Student Center >> Student Lounge >> cna and moving on!
cna and moving on!
87 posts back to top |
Posted over 5 years ago I just passed the Florida CNA exam and want to move on to LPN and RN. Is possible to complete school in one year for LPN? Is it necessary to obatain LPN prior to RN? What is the best route to take while working fulltime and raising a family? Some suggestions please!!! |
1037 posts back to top |
| Posted over 5 years ago The answer to that question, is simple, and kind of expensive. If you want to complete your LPN or RN in about 2 years, you will have to pay~~~~. Private schools will allow you to complete a LVN program for about $20,000, here in California, I don't know about other states. The RN program, after the LVN license is obtain, is another $ 35,000 or more. This includes a ADN degree, and a advance degree will be more, so it is impossible to move on to LPN 1 year and RN in about 1 year, but you will have really pay for it, junior college is cheaper, if you qualify for financial aid, that will be a plus, but the prequisites will take about half a year, for LVN a,d about a year if you go full time. Good Luck!!. I am a proud mother of three beautyful daughter. I currently live in Los Angeles California. I've worked as a heathecare provider for almost 10 years. I am curently in school to pursue my MSN in nursing, and wants to work as a pediactric nurse, in public health. |
628 posts back to top |
| Posted over 5 years ago tmullis34465 said: You don't have to become an LPN before you become an RN. LPN programs generally are one calendar year (three semesters), but it may take longer if the program is competitive and you take time to complete pre-reqs (basic English, Anatomy and Physiology, etc) before you are admitted to the program. RN programs come in several flavors, each taking a different amount of time assuming no delays in admission. Associate Degree of Science (ADN) programs are generally taught in community colleges and theoretically take 2 years. Again, if admission is competitive (and it usually is) then it can take longer--tho the advantage there is you can fill time by taking other required courses like A&P, Psych, and Sociology. Then there's the traditional Diploma program which allows you to become an RN, but you don't usually get a college degree. These programs are traditionally hospital based, and include classroom courses while learning on the job. There are very few of these programs left, though they are starting to make a comeback. Traditionally, Diploma RN's are among the best trained nurses because they spend so much time in patient care while in school. Then there's the Bachelor of Science program (BSN), which always is taught at a 4 year college or university. These programs involve a classic liberal arts and sciences education along with core nursing courses. These grads are the ones who are most likely to move up the nursing ladder into administrative or educational roles. Of course, an ADN grad can always go for a BSN later (I did). Master of Science programs are also available, as well as doctoral programs for those of masochistic bent Almost all nursing programs are competitive, because of the demand for nurses, and the steady income nursing provides. Check your local area to see what programs are available. Check with your state board of nursing to make sure the program is approved (or you can't take the licensing exam, or Boards) and that it has a decent pass rate: some of the community colleges here in North Carolina have a 54% pass rate. Those programs aren't worth your time and money. Having your CNA can help you, especially if you've worked and put it to use. Bear in mind, tho, that once you get into a nursing program your instructors will probably re-teach you many things: to break bad habits, to reinforce concepts, and to get you to think beyond the CNA scope of practice. This latter problem is the biggest stumbling block I see for CNAs in my nursing classes. They can't stop thinking like a CNA and start thinking like a nurse. Nursing school is NOT just learning more skills than a CNA uses. It's about knowing what to do and when to do it: critical thinking. It is extraordinarily difficult to work full time and take care of a family in nursing school. I recommend my students work no more than 20 hours a week, and get family members on board to pick up your slack while you are in school. Getting scholarship money, grants, and other financial aid is usually important so you can do this. Check with the financial aid office of your school. If you don't qualify for a Pell Grant, a scholoarship, or other grants, you will likely qualify for subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Your employer may re-imburse you for your classes if you get at least a C, but may require you to pay the money back by working at the facility for 1-2 years after graduation. You can get out of that obligation by paying back the money for the classes. But don't try to work full time. I see many bright students fail because they would not cut back their work hours. |
|
1037 posts back to top |
| Posted over 5 years ago tmullis34465 said: she wanted the fast route, she has the option to go a private college, alot of my friends that are RN's and even LVN's took this route. My friend Jackie finished her RN, quickly, because she was a LVN. If you have a bachelor degree, you can do a accelerated BSN program for one year at a private college. In someways it is beneficial for her to do the LVN first, if she wanted to get her RN license quickly, especially, if she has a family to support, she can make more money as a LVN than a CNA, because when It come down to it, CNA's do not make enough money, It is hard to work full time in a nursing program, private colleges are more flexiable. My friends who were CNA's worked full time in a LVN program, and survived. Junior colleges LVN programs like you said, has alot of prequisites, and waiting lists etc. The college I attend, they cancell the LVN program for one year, who has time to wait, like you said, Tmulli, you want to move on!! I am a proud mother of three beautyful daughter. I currently live in Los Angeles California. I've worked as a heathecare provider for almost 10 years. I am curently in school to pursue my MSN in nursing, and wants to work as a pediactric nurse, in public health. |
