Is it better to become a CNA or LVN before entering into a Nursing Program ?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm currently a senior in high school and I'm planning to attend community college for the next two or three years. While attending a jc and taking Pre-reqs, I am thinking of becoming an LVN but University of Washington (dream school) suggests becoming a CNA. I live in California and still have time to go on mission trips, volunteer, study hard, get good grades and create myself as a nursing student. Anyone applying or accepted to University of Washington have any tips? Anything would help! Thank You ! :)

Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Just to clarify for the OP, an LNA is a licensed nursing assistant. Most states do not use this designation, only CNA.

LNA hands down.

I'd not recommend becoming a LPN because the mindset is different.

Doing a year or two as a CNA will give you skills in "handling" patients. That is very valuable.

Consider your education options. Perhaps you're looking at a Community College which has both programs. Make an appointment with the director of the program and ask their point of view. One once said to me: "don't do the LPN if you want to become RN as we've had lots of problems with people transitioning from the LPN point of view (frame of mind) to the RN point of view.

Today I'd suggest LNA, preferably in a hospital, not in an elderly setting. Why? Because it's safer. Also the hospital is more likely to assist you when you start classes. I think ADN followed by two years of work, followed by an RN>BSN at someplace like WGU is the sweet spot.

Being LNA is soooooooooo valuable in developing "hands." It will make your clinicals (RN) a lot easier.

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LNA hands down.

I'd not recommend becoming a LPN because the mindset is different.

Doing a year or two as a CNA will give you skills in "handling" patients. That is very valuable.

Consider your education options. Perhaps you're looking at a Community College which has both programs. Make an appointment with the director of the program and ask their point of view. One once said to me: "don't do the LPN if you want to become RN as we've had lots of problems with people transitioning from the LPN point of view (frame of mind) to the RN point of view.

Today I'd suggest LNA, preferably in a hospital, not in an elderly setting. Why? Because it's safer. Also the hospital is more likely to assist you when you start classes. I think ADN followed by two years of work, followed by an RN>BSN at someplace like WGU is the sweet spot.

Being LNA is soooooooooo valuable in developing "hands." It will make your clinicals (RN) a lot easier.

LPN's also work with patients in the same way that an LNA/CNA does. Now I will say that a NA would get more time with the patients as they are the eyes, ears and hands for the medical team. LPN's will have more abilities then NA's and can also work in the same settings as RN's. LPN's also will have opportunities to bridge into an RN or BSN. While having more time in additional time in clinical's. I have talked to many RN's whom have said that they value there efforts in getting there LPN first because it allowed them to be better nurses. Not saying that any path is wrong just that no the mindset is not different.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I wanted to add the following anecdote from my personal experience:

I was taking rn/ bsn prereqs and decided I needed/wanted experience working in health care.

I completed the Cna program. To make a long story short, every facility I worked at only paid me minimum wage or a buck more. That wasn't working for me, as a career changer nurse wannabe with 3 kids!! Eek!!

I will say that my experiences as a Cna served me well. I enjoyed the work, the pts, observing the nurses. But the pay was horrible.

I then decided that if the opportunity presented itself, I'd switch gears and go to Lvn school.

I did. My pay more than doubled. I gained great experience as well.

Next stop for me is the Lvn to rn bridge program!!

Also want to say that i wouldn't change anything about my long path!!

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

I don't agree that no healthcare experience is the best way to go. I believe that is a route some take, but I worked as a CNA and a Phlebotomist prior to becoming an RN. I noticed that it did hurt me at the beginning of basic nursing courses because I needed to come out of the practical realm and enter the theoretical realm again, but I (along with others that were CNAs), caught onto things much quicker in the clinical setting because we had the experience dealing with people. I would strongly recommend doing something prior to nursing school, but I would advise against becoming an LVN/LPN. The reason being is that its more coursework and much more money. Most, if not all of the time, LVN/LPN classes don't transfer into RN programs so you'd really be taking classes and getting a license for nothing if being an RN is your goal. Think of it as becoming a PA with the ultimate goal of being an MD. Both professions have their merits, but most go for one or the other. Being a CNA would help you get that healthcare experience without breaking the bank or interrupting your school/personal life. No matter what, life is a journey and if you want to be an RN, do what it takes to get your there.

Good Luck,

Dan, MSN, RN, SNP

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Specializes in hospice.
Most, if not all of the time, LVN/LPN classes don't transfer into RN programs so you'd really be taking classes and getting a license for nothing if being an RN is your goal.

This really depends on your community college system. In Maricopa County, LPNs who have their prereqs and coreqs done can apply for advanced placement into 3rd block, and become RNs in one year.

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Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
LNA hands down.

I'd not recommend becoming a LPN because the mindset is different.

Doing a year or two as a CNA will give you skills in "handling" patients. That is very valuable.

Consider your education options. Perhaps you're looking at a Community College which has both programs. Make an appointment with the director of the program and ask their point of view. One once said to me: "don't do the LPN if you want to become RN as we've had lots of problems with people transitioning from the LPN point of view (frame of mind) to the RN point of view.

Today I'd suggest LNA, preferably in a hospital, not in an elderly setting. Why? Because it's safer. Also the hospital is more likely to assist you when you start classes. I think ADN followed by two years of work, followed by an RN>BSN at someplace like WGU is the sweet spot.

Being LNA is soooooooooo valuable in developing "hands." It will make your clinicals (RN) a lot easier.

Being a CNA in a CA hospital, fresh off certification and not of a certain/bilingual group is nearly impossible - unless you are in Kern County or something...

Getting a CNA job in a hospital is sometimes harder than new-grad RN... lol

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