Starting Nursing School

[Candice3876]

Hello everyone, I am starting some Nursing programs starting in January 2018, so I have a few questions.

I am in a program for displaced homemakers and they want me to do a stackable degree, it is not mandatory but they want me to have extra learning to make my resume look good like medical training 1st , CNA then LPN or medical training, LPN then RN. I am not a young woman anymore and to attempt the second option is a little out of my reach lol, so I was going to go for the 1st option because it will take me 1 year and 8 months to complete instead of 2 years and 10 months but I want to get started in September 2018 and go straight to LPN and skip CNA.

Is this a smart path to take or should I go ahead and do the stackable degrees?

The 2nd question is what reference books should I purchase, I was told they wont provide them, that I must acquire them on my own, So far the only reference book I have purchased is Mosby's Dictionary, they mentioned I need a encyclopedia, drug reference, anatomy and a reference on diseases. So any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank You for your time!

[Devon Rex, ADN, BSN]

Hello Candice,

Only you know what is best for you. While it is great to start as a CNA and work your way up, it is not absolutely necessary. I worked the government accounting until I was 39... took a voluntary layoff because the economy was bad and they were looking for volunteers before they let go of others who were really clinching for their jobs. Anyway, I continued my general education classes and started nursing school at 41 years old. It was not an easy path for me for several reasons... my sister passed away, I inherited 2 teenagers, the new role of being a parent, new way of critical thinking, relationship adjustments, day-to-day adjustments, anxiety...you name it. However, I made it through... I graduated at 43 and immediately continued on with my BSN. I am now 48 years old with a BSN and 4.5 years of experience and loving it!

In my opinion, you first need to look at your current commitments and support system to determine which track is best for you at this time. Becoming a CNA will be less stressful than an LPN. Becoming an LPN will be less stressful than becoming an RN. The higher the role in nursing, the more responsibilities will be on your shoulders. Everybody is different and ALL roles are important to carry out the services our patients need. You are not a better or lesser person for the track you choose... you just need to excel on what you choose because everyone is needed and important.

Hope this helps! :)

[Devon Rex, ADN, BSN]

Candice,

If you have further questions or comments, please post them. :)

[bitter_betsy, BSN]

Hi Candice,

I don't really understand your program. These courses that they want you to stack seem like they should be taught in an educational environment and in that environment the materials should be provided (maybe not paid for, but they will tell you what you need). Furthermore if you are only 41 - you aren't too old to become an RN. I'll be 45 before I start the program and I know there are others who started older than myself. Having said that you can become an LPN and then if you are confident, do an LPN to RN degree and just keep going.

If the reason for stacking is so that you can get a job to provide for yourself and/or family then continue to increase your income along the way - I understand and see their point.

For me my motivation is my mother. I see her deteriorating and with my current education I either have to move to get a higher paying job so I can afford for someone to take care of her or I re-educate myself so I can work 12 days a month and be there to take care of her. It all really boils down to choices and there aren't any wrong ones. Sometimes our path gets a little wonky and we may feel we have lost our way - but the truth is - we are still learning even if we are going the wrong way.

Best of luck to you. Your future is yours and age is just a number. Don't let yours limit you.