Taking 1st step on new career.....CNA while applying for LPN school

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Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.

Hello all,

I am starting a CNA class on monday, I will be working on the Cardiac care unit at a local hospital. I'm taking the entrance exam for LPN school on thursday, I'm confident that I'll pass, which means I start LPN school in Sep 08.

I'm nervous about getting back into the health care field and I'm not totally sure if I'll like it or not. 22 years ago I was a Nurse Asst in a nursing home for about 6 months and I was a military EMT about 18 years ago for a year. I was the top grad of my EMT class and enjoyed my time with emergency response.

I'll be getting paid to go to CNA school and I'll be working afterwards, so if I decide that this isn't for me I won't have too much invested in the process.

I retired from the military last year and I quit a well paying Railroad management job to start my RN journey (not sure that was a very bright idea). I've been thinking and debating about going into nursing for 22 years, so hopefully it'll work out.

There is also an EMT class that starts in August, which is 2 semesters long at the local community college, I may take that class as I really like the fast pace of emergency care.

Wish me luck

Tony in TN

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

Congrats on making the final step on your new career! It's hard when you decide to make a switch. I went from going to be a teacher to entering healthcare, and I thought I was crazy. But just keep plowing through, and being a CNA will definitely allow you to decide if you like the field of nursing! Good luck!

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Just passed my CNA written and practical exams tonight! I'm 54 and an alumnus of two previous higher profile professions. I couldn't be more jazzed about what I'm doing, and am as pumped now as I was when I passed one of my bar exams.

Had a meeting last week with an "advisor" at my preferred nursing college. I'll be doing pre-reqs for awhile but still plan on applying to nursing school in February. Anyway, this advisor had nothing to offer except the myriad reasons why I will not make it. I said [something similar to "screw that" but more tasteful] and told her that I don't really care what her percentages say--I'm going to nursing school, and I'm going next year.

She got kind of quiet after that.:lol2:

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Update on the above: I got in. Boo-yah.

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Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.
Update on the above: I got in. Boo-yah.

Congrats on getting into school!!!!

As an update for me from last year (May 08), I did start LPN school in Sep 08, I barely made the National Honor Society my first semester (95%) average and have 5 months til I graduate. But, I'm really struggling right now, having a hard time lately. Take care.

Tony

PCT/CNA/LPN student

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