Taking CNA class while doing other pre-reqs

[AlaskaHopeful]

I'm new to the site and need some input please. Last year was my first time setting foot in a college, after 13 years of mostly seasonal carpentry work. My gpa after two semesters was a 3.4, down from a 4.0 after fall semester, but who was I kidding, after getting a 4.0 there is only one way to go right? Anyways, this fall (2012) I plan to take a CNA (9 credit) class at my comunity college along with at least one other pre-req, maybe two. I suppose my question is this: my CNA class is from 8:30am to 5:00pm M-F, including some Saturdays from 7am to 3:30pm. This class starts Aug. 30, 2012 and ends Oct. 5, 2012. Is it feasable to take another pre-req or two after this class at night? As of right now i'm registered for the CNA class and one pre-req. The pre-req is 5:30pm to 8:30pm on Tuesdays, so on Tuesdays I would be in school literally for 12 hours. 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. But after my CNA class is done on Oct. 5, my one pre-req would be the only class I would have to go to for the rest of the semester on Tuesday nights for three hours. Please help me I need advice, I dont want my gpa to suffer. I have a family. Wife, kids, house and utilitity bills, the "American dream!" But I want to add RN to that "American Dream" sometime in the near future. Thank you in advance for your input.

[northernguy]

CNA class is pretty easy, very little studying involved from my experience, but I also had some medical training in EMS prior to CNA school, so it might be different if you are completely new. Towards the end of the class you might have to do some practicing and studying for your practical exam, but for the most part you shouldnt have to spend much time on the class outside of your classroom time.

CNA school will also give you the chance to decide if you really want to be a Nurse before you get too far into school. There were several students in my class who were doing a career change after years of working outside of health care, doing things like carpentry or working as a mechanic, like me. Some of them decided during class, and especially clinicals that this type of work just wasnt for them.