What is the order of the nursing career ladder?

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I'm just starting an LVN program to get my foot in the door. I was just wondering in what order is the "nursing career lader" go. Starting from a CNA the top.

Take care everyone

Don't a lot of NS require you to have your CNA before starting? It's not required at my school, but I think some people do that first to make sure they'll like nursing before spending the $ on school. Also, it's a source of income while you make your way through college.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

:idea:

CNA is the beginning of the nursing career ladder.

RN is the beginning of the Registered Nursing career ladder.

OH YEAH!!!

There's a BIG difference!;)

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Don't a lot of NS require you to have your CNA before starting? It's not required at my school, but I think some people do that first to make sure they'll like nursing before spending the $ on school. Also, it's a source of income while you make your way through college.

The answer is no. What some schools that base acceptance on a point system is if you have such a background, it could give you some extra points where someone who has no medical background would not qualify for those points.

I back in the early 90's was a CNA and then went into being a Certified Medication Aid. I did this for a few years before leaving the medical field. I am currently an RN student. I CHOOSE, and have a supportive spouse and student loans, that allow me not to have to work (Thank goodness) while I am in nursing school.

I have heard mixed thoughts on this matter. 1 nurse manager told me they would choose a student who didn't work and solely focused on school and had yet another nurse manager tell me she would choose a student who worked while going to school. I will take my chances with the not working theory and focus on school. I realize MANY are not this fortunate (or some would say foolish to take out student loans).

If I had it to do all over, I would have went to nursing school all those years ago.

PERSONALLY, I don't think being a CNA tells you whether or not you will like nursing. Those are 2 TOTALLY different animals. Yes, they are in the medical field and deal with patients but their similarity almost ceases at that point. I have a friend who HATED being a CNA and has been an RN for 5 years and LOVES it. So, each person is made differently, thinks differently, and will have a love/hate relationship with nursing.

GOOD luck with your decision making process.

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I think being a CNA or tech first would at least let you know if the smells/sights/sounds would get to you. You're right though, the work is definitely different.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Med Surg.

also with your RN you can get an accn (another title to put after your name)_

accn is acute critical care nurse, where i work i took the class they paid and i have to wait till i have enough experience in critical care to sit for the exam,

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