medical assisting to RN? Help?

[CherishLifeForever]

I am currently in school for medical assisting (graduate in november) but would like to work my way to RN. I am not sure how to accomplish this. When I started looking I realized that all the schools require CNA first before going on to LPN then RN. Do you have to start at CNA then go to LPN then RN? Or can you just go to school for RN? I also never took ACTs or SATs in high school. I'm lost on how to get where I want to be! Anyone have any advice?

[dpowe003]

Not all schools require you to be a CNA. You should look into both ADN and BSN programs. Both will prepare you to take the licensing exam for RNs. The only difference is that you need a BSN for a management position, and you also need a BSN if you wish to apply for nursing graduate school (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, etc.) If you do go for the ADN degree, ADN to BSN programs do exist out there if you later decide to advance in the nursing field. Either path is good!

I think once you have a few schools in mind that you would like to attend one day, you should explain your situation and then ask them about what you should do to meet their requirements. This will clear up any confusion. I did the same thing when I was getting ready to apply to nursing schools. If there was something I didn't understand just from reading the school's website, I e-mailed them and asked about it (or I called them). Now I'm just waiting for a decision from both schools.

Good luck!