Ultimate Goal. CNA, LPN, RN ?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Kinda wish I had premium membership now that I want to start a poll. But since starting my training, our instructors always address as if we all are continuing further into nursing careers. They always say, "you'll do this when you become an LPN/RN later" I guess most people do continue further and by the fact that this thread is in the "nursing student" section I'm guess that even here that is the case. But I was wondering how many of you are actually continuing your education, are in school, and what you ultimately want to do or be and how many of you are perfectly happy as a CNA and would like to remain one for a while. Just curious! Thanks guys!

Specializes in geriatric.

i am a cna and have worked in a ltc facility but quit to continue my education i am starting lpn program in april than i will go into the rn program and later become a cde

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My big goal is to be a NP. But, I plan on taking the long road to that. I want to be an RN first, do a couple of years in the ER to get some experience, then go on to gastroenterology. After that, I want to have kids and do the stay-at-home mom thing (maybe take some online classes) until they are old enough to go to school and go back to school for the NP.

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Specializes in Rehab.

I plan on starting my LPN this may, after that, getting my BSN-in the accelerated program, b/c I have a degree, just not the credits, and LPN will give me THAT, and experience. Plus, if I get my LPN, I can get my BSN online, which will be WAY easier for me, and then I want to eventually get my masters, if I dont stop at that point, and perhaps be a NP

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

Eventually, RN. I'm not particular as to ADN or BSN at this point; that may change.

I'll be an LPN first, however; I start LPN school in June.

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

im an lvn and i really appreciate the nursing assistants and i envy them. The cna's are the ones that really get to know the patients while the nursing have been tarnished by understaffing and patient load and all these other things. it is your choice to continue your education or not, but the way i see it, CNA's are a nurses first line of defense. many nurses may argue the fact with me, but cna's are more involved with the patients than nurses themselves and i admire that from cna's.

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I too, am a C.N.A work on my ADN, then possibly my BSN. Always reach for the stars they say, and that's what I am doing. A lot of people didn't think I would make it this far, but I am still going. You do the same!!!

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I have been a CNA for five years. In my facility there's a pretty clear divide--there are the longterm, career aides, and there are the fairly new (ie less than 3-4 years as a CNA) ones who see being an aide as just another step in the becoming-a-nurse process. I just looked at my schedule and of the thirty-plus CNAs on my shift, there are six currently in nursing school and another seven or eight that I know of who are either in the application process or have serious intentions of applying within the next few months. And that's just on my shift--I know of many people on the other shifts who are in school. Becoming a nursing is definitely encouraged at my facility.

[hijack] At one time I was looking into getting my RN, even going so far as to submit my statement of interest to the local RN program and taking a couple semesters of pre-reqs. However, I had some problems with my financial aid and had to take some time off school. Although I intended to go back to school once I got my finances straightened out, after a while I started realizing that I looked on becoming a nurse with dread rather than with excitement and that a large part of the reason I was doing it was because other people kept telling me that's what I should want to do. Basically I was going to become a nurse because of peer pressure. Becoming a nurse is a huge step that you should undertake because you wholeheartedly want to.

Although I really enjoy being a CNA it's really starting to take a toll on me, and even though I have nothing but respect for the people who are aides for ten, twenty, or thirty years I don't think I want to be one of them. I'm trying to figure out what exactly I want to do. I know it sounds kind of awful but I'm thinking that I'm about ready for a position with less patient care, like HR or medical records or pharmacy technician or something. I just don't want to put more time and money into school to find out that ___ isn't right for me either. [/hijack]

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In April, I begin my classes to be a CNA. I, for sure, want to go on to be able to administer medicine as well. I've convinced myself that I want to go on to be an LPN but if I fall in love with being a CNA, well, I'll try not to beat myself up too badly if I decide to stay one! =)

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Specializes in LTC, AC, ER, Outpatient, Urgent Care.

How about MD or DO?

The only problem with that is (as I found out), you have to be able to spend a minimum of $25,000 a year, and have little to no other responsibilities. If you have the grades and the patience, go for it!

I'm mapping out an ARNP (Nurse Practitioner) strategy right now.

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