Looking for guidance :)

RN and Mommy · Jun 29, 2006

I'm going to be taking a CNA course at my local college starting in August.
In the mean time I will be working part time doing home care for seniors so when I become certified in Dec. I'll have at least some experience under my belt. I would then like to take the CNA to LVN to RN to etc path.
Because of my family and financial situation I cannot afford to take time off or money to go to school full time. I have found alot of LVN to RN online courses on the internet. Are there any CNA to LVN online courses??
What is the quickest way to go from CNA to LVN without going to school full time? Or... is there another path that you would recommend.
Thank you all so much, not only for your support, but for the jobs you do in caring for people. I have always held nurses in the highest regards and feel so honored to finally have an oppourtunity to possibly join you in the ranks...but I have to do it FAST before my oppourtunity is gone.
Take care & bless you all :)

I haven't heard of any CNA courses online, but I know one of the colleges in my area has an evening CNA program! Good Luck!

miachris · Jun 29, 2006

I'm already set up with the CNA course. What I'm actually looking for is a LVN/LPN course online. Thanx for your fast response though

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

Even if their was an online course, I wouldn't recommend it. And plus you would need to be in a classroom setting for labs and then you have clinicals...which are always in the morning/day. Nursing is hard....you really need an instructor in person doing the teaching.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2006

I'm already set up with the CNA course. What I'm actually looking for is a LVN/LPN course online. Thanx for your fast response though

because of the HUGE difference between cna and lpn i don't think there is a such thing as a cna to lpn online. there are only a few things that a lpn can't do that a rn can so they are similar, but a cna is certified but not licensed.

cna can be obtained in a few weeks where as all the lpn courses that i know of take 1 1/2 - 2 years to obtain. back in the 90's you could find some 12 month tech programs for lpn, but i don't know of any out there today (maybe there are).

anyway, my advice would be to talk to the financial aide dept. there are lots of grants and loans that you may qualify for. another option would be signature loans that wouldn't have to be paid back until 6 months after you graduated (then you would start paying them back). another GREAT option that many people dismiss is the military....it is NOT for everyone, but they have outstanding opportunities! the army has one program that pays $1000 for each month until you graduate, then you can get a sign on bonus, you serve your time where you can get more FREE training and more money for school, but like i said, the military is not for everybody!

just don't give up. if you really want to be a nurse, i'd say do it. i work as a cna, my wife is a stay at home mom and we have two kids...did i mention that i work as a CNA....pay is NOT high! but we live a simple life with NO frills. some people are not willing to do that so they say "i can't do that" but we all have choices. my choice is to suffer now and enjoy life after i graduate next year. yes that's right, two years have already flew by and next year i will be an RN. i did it and YOU can too...you just have to find the way.

if you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

sincerely,

jay