Need advice from wise cna

[californiadreaming]

Here's my question:

Would you go the LPN route if you feel the RN program is too hard for someone without a med background? Perhaps work as a LPN for 6 months then go through the mobility program.

Which option should I choose:

1) Go for LPN Fall 2009, work as LPN then take microbiology and *math 100 prior to the RN mobility, Fall 2010

*per the state, all RN applicants will need Math 100 effective Fall 2010 (I hate math!!!)

3) Go for RN Fall 2009 (have A in math 116; Math 100 not required at this time) take Microbiology this summer then apply for Fall 2009 RN class OR

4) Take microbiology this summer, take a "Patient Care Assistant/CNA" 1 semester class Fall 2009, work as CNA then apply for RN Spring or Summer, 2010 and bypass the LPN/mobility route and Math 100 requirement entirely.

..I don't want to flunk out of the RN program....heard LPN is much easier....would working as LPN or CNA help with RN clinicals... THE ONLY REASON I AM CONSIDERING THE MOBILITY LPN ROUTE IS THE FEAR OF FLUNKING CLINICALS!!

I need some advice from those wiser than me!!

[xstarsfallingx]

To be honest, if you're only worried about failing clinicals (not lectures) then don't let that stop you from going the direct RN route. The point of clinicals is to TEACH you about all the medical aspects. They know you are learning, and that is what your time in the hospital is for. Although people do fail their clinical rotations sometimes, it is not easy to do. Serious deficits in patient safety and privacy have to occur, or chronic unprofessionalism.

As for working as a CNA, you qualify at many hospitals once you have completed your first semester of nursing school...so don't waste your time taking the CNA course. In our program, that meant we only did 8 weeks of clinicals (Med Surg 1) before we could work in the hospital, since our first 8 weeks was skills lab...so you'll be able to jump into a job fairly quickly.

Hospital time truly helps more on the theory aspect, since you have real-life examples to draw from when answering questions and learning material. Your clinical rotations are the time for you to use what you have learned and get comfortable in the hospital. Don't stress! Even LVNs and medical assistants have a learning curve when the hit the floor as an RN student!

I work as a CNA now, but only began during my second year. Does it help? A bit, but it doesn't give such a huge advantage that I think you should put aside starting a program in order to get the experience. Where I see the most benefit is in my time management and understanding the dynamic with the staff. I currently work at the hospital I will be doing my new grad residency at, so it helps tremendously in that aspect. I can go directly into focusing on my job instead of orienting myself to a hospital, getting to know the RNs, etc.

Long story short...don't let your lack of medical background stop you from starting an RN program. You'll learn along the way, that's the point!

[shaynoble]

I'm currently a CNA going through the LPN program simply because I didn't get accepted in the RN. The best advice I've gotten is to try for the RN program as soon as you can. There are plenty of students that are in my school's RN program that have never worked a day of their life in health care. They have a little harder time with clinicals and lab, but they get through it. YOu just have to have determination.

If you try for the RN program and don't get it, apply for the LPN program. I applied for both at the same time so I was sure to get into one. If you go this route, just remember. If you get through the LPN courses and work as an LPN for a while, maybe just a year, you will have so much more knowledge about what to do to go back for the RN. If I were you I would try for the LPN just because you will have experience to go for the RN.

As for clinicals, the instructor is not going to let you do something on your own they don't feel you're comfortable with. They will be with you the whole time. After all, their license is on the line too. They won't let you do anything they don't think you can do. You just have to trust in yourself.

I was scared to death before nursing school. I didn't know how to put a catheter in, give shots, do anything except basic CNA work and was scared to death. But, you learn everything in lab, with instructors with you watching you and testing you. You'll be fine. Just get some confidence!