It all depends on the program.  You'll need to check to see what the program requirements are.  When I originally went to nursing school, it wasn't not required to have a CNA/STNA license but now many schools are requiring their students (LPN and RN alike) to at least get their CNA or STNA license before being eligible to apply for a nursing program.  That doesn't mean you have to actually use that license and work as a nursing assistant, but they want you to have had that training beforehand - basic patient care like bed baths, ADLs, vital signs, etc. 

I don't know how much the nursing assistant courses are where you are located but here they run anywhere from $500 to $1500.  Some facilities will offer "free" training to those who want to be a nursing assistant in exchange for you working for them.  You can always check out that option. 

Call the school you are interested in attentding and find out what their admission requirements are for the nursing program - that's the best way to find out what you really need to do.

Good luck!

Kellye

having been a CNA prior to becomming a RN I would recommend getting that type of expeerience for a couple of reasons at least that i can think of.  This experience exposes you to basic bedside care.  it puts you down in the trenches so to speek . It can provide you a source of income while working on your nursing studies.  for me it made nursing school much easier it was almost as if i had been exposed to it prior to studying it in the class room  it gave me an edge as well as make  clinicals much easier.  This is also a good time to  get aquainted with some seasoned nurses who will take you under ther wing and help you along   (they are out there all you have to do is be open to them .) .   the last i heard you don't have to have the experience but it sure helps.  I went to nursing school, attained an adn and raised three children  all at the same time while working night shift at the hospitial full time .. Was it easy  no    would I do it again   in a heart beat.  Whichever course you choose to follow I want to encourage you to keep your eyes on the goal and do not falter, do not be discouraged  the going will get tough but the tough keep on going.   the end result is well worth the price  Ive been in the profession for over 30 years and there is'nt much i would change.  There is life after nursing school.

Hiya lavelleb!

Let me start by saying I am very much like you in that I am taking my pre-requisites right not to get into the nursing program. For me I will actually take the last possible classes I can take next term and should be entering a RN program in Fall of '11. For me there are 3 community colleges within driving distance and 2 public universities within driving distance still that all have RN programs. The community colleges of course have the ADN meanwhile the universities have the BSN programs. Speaking of the community college programs here I found all 3 schools to have different stances on CNA's, EMT's, and LPN's. For example the school I am taking all my pre-requisites at has a transition program that they can enter into but if they decide to go for the generic RN program the school accepts everyone based on a point system. For 1 years experience they allow 1 point in the points system. With that the school does allow students who do not have previous experience to volunteer for 100 hours in no less than 3 months time to earn that same point. So while they may have an advantage in having worked in the field the schools entrance process evens it out. Now at one of the other schools they do give preference to LPN's who originally obtained their license in our state but it's a slight preference cause you still have a once again points based system to get into the school. Finally the last school has two RN programs like the first school but gives no preference to those wanting to do the generic RN program. So you can see within our area how all three schools vary.

One thing you might think about is at the schools here the LPN programs are a 1 year program and are covered by Financial Aid and student loans. So if you did want to go a shorter route you might consider that over the CNA path.

Good luck to you!

Peter

I am from Ohio and here it is a requirement to be CNA/STNA upon enterance to the program, although they will allow you to begin classes and give you a deadline in which you must meet. Ohio also has very many places that offer free CNA/STNA training. I jope everything goes well for you laveleb!

I was a NA, before they were CNA's and before they became formalized with requirements. I was an NA before I was an RN. I was in a special program in H.S. where I learned how to be an NA>

This would be a question to ask the authorities at the school where you plan to apply for admission to a nursing program.  No one here can answer for the programs that you are considering.

You should also find out, how many points in the past were usually the minimum cutoff for admission to the nursing program.  If it is even remotely close, you may want to consider the CNA just for the few extra points.  It's usually a short program, and doesn't last more than a few weeks.  When I went to RN school, I had no hands on medical experience at all.  I think those that had done the CNA did have a slight edge, especially when it came to the first 'awkwardness' of taking care of barely clothed people.  I still remember that shock, even after 24 years.

lilmspuddles says ...

imunique says ...

I am from Ohio and here it is a requirement to be CNA/STNA upon enterance to the program, although they will allow you to begin classes and give you a deadline in which you must meet. Ohio also has very many places that offer free CNA/STNA training. I jope everything goes well for you laveleb!

 

Where are you in Ohio? I'm in Cleveland and at my school you once you complete a certain portion of the LPN program your eligible to take the Nurse Aide Competency Exam and then you can go through the LPN to RN bridge program after you finish the LPN program. You don't have to be a STNA to start a nursing program up here.

 

 

where are you going to school at im in akron and looking to bridge from lpn to rn