ImDoingIt

In Illinois having a cna license is now a prerequisite for nursing school, so getting it won't be a waste.

What did you decide to do? I considered clc but it's really hard to get into their nursing program. I'm going to go to Northbrook for lpn and then do a bridge to bsn program online offered by Indiana university. I'm just finishing my prereqs this spring so hopefully I'll be able to start lpn in the summer. Northbrook doesn't have a waiting list, you just have to pass the TEAS to get in, which shouldn't be an issue if you already have a degree. They don't accept financial aid, but they do accept grants from the WIA program if you qualify. Good luck!

Thanks! I'm just concerned about getting into the rn program. Competition is fierce here!

If it's grades, I would consider working as a cna to gain some experience and meet some mentors that can be a guide. Nursing is very competitive so don't take the rejection personally. If you want this profession then do everything you can to get it, but be PATIENT. You may have to wait awhile to reapply so while you wait get your grades, experience, and most of all your attitude up! You can do it!!!

Yes my current program is a bachelor's but of arts not science. The closest university I can go to is about an hour away for BSN which is why online works better for me. If I stay at Ashford to finish and then go for BSN it'll be about 4 years.

Hello Everyone! My ultimate goal is health education and/or public health. I've been going to Ashford University online in their health education program and realized that even with that degree I won't be able to get the job I want without being an RN. I've decided to leave Ashford and go to nursing school but now I have a bunch of options ahead of me. Since I'm considered low income, I qualify for a $10k grant for school. The main thing is how do I use it. Option 1: Use the grant to get my CNA/MA certs, to cover my cna prerequisite while I finish my year at Ashford then transfer to the CC and take another semester of prereqs and pray I pass the nln and get in. Time: Assuming no waiting list and I pass the nln the first time, about 3 years to complete. Option 2: Pay for the cna out of pocket while I finish at Ashford, then use the grant for rn, although there's another grant that I qualify for that's for rn school only. Time: same as above. Option 3: Finish my year at Ashford to complete my lvn prereqs, pay out of pocket for the cna, use the grant to get an lvn at a tech school (cc doesn't offer it), then do the lvn-rn bridge online. Time: no waiting list or nln, so about 2.5 years to rn. After RN it'll be on to BSN, then to a MSN/MPH as the ultimate goal. Because of my health (kidney transplant patient) I don't plan to work a clinical job long term. I realize I need experience, though, so I'll be working once I get the cna. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!