LPN Student debating completing CNA instead

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

I am a second semester LPN student and am having very many hardships within this 8-week semester vs our usual 15-weeks. I have failed my first two exams of the summer semester and there is not enough time in the day to study as much as I am needing to. Lots of personal things arising at the same time, and other financially straining things. I am withdrawing from the clinical portion and am going to solely focus on theory for the remaining of the month...

I have completed one course prior to getting accepted into the program, leaving me only 3 more to complete for my CNA or 4 more to complete my acute PCT certificate. Have any of you done this before?

I just remember falling so in love with LTC my first semester and miss it. I also miss working and hate living one student loan disbursement to the next because I am not a person who can do a full-time LPN program and work at the same time. I have a plan to go for my CNA or my PCT certificate and then transferring to another college to complete my pre-reqs for the RN program in my area. I could have either of those in one semester's time and can be working, and enjoying what I do, while I work towards my optimal goal. I am not having that great of a support system with this decision, for whatever their reasons may be! Just looking for some comfort from those who have lacked a support system through their hardships and whatnot, as well as someone who may have decided to drop LPN to pursue CNA while working on their RN instead...

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Specializes in Geriatric and Mental Heath.

Personally, I would not quit. I know how hard it was for me to get into to nursing school in the first place. I would have to be dying in order to call it quits.

You never know what can happen in life. If you quit something now, you may not be able to finsh later. Sometimes you can, but that's not ALWAYS the case.

You put so much time and effort in your LPN program. You got this far, don't quit now.

If you are sick or someone is dying in your family, or some other life shattering this is happening i can understand you not being able to focus on your studies.

im not sure what is going on in your life, so i can't give you the BEST advice.

BUT..

failing a couple of tests (if you still have the ability to pass the course) and Being broke (like me) would not be enough to stop me from going to school. i'd live in a box and keep my nose in my books until a graduated.

life isnt always easy. sometimes you gotta crawl though a tunnel of sh*t to get to the light on the other side.

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Personally, I would not quit. I know how hard it was for me to get into to nursing school in the first place. I would have to be dying in order to call it quits.

You never know what can happen in life. If you quit something now, you may not be able to finsh later. Sometimes you can, but that's not ALWAYS the case.

You put so much time and effort in your LPN program. You got this far, don't quit now.

If you are sick or someone is dying in your family, or some other life shattering this is happening i can understand you not being able to focus on your studies.

im not sure what is going on in your life, so i can't give you the BEST advice.

BUT..

failing a couple of tests (if you still have the ability to pass the course) and Being broke (like me) would not be enough to stop me from going to school. i'd live in a box and keep my nose in my books until a graduated.

life isnt always easy. sometimes you gotta crawl though a tunnel of sh*t to get to the light on the other side.

Ditto, what Darkstar said.

Best wishes for you!

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I am pretty sure if you finish the first term of your LPN you can challange the CNA without taking the class. I did it.

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

Thanks everyone! I am staying in the program. I withdrew from the clinical portions and am keeping theory. I will complete the clinical portion next semester, depending on the amount of clinical space they have. I also have a job interview tomorrow for a CNA position for home health care. This is bound to ease my financial stress a little, if I land the job. It's hard living off of a financial aid check, then running out of funds and having to ask others for gas money and whatnot, when they aren't all too willing to help. I currently have a 62 in Med/Surg I and only have three more exams and a final to pull this up...I am going to try my best. There is a lot going on in my life as a while right now, but you guys are right. I just could not stomach the thought of withdrawing from the program I've worked so hard to get in and to stay in. Thanks for the encouraging words!

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Specializes in Home Health.

Stick out the LPN. Hard work pays off. Get tutoring, study group, teachers help, ect. Thts only two tests. CNA pay 10.50hr LPN pay 24$hr what would you prefer? Just look at the light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck, keep faith, and you won't regret it. It was the hardest thing that I've done in life to date. Then the Nclex but I can proudly say that I am MTL, PN now. I'm going back for my BSN now! It's a life changer. Nursing school in itself opens your eyes, mind, and heart. I believe in you gf!

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I worked full time as a CNA while in nursing school and do not recall enjoying it so much. My coworkers and the environment saw to that. I would not recommend that you quit what you have already started. It is quite possible that something happens that might cause you to have your nursing future interrupted. You don't want to end up plateauing as a CNA when you could have at least become an LPN.

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Specializes in CNA/LPN.

Thanks everyone! I got the job, but will not be working full-time. I am going to continue on for my LPN with whatever it takes. This will be enough ease my financial stress and give me a sense of feeling like I can do for myself more often, rather than asking others for gas money or money for needs. I did what I felt I needed to do at this time. I may still live at home with my parents, but they do not give anything freely or without complaining, even with being a full-time nursing student, so I must work and am fortunate that it is related to healthcare, considering I do not have any experience and am not certified.

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