What path to take?

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Hi

I NEED help figuring out what to do. I want to be a Neonatal Nurse, but I have never worked in the medical field. I'm still waiting for my Ged results and even If I failed it I'll keep trying till I pass. But besides that I don't know what field to began in. It's either Medical Assistant for now or cna then Rn. I had my heart set on LPN, but I heard from alot of people that it's phasing out. How? Then I was told by more then one person just to go straight for the RN. The reason I mentioned Neonatal is because I always wanted to work with the newborn babies or premies. You just can't trust alot of people with babies these days, but I know they will be safe with me. Also I wanted to start as Lpn because it was a decent pay for a single mother of 3 girls. I just don't get why LPN's are not being hired as much anymore. Anyways so I have to take a different path by putting my foot in the door. Plus I have to start making money with in at least a year, that's why I'm also mentioning the CMA. But is it smarter to start as CNA to pursue my career as a Neonatal? I have low income and im living off the government which I don't want to do. I also want to be a role model for my kids. Yeah I know I'm doing it late but better late then never. I also had these thoughts when I was in the hospital the few times, saying to myself I would like to work in a hospital one day. Helping others, especially around babies and pregnant women. Idk I just want to be a helping hand for others and me and my children. Help me out to decide what's the best step. Cna or CMA first. I also thought about cma first because it's a higher salary then cna but is it a quicker way to pursue my career?

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Do not bother with medical assistant as it is not connected to the nursing field. If you can not start as an LPN or RN then go for nursing assistant. LPN's are not being phased out, there are still LPN/LVN programs, in some parts of the USA they may not be utilized in hospital settings and in some parts they still are. So starting as CNA is getting the foot in the door. What state are you in? What type of nursing programs are close to you? Any community college Associate Degree RN programs?

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Do not bother with medical assistant as it is not connected to the nursing field. If you can not start as an LPN or RN then go for nursing assistant. LPN's are not being phased out, there are still LPN/LVN programs, in some parts of the USA they may not be utilized in hospital settings and in some parts they still are. So starting as CNA is getting the foot in the door. What state are you in? What type of nursing programs are close to you? Any community college Associate Degree RN programs?

Thanks for the reply 1st off and and im in NYC BK. Well i have Medgars college and the manhattan institute and many others. im still thinking new age training.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
. im still thinking new age training.

What?

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I'm sorry it's a nursing school

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Is that the name of the school????

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Yes mam

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Yes it is the name of the school. It has cna but it's over $1000 which I don't have. But I will figure something out.

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I know that some hospitals don't require you to be certified to work as a nursing assistant, though they do prefer it. I guess it wouldn't hurt to browse around and see what the hospitals around you require. I would go for the CNA though and not the medical assistant. In my area medical assistants are more clinics, and i guess you could work in a pediatric clinic or womens health since thats the field youre leaning towards. You mentioned not having money to do a CNA course so im assuming your budget is even tighter for LPN or RN. if you do become a CNA first many hospitals do tuition reimbursement so maybe that'll help you with getting a degree. Around my area (metro detroit) LPN's don't practice in hospitals but more in LTC and SLF. it's usually RNs who get hired into hospitals, just a thought. But like I said, browse around and see what hospitals hire who and what their requirements are. But overall I think becoming a CNA is well worth spending the time and money seeing as how it is a good way to get your foot through the door into the nursing field. Nursing school is a challenge but if you're really up and passionate for it then I know you'll succeed!

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

OK I checked it out. $10,000 dollars for CNA ??? RUN As Fast As you can!!! This is known as a trade school, "proprietary" for profit. My Master's Degree for Family Nurse Practitioner cost less than this! Do not go here for any reason. Are there any community colleges that have CNA, LPN, RN? Start here for your search.

La Guardia community college has both LPN & Associate Degree RN, $2400 per semester.

Borough of Manhattan CC also has nursing program. Same tuition as above.

Both are currently accreditation byACEN.

Medgars College was due for site visit Fall 2015 for ACEN and their website actually says to go to ACEN to see if they are which is weird as most programs will state this on website.

Kinsborough CC also has nursing program. Not on ACEN list for current accreditation.

Of course New Age Training is not accredited by ACEN! No surprise there.

I would suggest applying to all 3, have you researched these yet?

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OK I checked it out. $10,000 dollars for CNA ??? RUN As Fast As you can!!! This is known as a trade school, "proprietary" for profit. My Master's Degree for Family Nurse Practitioner cost less than this! Do not go here for any reason. Are there any community colleges that have CNA, LPN, RN? Start here for your search.

La Guardia community college has both LPN & Associate Degree RN, $2400 per semester.

Borough of Manhattan CC also has nursing program. Same tuition as above.

Kinsborough CC also has nursing program.

I would suggest applying to all 3, have you researched these yet?

Woah 10,000 for CNA???????????? I paid not even 1000 for my certification!!! Definitely a rip off

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Thanks trendingsnow, you are most helpful and kind to respond. Thanks for the advice. I'm heading more towards the cna. I hope it fits in my schedule as a mother of three girls. Who's ages are 5, 7, 9. It's my dream to be a nurse so imma go for it!!. When I find the right school. Lol or opportunity I find that puts me in the door.

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