Seeking Advice

[maddiesmommy]

Hi everyone. I wanted to get some opinions on what I'm thinking about doing. I eventually want to go to LPN school and become an LPN. I can't do that right now though, not until my youngest starts kindgergarten (which won't be until the year 2010). My mom works at an assisted living facility as a receptionist. One of the LPN's at her work graduated from the very same LPN school I am considering going to. My mom told her that I want to do the same work, and she told my mother that I should maybe look into beoming a GNA to gain the experience, especially prior to schooling. She said that a lot of people that go into the LPN program without any prior experience (which right now would be me :uhoh21: ) can get lost pretty quickly. She said many facilities will pay train you to become a GNA. Is this true?

I saw an ad in my local newspaper that there is an assisted living facility that is hiring nursing assistants F/T & P/T. But it's almost an hour away from me. Right now, I can only work P/T, so I think I might just wait until the first of the year and go around to the local facilities closer to me, and put in applications to work on the days my husband is off (which is every Sunday, Monday & Tuesday) He's already agreed to watch the babies on those days, so I don't have to worry about that.

Do you think this is a good idea? Thanks in advance for any advice/input. :Melody:

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Since you won't be starting until 2010, there's plenty of time to consider this.

They will teach you everything you need to know, so you won't necessarily be "lost". You might be more comfortable working with people and more confident in yourself if you became an NA first and it will definately be an advantage. Most of the people in my clinical group had experience and I felt a little ackward, but I learned fast and it didn't seem to hurt me that I had no experience prior to nursing school.

Do what's best and convenient for you and your family.

Good luck!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

If you are able, take the position or any other one that can take you closer to your goal. Inquire if they will personally certify you to become a CNA or if you need outside training. If they require outside training/certification, then, see if there are any CNA schools in your area and the cost. Here in New York, I don't know of any facilities that will offer training and certification, but that doesn't mean that this is not an option. Best of luck!!

[maddiesmommy]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your opinions greatly. :nuke:

[Plagueis]

I'm not a nurse yet, but as a CNA, I feel that I am able to observe what LPNs and RNs actually do on a daily basis, so I can see for myself if it is something that I really want to do. (It is.) My training program didn't cost me anything, since the state paid for it. However, I know that nursing homes in my area offer free nursing assistant classes to become certified, so you may want to contact your local nursing homes to see if they offer any free training. Of course, I do have to mention that many nursing homes are short staffed when it comes to nursing assistants, and that this is a very stressful job where you can feel overwhelmed at times. (I feel like retiring after less than two years of this work!) However, this job does have the benefit of making me feel like I am actually doing something to help people. :smilecoffeecup:

[wvlpn2]

I started LPN school without any prior experience. It is sometimes best to learn the right way to do things, than to pick up bad habits that are not so easy to break. GOOD LUCK!

[L&D_2b]

I started LPN school without any prior experience. It is sometimes best to learn the right way to do things, than to pick up bad habits that are not so easy to break. GOOD LUCK!

Oh, so true!

However, without prior healthcare experience, it might be better to get your "feet wet" to see if you would really like to be an LPN.