Pre-Nursing Advisement

laurashley · Oct 25, 2011

Well that's pretty much what I'm doing. I am currently in a CNA class and take my exam in Febuary and then I'm going to take classes until I can get into the RN program in my school, after that I plan to transfer to a school that offers BSN. It is really hard to get into the RN program at my school so I may just transfer to the other school. But I know at my school you need to have your CNA before you can be an RN. I also can't wait to quit my horrible job and be in the health care field too.

mmink · Oct 25, 2011

Thanks LauraAshley. I appreciate your feedback. I'm glad I'm not the only one out there with the same plan. :)

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Oct 26, 2011

I'm also going pretty similar to the same route as well! It's always refreshing to meet others who are doing the same (there doesn't seem to be many of us! )

I'm currently in my last semester of pre-reqs for the LPN program. I wish I would have went for my CNA certification first, but I will be doing so, if I'm waitlisted for the LPN program at my CC. After I complete my LPN, I'll also be transferring to another college to pursue my ADN or my BSN. I haven't quite fully decided on which route I'm going with that just yet. The waitlist is insane for both of those programs at this college, but it's the only best (there's only two that offer ADN/BSN) within a 2 hour radius of my location that offers the degree. So I'm torn in that aspect.

Becoming a CNA first is definitely the way to go if you're wanting to go ahead and get a job in the healthcare field. Good luck! Many people may try to discourage you, not on purpose by any means - but sometimes it's hard for people to understand why we'd choose such a route, but it's all about what works for US! I wish you the best of luck! Go for it. :)

mmink · Oct 26, 2011

Thanks Iridescent Orchid! I really feel good about my decision. I'm so excited to start! I'm really nervous too. Scared to fail, nervous about time management, but excited to learn and start my new career. I've been researching nursing entrance exam study guides for the HESI A2 test that I need to take as one of my pre-req for admittance to the LPN program. I'm 29 years old and haven't been to school since high school so I hope I'm not in over my head. I would really like to keep in touch if you're interested. I really don't have anyone I can relate to when comes to being a nursing student. My email is [email protected]. Hope to hear from you!

:yeah:

KToya03 · Oct 26, 2011

Hi,

I jus read your post & im sooo excited to kno i am not alone. I am moving cross country to Arizona frm Delaware & i am so scared to start classes at Phoenix College. I'm 26 & also pregnant (jus found out) :uhoh21: so this is a pretty big step for me. I also plan to do my whole nursing career there then try to get into a Neo-Natal program in a near by hospital. Hopefully things go well. I'm planning to start my pre-reqs this winter and give birth in early june so i can jus take the summer off. I do understand that this will be difficult doing things by myself but I think i will be able to handle it. If you have any advice at all then plllleeeaasssee give it up!!! Thnks! :rolleyes:

RonnieDita · Oct 27, 2011

Hey everyone!!! :0)

I am a CNA, certified last January through the Red Cross. I started my pre-reqs in Spring 11 and I'll be done with them in December. I did not end up getting a job at any of the hospitals in my area. I live in Orange County, CA and most hospitals use volunteers to do a lot of CNA work as well as the student nurses in my area. TONS OF THEM! But, I love working in assisted living/SNF. I am still gaining experience and I think its a great way to go. It really helped me to decide if I want to be in this field. I'll be applying to schools in January and Im taking the TEAS V in Nov or Dec. I am sooooo nervous. I have been highly contemplating going thru an LVN program. Do you guys think thats the best route? I just dont know if that would prolong the process even further for me? I guess I could apply though just in case I don't get into any schools here.... But, everyone talks about waiting lists in OC but the only school that has one is Santa Ana College....

Im just rambling now but I was excited to see there are others who are CNA's first and then going to or thinking about LVN while they wait for RN

ChristyMarie89 · Oct 27, 2011

hi everyone,

i am researching nursing schools right now. can you tell me what is the advantage of becoming a CNA first? also how long where you in school to become a CNA? right now i am looking getting my BSN. I found a school that offers this and your done in a little over 3 years. just wondering what some advantages are.

mamie981 · Oct 28, 2011

Hello Everyone,
I need some advice on what's the best way to pursue my nursing. Here's what I think my plan is...
Attend CNA program, complete this course and hopefully get a position in a hospital. Work the weekends and continue to LPN program (50 week course). Then from there, pursue on to a associates degree program which offers a concurrent enrollment for a BSN.
My goal is try to avoid the 2 year wait list. The LPN program doesn't have a wait and then I figured I can apply for advanced placement for the associates degree program at my local community college.
I need to continue to work while going to school. I figured by becoming a CNA first will help jump into nursing right away so I can quit my boring 8 - 5 job.
Any advice is much appreciated!
Thank you,
Michelle M. from Chandler, AZ:)

Hi, Michelle

:) It's nice to now other people are in my sort of situation too, I can't wait to quit my boring sit at a desk all day 8-5 too! Im still looking for work as cna though, nobody wants to hire full time it seems. But I have to continue working full time for a while and go to school part time for my pre-reqs for the LPN, Im looking at a different school for the LPN, since I can't get into the LPN at my CC until Fall 2014! :uhoh3:

mmink · Oct 28, 2011

@RonnieDita

If you have all other pre-reqs done to get into the RN program then I dont think going to a LPN/LVN program will prolong getting your RN degree. Especially, since there's a waiting list. I guess it depends how quickly you want into jump into your nursing career.

mmink · Oct 28, 2011

@ChristyMarie89

If you're like me and need to work as you pursue your nursing career/education...becoming a CNA will get you into the field quickly and get you into working nurse shifts like 6-6 or 7-7 days/nights so you can go to school during the day or vice versa if you have that flexibility with your nursing program. Depending on the CNA programs offered in your area, you can complete a CNA course in 3 weeks. The program I will going through has a weekend course, weekday/weeknight classes which is really nice.

Going for your BSN is a wise choice, more and more facilities are requiring and preferring nurses with a bachelors degree. You may want to look into community colleges that offer a concurrent enrollment program where you can earn your associates and bachelors at the same time.

Hope this helps!

Michelle

kdrm · Oct 28, 2011

Some programs require that you have CNA certification, some require CNA experience, some give extra points in the admission process for one or the other, and some don't care at all. It all depends on your program. But if you live in a saturated market for nurses right now, you're more likely to get hired as a new graduate with CNA experience.