This is where i am suppose to be,,,,,can u help?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2009

You're not going to make $30k as a CNA.

NC Girl BSN · Sep 28, 2009

Welcome to allnurses! I will try to answer some of your questions or steer you in the right direction. I see that you are starting from scratch. Many of us have been where you are now and know how the process works in a general process. Each state is different. If I were in your shoes and trust me I have been, here is what I would do to get the answers you need.

1. Search your local Community College or University website and print out the

curriculum requirements for that particular nursing program.

2. Call the school and make an appointment to talk to a counselor. They will be able to give you the most accurate answers.

3. Google CNA salaries on you particular state.(You are going to have a hard time finding a CNA job that pays 30k. It will largely depend on the area you live)

This is the best start. Once you get the above information then you can evaluate your situation and determine the best avenue to take. Getting a RN degree requires alot of sacrifice. You have small children and still need to work to maintain your household. I can tell you that it will not be easy but it can be done IF you have good family support. Take baby steps to get to your ultimate goal. I am 37. It took me 12 years to finally get my RN. It was all about timing. I had to prepare myself to sacrifice to get this degree. For many yrs, I financially could not afford to go part time or quite my job to get this career. I got married almost 6 yrs ago and got a help mate that supported my dreams and it took off from there. Within the last 4 years, I had many roadblocks trying to get into a RN program but it finally worked out for me in the end. I would not have had it any other way. Good Luck to you in trying to fit the puzzle pieces together on your new found calling.

To answer another question. I think you should try the General Nursing board or the Student Nurse board or your Local State board. This board is mostly for nursing profressional that are trying to get their RN, BSN,MSN via the internet or distant learning. With that being said, feel free to ask questions because we do not discriminate. Good Luck to you!

NC Girl BSN · Sep 28, 2009

You're not going to make $30k as a CNA.

Sue you are so correct. I was no where near making 30k as a CNA. I was making $12.50hr in NC and it was about 26k Gross and and I was a seasoned CNA for 15 years. Most of the new ones were making $8-9hr.(17K).

ivanh3 · Sep 28, 2009

Several things. Congrats on your kind of recent baby. You say your husband is on board so that is great. Big plus when the spouse kicks in. Forget the CNA business. If you know that you are going towards being an RN then don't spin your wheels. Like others have pointed out, a new CNA is not going to make 30K. Just go directly for becoming an RN.

The big question is where are you now in terms of general education courses and pre reqs? Honestly, what I would consider doing is looking at all of the local, state/public colleges and universities and apply there. Make appointments with counselors (both academic and financial aid). Seriously consider student loans (just don't go nuts, only what you need)and finding some type of job that has flexible hours. This might include evenings and weekends. Nursing school is tough, but if you survive you will be so much better off.

MauraRN · Sep 28, 2009

Ditto the above posters. Post some specifics about what state you are in, do you have any college courses under your belt, what do you need for pre-reqs, how long a commute to your local brick and mortar school and do they offer child care there.

I don't want to dim your dream, but keep the following in mind;

*your kids will get sick when you ABSOLUTELY can't have that happen, ie, clinical shift, mid-terms, etc.

*Is your husband "on board" with taking a day off of work to care for the baby on a day that you have to go to school?

*Will your husband cook all meals, shop for food, wake up with crying baby, shovel the snow off of your car at 5am?

*How long can you expect hubby to do this-realistically. Do you have other sources of child-care? Mom, siblings, Dad, Grandma?

I finished my LPN and RN programs while my son was age 12-16. Husband was on board with me getting a regular paycheck (I previously was a self-employed Realtor), but was not willing to do a thing other than go to work and watch football on tv. I worked full-time as LPN while in RN school, but my son was very good about it, does laundry, vacuums, yardwork and homework without any nagging. Thankfully he is responsible and caring and would have my dinner ready and bath drawn when I got home after and 12 hour shift and had to study before I slept. I could not have done it all without his help and cooperation.

If you doubt that you could pull off what you have been planning, start slow. Knock off as many easy pre-reqs that you can. Try working part-time, maybe as a unit secretary on a med-surg unit; you could learn a lot of practical stuff by observation.

Let us know what we can do to point you in helpful directions.