Work as a Nursing Assistant For Awhile?

[TAS1997]

Hello, 

I am new to this forum. I am a Nursing Assistant at a level one trauma center in the Midwest. I am in the float pool and float to various Psych and Med-Surg units within the hospital. This is my first job, working as a Nursing Assistant ever in my life. I have been thinking about when I should start college, etc. Recently, I have been thinking that maybe it would be a good idea to work as an NA for the next five years to gain more experience before making the decision to pursue an ASN or ADN at a local community college. I believe that I would have gained enough experience by then to know for sure that Nursing is for me, without a doubt. I am currently 24 and would be around 30 when entering an ASN or ADN program. I think this is a good plan, since I am just starting out in this field. I would appreciate feedback and other people's thoughts! I'm also considering Respiratory Therapy too.

[compressionsock, LPN, RN]

Hi there, I do not think you need to necessarily work for five years unless you really want to or have some financial obligation to do so. I know people who have had 3 or 4 months of LNA/CNA experience before getting into an ADN/ASN program. I had 1.5 years of clinical experience and am just finishing my degree. You can always job shadow both an RN or a respiratory therapist (since you are already an employee I would ask a nurse manager or just look someone up in the directory). That way you will have a better picture of what an RT or an RN does. Good luck!