What path to take?

[Deniseduval]

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?

[Deniseduval]

$1000 up, not $10,000 lol.

[sailornurse]

OOOPs,

not $10,000 wheee

Actually here is the tuition for CNA. For the advanced Nurse aide which I have never herd of before!!! But I've only been a nurse for 39 years, The beginner level CNA cost is:

[TABLE=width: 488]

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[TD=class: body, width: 468, colspan: 2]Price: $1,750 (tuition - $1,650,all study materials, books, uniform - $75, reg fee - $25)[/TD]

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For advanced CNA:

Price: $3,550 (books, 2 uniforms, supplies, reg fee $75 are included

So, $5,300 for both CNA/advanced, more than half the cost of my Master's degree!!!

This is definitely a rip off!!!

[Shagce1]

Omg. My cna was like $300 plus whatever the testing cost for certification. Even $1000 sounds like a lot to me...

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

OOOPs,

not $10,000 wheee

Actually here is the tuition for CNA.

Price: $3,550 (books, 2 uniforms, supplies, reg fee $75 are included)

That's excessive. My county vocational school charges ~$500 with books. Per state laws if hired in an LTC within a certain period after you complete the program (I think it's 6 months) the LTC must reimburse a reasonable cost of the program. $500 yes, $3500 nope plus if you use loans it will affect your eligibility for financial aid for nursing school.

LTC must only use CNA. Hospital can use CNA but unless a subacute floor does not have to in many states

[Deniseduval]

Wow you are right, thanx! I'm on the website of Manhattan community college as we speak. I wouldn't much about this as you can see. I gotta be more careful.

[joe a.]

Denise, I taught medical assisting. It's a good gig, but it can also lock you into the "money" trap. You get used to the income, you quality of life improves, and when you decide to go back to school, you have difficulty because you depend on the income. LPN is like a LVN in California. They haven't been fazed out. Look into government state funded programs. That helped my career. You will be successful, I see it in your words. You'll be a fine nurse one day and your children will say "that's my mom, she's a nurse". See it, believe it, manifest it. Don't wait for it. Make it happen!

Good luck and God bless you and yours