No need to start as a CNA. If …

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QUESTION:

Nurses: Any Advice For Someone Thinking About Going To School For Nursing?

No need to start as a CNA. If you do that, however, protect your back.
You will have to see about where you can apply and recognize there is likely a waiting period to get into nursing school. You will want to do all pre- and co-requisite courses ASAP because you want to be able to devote your time to the nursing clinicals and coursework.
Job outlook is excellent:http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm
There is a significant rate of nursing dissatisfaction–can vary as to why–too little contact with patients (too much paperwork, short staffed, etc.), shifts too long (some are 12 hours), pay is poor (in some fields definitely)–etc. The RN is incredibly flexible though, so you probably can find something you like and even change where you are with relative ease.
This is a LOT of work. You will need excellent child care, including for when your child is sick. You simply can NOT be absent from clinicals and pass the course.
If all this puts you off, think about why you’re interested in nursing. Perhaps something like x-ray tech, nuclear med tech, ultrasound tech, etc. would appeal to you–I think they don’t tend to have such long waiting lists. I’m not saying they’re not rigorous or a lot of work, because they are.
Good luck.

heyteach also commented

  • I started nursing at 32 after working as a military medic and a paramedic, and after a few years sitting at a desk.
    Different states have different requirements for being a CNA first…but you need to get licensed to show that you have the skills.
    The job outlook is pretty good. The Baby Boomers are starting to retire (lots of nurses will retire)…which means that they are getting older and will soon experience accelerating decline (more work for nurses).
    About 1/2 of male nurses and 1/5 of female nurses leave the profession in their first 4 years according to recently released statistics. I think these are misleading, and find it likely that A LOT MORE male nurses leave the profession early as a result of discrimination by female supervisors and DON’s.
    Advice…if you are REALLY going to do it…work as a CNA while in school…in the field that you want to work in. If you want to be a psych nurse, be a Behavioral Health Tech in a psych facility…if you want to work geri, be a CNA in a nursing home. You will learn a lot of important techniques during your time as an aide. And never, ever, disparage your CNA’s when you are a nurse…you’ll never survive without them. On the other hand, if you have CNAs who are lousy employees and write them up, you’ll probably be the one disciplined… if you discipline them yourself, they’ll likely report you to your state abuse hotline…and if you ignore their behavior, you’ll be terminated. So, if you have lousy CNAs….your best bet is to find another job.
  • I work with a lot of people wanting to become Nurses. There is a program called a bridge program that allows you to bridge from an LPN to the RN program and be able to complete the whole program in two years. About being a CNA first I am not sure that is a must. There would be pre-reqs that could be done over the summer months. I think you have to be a CNA before you can be a CMT and you have to be EMT before a paramedic, but I have never heard you have to be a CNA before an LPN. Like I said, I help people with schooling and employment and Nursing is an excellent choice. This occupation is in high demand everywhere and the pay and benefits are tremendous. I hope you do persue this career and I wish you a lot of luck!!!
  • My mother is 60 years old & still working as a registered nurse.
    Honestly, there is alot of lifting & pulling that can play a toll on your body. If you want to go back & learn. That’s great, but I would say also work out. Get your body in shape.

Recent comments by heyteach

  • Which Would Be More Valuable When Searching For A Job, Lpn Or Cna?
    I’m going to school to become an LPN. You have more opportunities, better money and flexibility. Girl, you will have it made in the shade when you get your degree. I know I will =)
  • Which Would Be More Valuable When Searching For A Job, Lpn Or Cna?
    There are more CNA jobs than there are LPN jobs, but LPN’s make more money. Both require schooling, CNA is a short training program, and LPN is a 2 year college program. CNA’s take a state registry test to get certified and LPN sit for state test to get licensed.
    Healthcare HR Manager
  • Which Would Be More Valuable When Searching For A Job, Lpn Or Cna?
    A CNA does really most all of the labor in nursing homes and hospitals, but LPN’s are higher in the chain of command than CNA’s. There is only one thing lower than them and they are trained NA’s! If your going to go to school in nursing, become a CNA first. It doesn’t take that long and it looks good to add that to your resume or something when you apply for school to study LPN. LPN’s do lots of paper work and record everything. They don’t totally have to do what CNA’s do but then again… even they have to do work sometimes. CNA’s and NA’s do all the heavy duty lifting, thankless feeding, turning, toileting, showering and all that fun stuff. I didn’t hate being a CNA, but along with the good days were the bad days!
  • Which Would Be More Valuable When Searching For A Job, Lpn Or Cna?
    some places are phasing out lpns and it is hard as any new grad to obtain employment in a medical field without previous medical experience. CNAs make very little money and it is back breaking work. Some nursing homes are hiring CNAs and will actually put you through a CNA program of their own design for free. I figured that because of the “nursing shortage” that it would be fairly easy for me to obtain a job after I graduated, but most places are saying they want one year of experience before they will hire a new grad. and there are many many many people looking for jobs everywhere. i guess it depends on where you are living. depending on your academic goals, and your location, you should also see how long the waiting lists are to get into whatever program you are looking for because many nursing programs have looooong waiting lists
  • Which Would Be More Valuable When Searching For A Job, Lpn Or Cna?
    LPN, more money and more opportunities, you will also be able to work a more flexible schedule, such as a weekend Baylor in which you would work 2–12 hour shifts on Sat/Sun and get paid for 36 hours.

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  1. Cathy on February 22, 2010 9:00 pm

    My mother is 60 years old & still working as a registered nurse.
    Honestly, there is alot of lifting & pulling that can play a toll on your body. If you want to go back & learn. That’s great, but I would say also work out. Get your body in shape.

  2. pattyann on February 22, 2010 9:09 pm

    I work with a lot of people wanting to become Nurses. There is a program called a bridge program that allows you to bridge from an LPN to the RN program and be able to complete the whole program in two years. About being a CNA first I am not sure that is a must. There would be pre-reqs that could be done over the summer months. I think you have to be a CNA before you can be a CMT and you have to be EMT before a paramedic, but I have never heard you have to be a CNA before an LPN. Like I said, I help people with schooling and employment and Nursing is an excellent choice. This occupation is in high demand everywhere and the pay and benefits are tremendous. I hope you do persue this career and I wish you a lot of luck!!!

  3. keltillo on February 22, 2010 9:30 pm

    I started nursing at 32 after working as a military medic and a paramedic, and after a few years sitting at a desk.
    Different states have different requirements for being a CNA first…but you need to get licensed to show that you have the skills.
    The job outlook is pretty good. The Baby Boomers are starting to retire (lots of nurses will retire)…which means that they are getting older and will soon experience accelerating decline (more work for nurses).
    About 1/2 of male nurses and 1/5 of female nurses leave the profession in their first 4 years according to recently released statistics. I think these are misleading, and find it likely that A LOT MORE male nurses leave the profession early as a result of discrimination by female supervisors and DON’s.
    Advice…if you are REALLY going to do it…work as a CNA while in school…in the field that you want to work in. If you want to be a psych nurse, be a Behavioral Health Tech in a psych facility…if you want to work geri, be a CNA in a nursing home. You will learn a lot of important techniques during your time as an aide. And never, ever, disparage your CNA’s when you are a nurse…you’ll never survive without them. On the other hand, if you have CNAs who are lousy employees and write them up, you’ll probably be the one disciplined… if you discipline them yourself, they’ll likely report you to your state abuse hotline…and if you ignore their behavior, you’ll be terminated. So, if you have lousy CNAs….your best bet is to find another job.

  4. heyteach on February 22, 2010 9:31 pm

    No need to start as a CNA. If you do that, however, protect your back.
    You will have to see about where you can apply and recognize there is likely a waiting period to get into nursing school. You will want to do all pre- and co-requisite courses ASAP because you want to be able to devote your time to the nursing clinicals and coursework.
    Job outlook is excellent:http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm
    There is a significant rate of nursing dissatisfaction–can vary as to why–too little contact with patients (too much paperwork, short staffed, etc.), shifts too long (some are 12 hours), pay is poor (in some fields definitely)–etc. The RN is incredibly flexible though, so you probably can find something you like and even change where you are with relative ease.
    This is a LOT of work. You will need excellent child care, including for when your child is sick. You simply can NOT be absent from clinicals and pass the course.
    If all this puts you off, think about why you’re interested in nursing. Perhaps something like x-ray tech, nuclear med tech, ultrasound tech, etc. would appeal to you–I think they don’t tend to have such long waiting lists. I’m not saying they’re not rigorous or a lot of work, because they are.
    Good luck.