What to Do Before Starting School for ASN?

[schroeea]

Hi!

I'm thinking about becoming a nurse and wanted to get some thoughts on how to best start getting my ASN. I already have a degree and there's a program in my hometown that has an integrated ASN RN program for people with the degree already. However, I'd like to take some time to save up so I won't have to work as much when I'm taking my classes, probabaly 2 years. In the mean time, can I get certified as a CNA to help reduce the amount of classes I need to take? Are there other things I can do to try and reduce the amount of time it will take to get my ASN?

Thanks!!

[tamale29, MSN, RN, NP]

Do you mean ADN? If so then I would highly reccomend getting your CNA. It wont let you take any less classes to get your ADN, but the experience and the knowledge that you would get out of it would be worth it. Also if you already have a degree then (depending on the degree you have) I would look into maybe just going for your BSN. Most ADN programs can take up to three years while BSN only take four. I'm not sure how that works with the program you are looking into but it's something to think about. Hope everthing works out. Good luck to you

[lauraline]

I never heard of a situation where becoming a CNA will reduce your classes in getting an ADN.

But it would definitely allow you to start working as a CNA and you will earn money + valuable experience toward nursing. Getting certified as a CNA usually only takes a matter of weeks.

[GMG RN]

The only degree you can have to reduce the time of the ADN is if you were an LPN. But even then you only get to skip the first semester and have less clinicals ( lpn's do clinicals in their program and the RN program recognizes that time), thats really it, so its really not worth the time since it takes 18-24 months to be an LPN and super hard to get a job because LPN's are restricted in what they can do. Become a CNA get the experience, get A's in your core classes for the RN program and you should be good.