Starting as a CNA and working your way up the ladder

[Apenland]

I plan on starting my career path in the nursing field, however I will be starting off at the bottom of the chain by doing CNA work first. My question is how likely are the chances of me advancing my career in the nursing field by starting off as a CNA? I know there is always the options of going to school for MA or LVN but those courses are pricey and would put me in debt. A CNA course is alot easier to get into and less expensive than other courses to take in the nursing field but it is also alot of work. Are there any nurses out there who started off as a CNA and worked your way to something higher?? If so did you go back to school for that or did you get hands on training in the work field??

[mstearns09]

So once you become a CNA and get a job can you work for a year for the company and have them help and then become a LPN (this is what I was told) without having to go to any schooling? Or maybe limited schooling? Or is it not that easy..[/quote']

You will have to take prerequisites and complete an LPN/LVN program before you can test for your LPN/LVN. Many places will reimburse your tuition if you agree to complete the necessary schooling and agree to work for them for a certain amount of time afterward.