Thinking about Nursing School.

[Desi20]

I am very sorry if these questions have already been answered or if this is the wrong place to put this. New to this site and don't really know what I'm doing..Thank you.

Well I am moving to Kansas and I'm 17, so I have been thinking of being a nurse. My big goal is to become an RN but i would really like to start out as a CNA to see if it is for me. Now I have researched and researched and have found nothing that helps me with my questions, and I was hoping someone on this Website could help me with them.

1. What are the age requirements? (If they have any what are they, I have searched high and low for them but have found nothing.)

2. Is it better to start at the bottom and work you way up, being a CNA, then LPN/LVN and then RN?

Also any advice would be welcome.

[Tarabara]

1. What are the age requirements? (If they have any what are they, I have searched high and low for them but have found nothing.)

There are no age requirements per se but you'd have to complete the pre-reqs for nursing school which typically take 2 years and then complete nursing school which is usually another 2 years (there are fast-tracks available if you want it to be quicker). Therefore you'd be a few years older by the time you actually get your RN. I'm only 23, was 22 when I first started nursing. I had a classmate who was home schooled and started college early so she was only 19 and an RN.

2. Is it better to start at the bottom and work you way up, being a CNA, then LPN/LVN and then RN?

Personally I think if your goal is to be an RN then just go straight for it, if you do everything in small steps its going to feel like an eternity. I would however highly suggest getting a job as a CNA while doing the pre-reqs and if you can manage it during nursing school as well. It'll be a good way to get experience and get your foot in the door (as well as give you an idea of what you're really in for!).