RVTtoRNmaybe

Hi all. I am a 30 year seasoned registered veterinary technician thinking of going to LPN school to get into human nursing and then transitioning into RN school. I have some degenerative disc disease and scolosis in my back due to the DDD. So veterinary medicine has become difficult for me and I am resigned now to a desk job as an RVT. I miss the nursing aspect and am also having a hard time supporting myself as a single mom on a vet tech salary. So, there are many reasons why I am thinking of making the switch. Are there any of you out there who have made the switch? I would love to hear your stories! Do you like your new career? How physically taxing is it on your body? What did your journey from vet med to human med look like? Thank you all in advance! I feel like I am going through a mid life crisis sometimes! LOL

Very inspiring! I was also thinking of going the LPN to RN route, working as a LPN so I can afford RN school. I am currently a LVT in animal medicine and am eager to switch to human medicine. Your story inspires me! Thank you for sharing!

So, here is the situation....I am currently a licensed vet tech and have been so for over 15 years. I am wanting to go back to school to get my ADN. I currently make a decent salary and work overnights at a vet hospital. The opportunity has arisen for me to be able to go to CNA school for a local hospital (paid during school at minimum wage) but then once hired as a CNA a much lower salary than I am making now. I have 4 kids at home under the ages of 12. Is it really necessary to do the CNA thing in order to get into nursing school? If I do the CNA I stand a better chance at getting a scholarship to nursing school through the hospital. Either way I will have to work during nursing school. I just don't know whether the cut in salary is really worth it. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!

I am also scared that CNA work may be something for those with young backs. I am not as fit and limber as I used to be. Anybody else have those concerns? I can't rent a room. My husband and I have 4 kids under the age of 12 between us. So, money is definitely as issue. Thank you for your advice!

Thank you all for the advice! I am still undecided. Thinking about just working as a vet tech nights and going to school during the day for my RN prerequisites then maybe working as a vet tech on weekends while in RN school. I am afraid I will suffer a decrease in salary as a CNA and I think a RN may be closer to what I am used to as a LVT then a CNA. Any more advice would be greatly appreciated? Any former RVTs or LVTs become RNs????

I live in a very rural area. From what I understand just by asking around other nurses, there is no shortage of jobs.

Thank you cheezwizz90, RN! You just answered my question!

I have been a licensed vet tech for over 11 years and an unlicensed one for about 8 years before that. I am contemplating a career change due to low pay, low respect, and no job opportunities where I live. I may have been accepted into a program at the local hospital where they pay for me to become a CNA in exchange for working at the hospital after I pass the board. I was thinking of becoming a CNA first then working at the hospital as a CNA while I take nursing classes so I can get my RN. What are your thoughts on that? I could also work as a vet tech at nights and take classes for my RN during the day. The only problem is with that option is that I am afraid I will lose my "in" opportunity with the hospital. But the pay would definitely be more than a CNA. Any thoughts?