Should I do CNA or LPN before I go into the ADN prgram?!

2011NursingStudent · Feb 5, 2011

I think you picked a great career choice - wish I had taken classes for it right after high school =) The CNA is pretty short, but it usually pays around $10 an hour. The LPN program is usually 1/2 the ADN. I'd say get your CNA - in my school the CNA is required to apply to the ADN program. Then you can get a job sooner, and many hospitals pay tuition after a year, so you might get your LPN to ADN paid for, if your school allows you to take the LPN test 1/2 way through the ADN program. Definitely look at the schools website at all the prereqs and requirements, and just pick whichever path looks good to you.

escapebigd · Feb 6, 2011

I got my CNA first just to make sure I wanted nursing and could see it up close and personal. It is hard work to be a CNA and it's very hard to get jobs in a hospital, but it is great patient care experience. I'd say save your time and go for CNA first and then go into the ADN program. I was able to talk to a lot of nurses, UM's, and former nurses at the SNF I worked at which helped me make the decision to become a RN. Good luck with school and keep us updated on what you decide :)

riverwink · Feb 6, 2011

I agree getting your CNA and working on weekends while you are getting a ADN is a good plan. However, I highly recommend staying at home while getting your ADN. You will have tons of homework once you are accepted into the nursing program and will not have much time to work. Study hard get out with your RN in a couple of years and then get an apartment. It seems hard now but definitely worth it!

CleeM89 · Feb 6, 2011

I took a CNA class when I was in highschool and it was great. Working as a CNA pays really good and you can get an idea of what the LPNs and RNs have to do on the floor. Going straight to an LPN sounds good but the extra time and everything you have to do for it may take longer than you plan. If the program only lets a few people in you may not get accepted right away I do really recommend becoming the CNA first also because as pointed out previously your employer may pay/reinburse you for your schooling.

Skylarslaughter · Feb 7, 2011

After two whole days of stressing out and actually thinking about going into Computer Programming because it's "easier" I decided that I'm not going to stress...and I'm going to try to just shoot straight into the RN program [and get my CNA after the first semester] and just try to suck it up and live at home till I finish the program (: I was wondering though, if I got my ADN in Florida? Could I immediatly get licensed if I wanted to move right to Washington State? Because I want to continue my schooling and start working there?

agldragonRN · Feb 7, 2011

after two whole days of stressing out and actually thinking about going into computer programming because it's "easier" i decided that i'm not going to stress...and i'm going to try to just shoot straight into the rn program [and get my cna after the first semester] and just try to suck it up and live at home till i finish the program (: i was wondering though, if i got my adn in florida? could i immediatly get licensed if i wanted to move right to washington state? because i want to continue my schooling and start working there?

good choice. shoot for the rn first. it that does not work out, then try lpn. i made 60k first year of me being an lpn.

yes, after you passed the nclex and get licensed in florida, you can endorse it to washington state and practice there as a registered nurse. you just have to pay the endorsement fee.

mymoment4life · Feb 7, 2011

Just go straight to nursing school. I took my GEs and prereqs when I was 16, but I procrastinated a lot. I just got accepted into a nursing program last year (I'm 19 now). I don't recommend working while being in nursing school or even when you're taking your prereqs like A&P, micro, etc. because you have to focus in school and get good grades to be accepted in a program. I didn't even work, but I had a 2.52 science gpa because I thought it wasn't that important back then. However, it turns out that your GPA is all they look at. I'm lucky I made the cut. lol. If you go to CNA or LPN school, you might not be able to afford quitting your job, or lessening your hours just to go back to school. Anyways, it's up to you. Good luck! :)

Skylarslaughter · Feb 7, 2011

I'm wondering how hard it would be to take the LPN exam after a year in RN school? I mean could you do that?

stefanyjoy · Feb 7, 2011

If I were you I would get my CNA while working on pre-requisites for the ADN program. For the program I'm trying to get in to you have to be a CNA to apply for the ADN program anyway. The only reason I'm not working as a CNA now is because I have a much better paying office job and a family to support, but if I were fresh out of high school with no children, I'd definitely be working as a CNA while working on my classes for the ADN program. If you know you want to be an RN then don't bother with the LPN. Good luck.

CleeM89 · Feb 8, 2011

I would begin the classes and getting ready for the RN program. While doing this take the CNA class, this will help you along the way and you will have a good paying job. For the nursing school that I was in they encouraged us to "step out" and take the LPN exam. I did not have to take any time off of school to do this. It is just another step closer to becoming the RN that I want to be. :)

Skylarslaughter · Feb 9, 2011

Yeah I was going to try to do CNA, but Red Cross won't let me into the program unless I'm 18 and even if my college let's me in the CNA program I won't be able to practice till I'm 18 anyway and that's a year from now. So I think I might have to just wait it out and go straight for my ADN, luckily it's not a pre req for my college but I really wish I could do it. :/ I think there's a better chance of me challanging the test after my first semester of RN school...however long that takes.