need advice on how to start

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Hello everyone!

I am interested in pursuing a nursing career. I am a 38 year old female who has spent the last 20 years working in the music/entertainment business. I have never finished my associate's and only have a few credits (if any at all - I was offered a job a few months into community college and withdrew from my courses).

I am looking to start nursing as soon as possible, and would like to work in the field while continuing my eductation. I was thinking of the following path:

CNA -> bridge program to LPN -> bridge program to RN. I do not have the time or resources to attend school full time at the moment.

My question to you wise nurses and nursing students: is this a good idea? I know CNAs make very little, but I think it would also be good experience. Would that help me when applying to the bridge program to LPN?

Has anyone else gone this route? Can you recommend any alternatives for someone who will need to work full time while going to school?

I am trying to reach the schools in my area (NYC) but since it's just before the fall session, I am not getting much guidance aside from things like "attend our open house next spring". Any advice on how I can knock out prerequisites during this time, get as much out of the way now as possible would be greatly appreciated!

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Well...My summer semester just finished and I think fall is about to start at most schools. You should do an online application at a community college and sign up to start taking classes. You can start with your science classes. If you have some of your AA classes then you should be fine starting with those science classes and maybe take a placement test for the math and english. Most require at least Ant. 1 & 2 with labs and Chemistry and/or micro. I would start with those while you do your researching.

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OP, I did not even know that there were CNA-LPN programs. My advice would be to pick a school or two that you are interested in and take a look at their pre-reqs. Some programs view healthcare experience when accepting students and some do not. I would look at the most common universal pre-reqs (like math, english comp, anatomy etc.) and work on those.

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Specializes in Hospice.
OP, I did not even know that there were CNA-LPN programs. My advice would be to pick a school or two that you are interested in and take a look at their pre-reqs. Some programs view healthcare experience when accepting students and some do not. I would look at the most common universal pre-reqs (like math, english comp, anatomy etc.) and work on those.

That was my thought too. Never heard of a CNA/LPN bridge. I think ENG courses that you took previously would count still, but sciences have an expiration date when it comes to your pre reqs. You may have remedial (developmental) Math, English and sciences to take before you can pick up some of your pre reqs. I did, because I had been out of school for so long! My brain was mush. But I'm 49, so if I could get through pre reqs and get accepted to RN school, so can anyone.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Welcome Mschips!!!

As someone who has been a NA, LPN, and RN, I will help clarify a few things for you:

There is no CNA to LPN bridge program...most 1st semester nursing classes-PN and RN programs- equates to a CNA course. You can pay for a CNA course and begin working as a CNA while working on your preq's.

What option do you want to take? I enjoyed my years as a LPN; the specialties that I worked in did not permit LPNs to become certified, so RN was the next step in my career.

If you want flexibility, I suggest going for the RN...you are also in a area where the motto is "BSN preferred", so I suggest the BSN...however it depends on your circumstances.

The best thing to do is to go to open houses for area colleges and universities that have nursing programs, then see if you can interview them one on one. Research the pre req's and if you want to begin coursework, you can register for Spring 2014 if you are prepared-meaning you signed up at a local community college, took an entrance exam, and can begin coursework.

I am in favor of your option to get your foot in the door becoming a CNA, and go from there.

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