Ridge AB

Hello, I am attending a CNA class which is about 4-5 weeks long. I did this, because it is a good foundation starting point for nursing. Which other courses could I take to build skills for me to be more familiar with nursing? I was thinking phlebotomy, also. Are there any other short term courses I could take that are related to what nurses do? I'm talking about up to atleast 6 months schooling MAX. I am asking, because I want to beef up a resume when I actually attend a LPN course and go looking for a job. I would have a much more advantage over the others who did not have job related experience. As I have read on this site, people want to hire more experienced nurses rather than the newer not so experienced nurses. I am not saying CNAs and Phlebotomists are nurses, but they are similar job titles. I understand that if you are a CNA or Phlebotomist or whatever else you cannot call yourself a nurse unless you are Licensed or Registered. Or else you could get yourself into deep trouble. Thanks for any input, Ridge

Thank you and I wish you luck! :)

That's what I was thinking, if I become a CNA first I would be familiar in a healthcare setting first and also have some networks too. Thank you for replying!

Ok I will do that! I don't think it is a for profit school. It has a partnership with our county high schools. What I meant to say was, my pre-entrance exam, I ranked nearly superior in almost all the things I have been tested on, such as Biology, Chemistry, Math, medical word spelling, etc. My other test results in my high school classes aren't all that great. :/ I have a big problem with test taking, which is why she questioned it. She did give me papers to a free program that "preps" us for taking the LPN course, so I am definitely going to attend whether I choose the CNA or LPN. I believe this is the only place around my area that has the LPN course it seems like the average cost for the program which is $13,000. Thank you for your response!

Hello everyone! I've been waiting years with sleepless nights for this moment to come. I am finally graduating high school at the beginning of next month and I've always thought of being a nurse. I recently took a pre-entrance exam at a technical school and went to an interview with the LPN nursing coordinator. She seemed surprised at how decent my test results and school grades were, but she was thinking about how organized I am in high school to continue to the LPN program she saw that my grades are good, but my test results from the classes are bad, she worries because there a lot of tests she gives out through the program. I told her I can be at times disorganized and I am sometimes a little jittery in some classes already. She recommended me to become a CNA first, before attempting to become a LPN. I believe I am motivated enough to do the LPN course, but what if I can't do it? So what I am asking is, should I take the CNA course first then attempt to become a LPN? I understand a Certified Nurses Aide by legal terms is not a nurse, so would my CNA experience reflect on job applications and give me an advantage over new graduates that did not have any experience? I ask this, because I know there is no actual "shortage" if you look anywhere, new nurses are having a hard time finding a job. All the employers don't want to hire new grads they want the experienced nurses. I go through the job ads every week and they only seem to want to hire people with 1-3+ years experience. Another problem I have is I'll have to work and attend full time as a LPN student if I go. I don't think I would be able to mentally handle that type of situation. So what do you all think I should do? Do you have any tips? Sorry for my wall of text:o. Thoughts are greatly appreciated! - Ridge

Hey everyone. I am soon going to apply for a LPN program in a local technical school. Is it any different than going to a college? My school nurse said going to a technical school is actually better than going to college for this program. Why do you think she said that? She really did not explain why. Pros and Cons compared to Tech school and College? Replies appreciated! ~Ridge.

From many things that I've read, you first need to get you BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing), then your Masters. After that, you will need to work 2 year minimum in a specific area (not sure what this is called). Then after that you may go to school to become a Nurse Practitioner. This is in the State of PA though. It may differ from state to state. Also, they are APN, so they may make more than other nurses (LPN,RN). A lot of times the more education the better the pay, but not always necessarily true. It just depends where you are. To be honest, if you are going into nursing. I would not look at the pay and say this is why I am doing this. You must be very motivated to do the work. Being a nurse is a highly stressful job. I am not saying that is what you're doing. But I see that's what informational sites try to do. Mention the high pay and sometimes forget to mention how stressful nursing may be. Motivation is the key! [i do not claim to be a nurse of any kind. I am just going by information that I have read over time.] [Edit]: I don't know if you was talking about the LPN or NP, since this is the LPN section and you said NP. LPN/LVN - Are lower degreed nurses that expanded during WWII when militaries needed nurses, but it took too long to get people educated for RN. So they came up with the LPN. The average salary is about 35,000 - 40,000 (give some take some). But they can do the same thing RNs may do, with some exceptions. They do work under the RN and Dr. NP/CRNP - Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice nurses. Which require many more years of education. They may act as a Doctor in communities and provide healthcare. Prescribe medication in some states, diagnose. They also can work under the direction of Drs. It's their decision. Their average salary is 92,000 USD a year throughout the U.S. *Please correct me if any of my information is incorrect.