Hope Marie

I don't know how to give kudos, but if I did you'd get my first one! I am waiting to sit for my CNA exam (scheduled for August 29th) and I start my LPN program in October. I've been working with CNAs who have been CNAs for more than 10 years, some 20. They are great at what they do (just don't do as they do and expect to pass your State exam) but I would never think that they were ready to be nurses. I respect them, but I wouldn't want them treating me without more education.

You can find an LPN program which is a year, that could get you working as a nurse at least.

If you can afford it, it's always best to have your own equipment. That way you not only know the tricks of it, but you always know where to find it . For Oregon, BP and TPR are a required skill and one of them is sure to be on your state skills test so it was worthwhile for me to have my own. I finished my classes last week and take my exam on the 29th of August.

It was important to me to be a CNA before entering my LPN program begins. This was because 1, I know there is so much basic care you learn as a CNA that is not covered in nursing school and 2, it wouldn't hurt to start clocking hours in my Danskos as on the floor working experience for when I graduate as a new LPN and need to find a job. I did just find out that at the end of the first semester of my program, you can send your information to the state to sit for the state exam for certification as a CNA. I don't know if this is common now that many schools are not requiring CNA for admission, just points towards it. I graduated from classes and clinicals today and will sit for my state test on August 29th. Goodtime Girl is correct though, you cannot call yourself certified or become certified just by completing your first term/semester of school. Certification can only come from the state.