA after I graduate, so I guess it wouldn't be THAT much of an issue. With the private college I'm looking at, it integrates generals and pre-reqs into the nursing program. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing TBH...but my employer offers 10% student discounts to employees for this college. Also, universities are just way too expensive and not really my type of style of education. Universities are out for me.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

BEWARE! "Integrating" your pre-reqs may provide a faster route to the program completion, but if you want to continue your education in the future, you won't have the necessary courses to transfer & you'll have to take them again.

Your "style" of education doesn't matter unless your preferences are in line with acceptable standards for nursing education & hiring managers. You may be a 'special snowflake', but this doesn't count for much in the real world. FWIW, it has been pretty well documented that this is also the most prevalent recruiting 'sales pitch' for commercial schools .... "you need to choose us because we can cater to your special needs/preferences" Also, those 'corporate agreements' that include discounts for commercial schools are as common as dirt. It's just another sales technique. 10% off of a program that cost at least twice what it should... not a bargain.

The total cost ($, time & effort) of your education should be considered in terms of Return on Investment. If you cannot find a job at the end, your ROI will be too high - no matter how inexpensive the program. Conversely, a pricier program is a much better investment if it is a better preparation for the job market.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

If you are going to get your CNA, go for it.

I also agree with HouTx...I suggest your research community colleges and public universities to decrease costs and flexibility of programs, especially if to decide on a graduate nursing degree.

Interview the schools, find out what pre-requisites you need. An investment in a GOOD education requires making decisions based on the present, and the future. Best Wishes.

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Well, I honestly don't have any choice when it comes to getting my CNA if I intend to go to a technical school in my state. So you guys think the long route of CNA - generals and pre-reqs - LPN - RN would be best? I'm thinking I will eventually want to get my BSN...the private college actually offers a 1 year RN-BSN course that is completely online, so I think that's what I'll end up doing. Does everyone think this would be the smartest route then? Either way, I'm going to information sessions at both of these colleges I'm interested in to give me some idea of things.

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