MA to ICU RN, Testing and Advice?

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Hello, I am new to this site. I just started my Medical Assisting program at my local community college. I am in need of a new job and wanted to work in the health field while I go through nursing school. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice for a 22 year old who is just starting college. I want to get a bachelors degree so that I can work in the ICU as a nurse. I know that this requires a lot of schooling, testing, and experience. I am a great learner but a terrible test taker. Has anyone else started school this late? Anyone else struggle through tests? I am new to all of this and would appreciate any advice. (Please keep things positive, I am very excited to enter this career and have thoroughly researched all of the hardwork, dedication, and pros and cons this field brings.) I would just like to hear about everyone's experiences! Thanks :)

You have multiple people telling you that if your end-goal is to become an RN, then skip the MA. People that have years and years of experience.

Maybe you don't want to hear what we're telling you. I know it is difficult to put a lot of effort into choosing a path, and then have people come along and shoot it down. Please consider that maybe heeding that advice would save you great loads of unnecessary hassle and time (and money).

For starters, MA might not be as flexible as you think when trying to get through nursing school. As a CNA, you would have more variety of hours and days-- MA's predominantly work in clinics, offices, and redi-medi's which are essentially M-F 8-5. Guess what hours you will mostly be in classes? Yup, M-F 8-5. Also, the majority of MA work environments are less about actual medical work, and more about office work--telephones, scheduling, sending out labs, making follow-up appointments and referral appt.'s, etc.

Your life, your choice. Best of luck to you in your path forward.

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