Quickest/best way to become a nurse and make money during the process - HELP!

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Hello everyone,

I posted this in the Illinois Nursing forum but didn't get any bites, and NEED the advice (also don't know how to link it to here instead of starting this new topic...).

I have just enrolled myself into my local community college to take the pre-req science (anatomy & physiology + chemistry courses with lab) to be able to apply into an accelerated BSN program, as I already have a BS from the UofI. However, I am wondering if after my completed courses or during their completion if I should take the right course(s) to become a CNA first (then enter an ADN program, then ADN-BSN), as my current situation is 1. poor, 2. living at home, and 3. in need of a GOOD paying job (my definition of good is essentially something that will pay me a little more than minimum wage and hopefully get me out of my parents house within a year). In addition to this, I feel it is easier to get a daytime/evening part-time job somewhere while becoming a CNA versus trying to work and complete an ACCL BSN program, thoughts? I understand the CNA-BSN route is a longer one than the ACCL BSN, but I need to start making decent money and I figure the sooner I do that, the easier it will be to start paying off my past and upcoming (for continued education) loans. I also realize once you are fresh out of becoming a CNA, you don't make as much as one with a year+ experience. How easy is it to get a job as a CNA? What are your typical options (as far as the environment/position you work in)?

ANY advice would be GREATLY appreciated; the more opinions and personal experiences, the better.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Where in llinois are you? Would the WGU pre-licensure program be an option? (Available in Indiana - I have student who travel in for their clinicals and simulation from as far away as Pittsburgh, PA)

A CNA job would give you needed experience, and some flexibility to do the program.

Just a thought

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I think that going the CNA route would benefit anyone who doesn't have hands-on healthcare experience. Plus, if you're smart, you can *theoretically* make connections that may be helpful when you are a RN.

I don't know the programs in IL, but I know that here in CA, the state university programs will allow second bacc students, AND many of them are going to 2 years, so it's not much longer than an accelerated program. My program was 2 years for a traditional BSN. Many of my classmates worked as CNAs during the program, and CNA certification was required before we started.

There are a variety of positions you could work as a CNA, but most seem to end up in LTC. You get good skills this way, and you work with RNs and LVNs some. If you can get into a hospital, all the better, but I imagine that takes some experience.

I wouldn't do all the bridge programs if you can avoid it. It would just take longer, and potentially cost you more money.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

My advice would be to do the CNA training, then work on getting into a BSN program. The CNA will give you practical nursing skills & bedside experience with patients, which is very helpful for a future nurse. In some areas (like in California where I live), the RN market is saturated, so you have to be a couple steps ahead of the crowd...I have several friends who had an easier time getting jobs out of nursing school with MA or CNA job experience under their belt.

The LTC, Sub Acute care, Home health aid and assistant living CNA jobs are easier to come by but If you are not too keen on working with older adults, which is what CNA's primarily do, you can get a job as a CNA at a hospital (you need 6 months-1 year experience to work at a hospital usually though) and work as a floating staff or on call CNA or look for CNA jobs in specialty department that you are interested in.

I am starting a CNA program next week, then taking care of my prerequisites and hoping to apply to WGU in 2016 and working as a CNA through nursing school :-)

Good Luck to you! Please update us on what you ended up deciding!

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I live in the northern Chicago suburbs in Illinois. I've actually not heard of the WGU program until now, so I'll be sure to check it out and weigh it as another option.

I have also seen accelerated BSN programs taking just as long as traditional second bacc degrees, I wonder if doing a second bacc is any cheaper than the accelerated programs?

I think I will definitely go ahead and take the CNA course to get my foot in the door and gain some experience, I would certainly much rather be in a hospital setting but I know of a friend who could get me into a LTC facility where she works and loves! I have some trepidation about becoming a CNA only because I have also heard from an RN's perspective that they can work just as hard as RN's but obviously get paid much much less, but if it means gaining worthwhile experience and connections, I don't see how I could pass it up.

I didn't know bridge programs could end up costing me MORE than accelerated/second bacc/traditional BSN programs! Definitely seems like something I should avoid if that's the case.

Thank you all so much for your responses!

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Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

Yep I know, I was shocked too to find out that bridge programs are sometimes more expensive than just going straight into a BSN program!

WGU is a 2 1/2 year program. I decided on WGU because of it's flexibility, which is what I need due to having 2 kids and I'll need to work through nursing school. Most nursing schools in my area, you can't really work and go to nursing school, you have to put all your time into nursing school. I also like that the clinicals with WGU are 1-on-1, rather than a group situation, I think that allows for better learning and practical experience.

CNA's do work VERY hard. But even if you only stick with it for a year, it will be a nice boost on your nursing resume and allow you to get great hands on experience and help you develop a strong skill set. And once you work as a CNA for a bit, if you can get into a hospital as a CNA the pay is a little better usually $2-3 more than an LTC, Assisted living or Skilled Nursing places pay.

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Penny-wise, pound foolish. I hear you about being in a hurry to be getting out of the parental units' house, but if you fart around with CNA > ADN > BSN, it will take you longer to get where you want to be in the long run. Suck it up and live with them a little longer than you planned -- think of all the money you'll be saving on rent and food, even if you are chipping in, as you should be-- and then look at your salary when you're done. You have a long career ahead of you-- in ten years, one more won't mean diddly.

Make a spreadsheet that compares all income and outgo for all plans, and then look out a few years and you'll have a better idea.

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Specializes in None yet..

I think it's worth getting your CNA and working. If you're lucky, you'll be able to work in a place where you'd like to be an RN but even if not, it's great experience and can be relatively well-paying if you do per diem or float and/or eve/night work.

If it were me, I'd go right to BSN if that were my ultimate goal. My local university has an accelerated BSN degree for those who already have a BA or BS degree. It actually finishes sooner than the two-year ADN program.

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I think it's worth getting your CNA and working. If you're lucky, you'll be able to work in a place where you'd like to be an RN but even if not, it's great experience and can be relatively well-paying if you do per diem or float and/or eve/night work.

If it were me, I'd go right to BSN if that were my ultimate goal. My local university has an accelerated BSN degree for those who already have a BA or BS degree. It actually finishes sooner than the two-year ADN program.

I agree entirely. Most of the new grads I was hired with got their BSNs while living at home and working as PCTs on the floor. They completed an internship at our hospital and were hired as RNs once they were licensed. Connections are a good thing to have, and being wise about where you're spending your money is as well.

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Sorry, off subject, but where can a CNA make at least $16-18/hr with no acute care experience and besides at a correctional facility?

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Sometimes... flexibility and a bit of sacrifice on your part is key to achieving the huge goal of becoming a nurse. If it isn't life or death, you just gotta "suck it up" as a previous poster mentioned and stick it out for a few years, if not less. Besides, those years will go by really quickly once you are in the program. But for now I'd focus on making the grades to get into your desired program. This is actually where all your energy should be going to - getting accepted into a program.

Many of my colleagues did NOT get into their desired program for a myriad of reasons, but one that really makes me sad is that one of them COULD'VE done it if she wasn't so busy juggling prereqs, work, and a social life/relationship. She was staying at parent's home, rent-free, no kids, no mortgage, and generally had low expenses all-around - in my opinion, she is VERY lucky. But voluntarily worked a minimum-wage office job (non-healthcare) that was causing stress and headaches and distractions for 30-40+ hours a week. The job was also a 1.5 hour commute EACH way. In this case, this was a pretty poor decision because it really showed in her grades, as well as her entrance exam. As her good friend, I really knew that she could've played this a lot smarter and ditched the minimum wage job and focused on studies. The trade-off is really something to think about though - minimum wage job or nursing school? Which is worth more?

Obviously if you have bills to pay, mouths to feed, etc that is a completely different story. Basically the long-winded point I'm trying to make is that - if you don't have to, don't. But if you do, manage your time well and make your studies top priority.

PS Also I've heard that you can work as a CNA or nurse tech once you've completed first semester clinicals. You probably don't have to take the class but inquire to find out more in your state forum here.

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Sorry, off subject, but where can a CNA make at least $16-18/hr with no acute care experience and besides at a correctional facility?

Don't think many places offer anywhere close to that

The major hospital system near me pays CNA's $12.05/hour and if you take the evening weekend shift the differentials make it $14.16 an hour

And that's considered AMAZING!

LTC's pay around $9

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