Which path to take....

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Hello Everyone! My ultimate goal is health education and/or public health. I've been going to Ashford University online in their health education program and realized that even with that degree I won't be able to get the job I want without being an RN. I've decided to leave Ashford and go to nursing school but now I have a bunch of options ahead of me. Since I'm considered low income, I qualify for a $10k grant for school. The main thing is how do I use it.

Option 1: Use the grant to get my CNA/MA certs, to cover my cna prerequisite while I finish my year at Ashford then transfer to the CC and take another semester of prereqs and pray I pass the nln and get in. Time: Assuming no waiting list and I pass the nln the first time, about 3 years to complete.

Option 2: Pay for the cna out of pocket while I finish at Ashford, then use the grant for rn, although there's another grant that I qualify for that's for rn school only. Time: same as above.

Option 3: Finish my year at Ashford to complete my lvn prereqs, pay out of pocket for the cna, use the grant to get an lvn at a tech school (cc doesn't offer it), then do the lvn-rn bridge online. Time: no waiting list or nln, so about 2.5 years to rn.

After RN it'll be on to BSN, then to a MSN/MPH as the ultimate goal. Because of my health (kidney transplant patient) I don't plan to work a clinical job long term. I realize I need experience, though, so I'll be working once I get the cna.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Is your current program a bachelor's? If so, look at ABSN programs. You can get into public health with your BSN, and you can look into what you'd need to become a PHN in your state beyond that. Here in CA, if you have your BSN, you can automatically pay to get your PHN.

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Yes my current program is a bachelor's but of arts not science. The closest university I can go to is about an hour away for BSN which is why online works better for me. If I stay at Ashford to finish and then go for BSN it'll be about 4 years.

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I would say Option #1. This would be for my case. If you have the money to pay out of pocket then go ahead and take the CNA class and use the grant to pay for rn. But it would be great if you can use the grant to cover CNA/ and use another grant to pay for RN. Hope all works out for you.

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Thanks! I'm just concerned about getting into the rn program. Competition is fierce here!

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