starting from scratch

Hi There- I'm new to the site too, but I do have some answers to your questions.....I've just finished my pre-req's in Phx and I am starting my RN training (ADN) in August.

I have heard many advise to be a CNA first to get some valuable experience, especially if you're new to healthcare. At the community colleges in the valley (I went to Glendale Community College), you can do a CNA course in six weeks and it is very thorough. You get a few weeks of book learning and a few weeks of clinical training for which you are evaluated. After the 6 weeks, you can take the CNA exam and start working.

You can certainly get your CNA and start taking pre-reqs.....you can actually take pre-reqs and get your CNA at the same time if you have someone to help out with your children :)

All of the community colleges here in the valley are linked up and it is really one big program- when you're done with your pre-reqs, you just rank which school you want to go in order of preference and they place you wherever an opening exists.

I don't know about getting your CNA at PMI or College of America. I went with the community college because at this point the CNA class is required to take as a pre-req for the ADN program. The course titles are NUR156 and NUR157.

I've included a link to the Nurse Assisting website at Glendale CC.

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/nursing/Nurse.Assist/MCCDNP%20NA%20Packet%20SUF04%20rev%202.18.041.pdf

Hope this helps!

Good luck in whatever you decide

Hi There- I'm new to the site too, but I do have some answers to your questions.....I've just finished my pre-req's in Phx and I am starting my RN training (ADN) in August.

I have heard many advise to be a CNA first to get some valuable experience, especially if you're new to healthcare. At the community colleges in the valley (I went to Glendale Community College), you can do a CNA course in six weeks and it is very thorough. You get a few weeks of book learning and a few weeks of clinical training for which you are evaluated. After the 6 weeks, you can take the CNA exam and start working.

You can certainly get your CNA and start taking pre-reqs.....you can actually take pre-reqs and get your CNA at the same time if you have someone to help out with your children :)

All of the community colleges here in the valley are linked up and it is really one big program- when you're done with your pre-reqs, you just rank which school you want to go in order of preference and they place you wherever an opening exists.

I don't know about getting your CNA at PMI or College of America. I went with the community college because at this point the CNA class is required to take as a pre-req for the ADN program. The course titles are NUR156 and NUR157.

I've included a link to the Nurse Assisting website at Glendale CC.

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/nursing/Nurse.Assist/MCCDNP%20NA%20Packet%20SUF04%20rev%202.18.041.pdf

Hope this helps!

Good luck in whatever you decide

THANK YOU! This does help alot. I didn't realize you could get your cna in only 6 weeks through c.c.

I'm in a similar situation as you...I also have 2 children, (8 yrs old and 2 yrs old) and I'm going forward with pursing my career in nursing as well.

I have decided to obtain my CNA and start working in a hospital setting and at the same time take my pre-reqs. I will be taking the CNA course at Pima Community College from 9/20-11/3 (7 weeks). I will then be taking my pre-reqs for my ADN during and after that time. I currently make about $14/hr in a corportate job and just moved back here from Los Angeles making about $20/hr + comm, but have been wanting to pursue nursing for over 5 years, I'm to the point that I don't want to work in the corporate world anymore and can't wait to be a nurse even if it means a lower income...I think my happiness is more important than any amount of money...and I waited so long already because I got a great opportunity and made really good money for my age and put it off and I figure if I don't do it now because of money reasons and childcare, that I will never be able to acheive my dream to become a nurse...so I say, 'go for it' whatever it takes...sacifices and all!

:chair: Hello! I just joined all nurses looking for some sound advise from all you guys (girls) that have "been there, done that". I just left my husband of 10 years, and am ready to persure a carrer in nursing. I graduated in '93 from Sabino H.S. and got married and had a baby all in the next year. I never returned to school, so I'll be starting from scratch, with a 9 year-old and 10 month-old baby on my hip. So where do I begin? Should I first go for my C.N.A. so I can work and get some compensation from a hospital? Can I get c.n.a. and start pre-req's at the same time? Where is the best place for obtaining these? I was thing community college, but is c.n.a. faster at somewhere like Collage of America or P.M.I.?

Hope you can help. THANK YOU TO ANY RESPOSES!!!