I'm 24 y/o Male and I recently just moved from IL to the Charleston, SC area. I received my a bachelor of kinesiology (major Athletic Training) last May at SIU-Carbondale and wanting to pursue nursing. Nursing was initionally my first instinct to pursue but backed out after being made fun by friends/family constantly of because I would be a male nurse, to them it was jokingly nature but I just got tired of it, etc ( I regret it now obviously ). My ultimate goal now is to become an RN either in an OR or ER setting.
Currently, I'm an Assistant Manager working 40 (usually 50) hours a week making a little over $13/hr and can't afford to make less w/bills, etc. I know my first step toward becoming an RN would be to become a CNA then LPN...and so on ( I think?) but with working so many hours I don't see how I can go back to school and be successful. If I became a CNA I wouldn't be making as much pay as I am now, right, being able to gain experience and getting paid at the same time? Can you do a financial contract (forget the exact name) with a company when you are a CNA to pay for your schooling, etc.
I'm really confused and sorry if some of this doesn't make sense but I'm burnt out trying to figure out what to do....
If you choose to work in the field before RN school, just remember that NS is based on THEORY. What you may have done in a work setting may not be the correct answer on the test. As long as you can keep the two seperate you will do great!
If you choose to work in the field before RN school, just remember that NS is based on THEORY. What you may have done in a work setting may not be the correct answer on the test. As long as you can keep the two seperate you will do great!
That's kinda how it was for Athletic Training from what I learned in the classroom and what went on during my hands on clinicals. Is that what you meant by that or I'm I reading/taking that the wrong way?
Hi and welcome!! I'm an Illinois girl myself and many of my friends went to SIUC(southern)!! I think you could fast track with your BS degree- check into SEIU if you could relocate a little north- they have a great program. Also, Barnes-Jewish and some of the oher "big" ones in St. Louis have programs where they will pay tuition for a commitment of some kind. As for supporting yourself during school, I'd bet the CNA pay is comparable to yours currently, maybe a little less, you certainly do not have to be a CNA. As for LPN, like I said, it might be quicker for you to find some sort of a "fast track" program because you already have a degree. Do some research. And good luck! Keep us posted!
I just started a 2nd Degree BSN Program. I had my degree in Biology/Education before. The program I'm in is at Texas Tech and it requires you to do some science prereqs before starting, in addition to a CNA class. The program only takes one year *Aug-Aug. I'm paying my bills for this year with student loans. I figure the sign on bonuses will more than pay back my loans. I'm sure you can find something similar in Illinois. FYI... BSN is the next step in education after an RN.
each field has its own problems and rewards and you need to follow your heart !i went into a 2 year associate program at a local community college because it was the cheapest way to get where i wanted to be.you don't necessarily need to start as a cna or lpn , i was fortunate enough that in one of my first jobs, the hospital placed all new rns with cnas for a week, then lpns, it really gives you a chance to see how important everyones job is and how necessary we all are ! best of luck !
Just my 2 cents... I believe with your educational background, a 2 year associates program or even an accelerated program (ASN or BSN) would most likely meet your needs. There are colleagues of mine who worked full time, raised children, and went to nursing school all at the same time. It is difficult but possible. You can go directly to RN school without doing CNA or LPN. Some RN programs require CNA cert, but not all. If RN is your goal- just go for that and cut out the middle step is my advice. Good luck!!
Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.
Hello! How do you like Charleston? I'm in Savannah, Ga (about an hour and a half south of you), have visited Charleston lots, and even thought about interviewing there!
My suggestions:
Get your CNA certificate - they make about as much as you do now, so it won't be a pay cut. You might want to look into Unit Secretary training too - they make as much, sometimes more, but you don't get as much hands on experience. Have you thought about doing surgical tech in the OR? CNA can work in both areas, but that's just something else to consider...
As you want to be an RN, I would avoid the LPN (as in many areas they are being phased out, especially in acute care settings), and try to find an Associates Degree in Nursing program --> a two year degree, and you can be an RN. Or you can talk to your local colleges and see if you have enough credits to go ahead and start your BSN. There are lots of programs available for ADN -> BSN or LPN -> RN, but LPN and ADN both take about 2 years, so why not go ahead for the RN?
And it is very possible to work and go to school - you have to be focused, but it's do-able. You might try to hire on to a teaching hospital like MUSC and see if you can get them to pay for your degree. I.E., you work for the hospital for a few years, they pay for your tuition. Works out well if you're going to be working there anyway.
Hello! How do you like Charleston? I'm in Savannah, Ga (about an hour and a half south of you), have visited Charleston lots, and even thought about interviewing there!
My suggestions:
Get your CNA certificate - they make about as much as you do now, so it won't be a pay cut. You might want to look into Unit Secretary training too - they make as much, sometimes more, but you don't get as much hands on experience. Have you thought about doing surgical tech in the OR? CNA can work in both areas, but that's just something else to consider...
As you want to be an RN, I would avoid the LPN (as in many areas they are being phased out, especially in acute care settings), and try to find an Associates Degree in Nursing program --> a two year degree, and you can be an RN. Or you can talk to your local colleges and see if you have enough credits to go ahead and start your BSN. There are lots of programs available for ADN -> BSN or LPN -> RN, but LPN and ADN both take about 2 years, so why not go ahead for the RN?
And it is very possible to work and go to school - you have to be focused, but it's do-able. You might try to hire on to a teaching hospital like MUSC and see if you can get them to pay for your degree. I.E., you work for the hospital for a few years, they pay for your tuition. Works out well if you're going to be working there anyway.
I actually know a girl living in Savannah now that I graduated with @ college. As far as liking Charelston....it's hot lol, but I like it alot.
So I talked to the Dean of the nursing program at Trident Tech and she said since I want to be a RN in the ER I should maybe consider doing their EMT program because that will help me get my foot in the door but I feel like if I did that that's a four month program part-time. Their CNA program is 7 weeks long and I'm going to apply tonight and talk to an advisor next Wednesday and probably do that, look for a job somewhere as a CNA that will pay well. If I find a place that would hire me as a CNA w/good pay should I ask them about them paying for me to become a RN in the future or does that make a bad first impression?
Oh yeah, the dean also said she would doubt or be surprised if I could get more than minimum wage as a CNA even with my background
Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.
There are plenty of CNA jobs available in hospitals, so it won't hurt you a bit to find a job at a facility that will pay for your school. Ask if the facility offers tuition reimbursement. Most teaching hospitals do. It'd be nice for you to get out of school as debt-free as possible!
bimmersbabe
60 Posts
If you choose to work in the field before RN school, just remember that NS is based on THEORY. What you may have done in a work setting may not be the correct answer on the test. As long as you can keep the two seperate you will do great!