CNA/Medical ***. to lpn?

Question

Does it make sence to become a CNA/Medical ***. and then an LPN? I already have a college degree in HSA. whats the next best thing to do?

Answer 1

The question is, unless you need the job sooner, why waste the time in a CNA/MA course.

Dont get me wrong, CNAs perform a very important role in our hospitals, nursing homes and the home health settings, and there is a need for good CNAs. And the experience as a CNA will make you a better LPN/LVN or even RN for that matter, but it really is not neccessary, unless it is a requirement for admission to the school where you are applying. In some areas of the country, for some reason I have yet to understand, they require all applicants to certain nursing programs to have experience as an NA. This would make the RN better at the technical skills and housekeeping type skills of the nursing units, which are not performed as often by RNs anymore. But studies have shown that any differences between pre-trained RNs and RNs who just took the program were not statistically significant in less than 6 weeks. (It takes longer to train, certify and work as an NA)

I would say, unless you need the job to get through school, or it is a prerequisite for the program, I would, personally, go straight into an LVN/LPN program. However, if I did go to a CNA course and start working, I would also strongly consider going to an RN program. With your degree, you should have some transferable credits which would decrease the time the course would take, and an associates can be completed in, usually, 6 months longer than the LVN/LPN program, But the opportunities available to you and the income as an RN would be much greater.

Answer 2

Actually, once you finish the initial part of the LPN program, you qualify in most places to work as a CNA. The very first part of LPN school teaches the same thing that CNA classes teach. It would be logical though to make it a long term goal to go to RN school as well.

Answer 3

If you haven't actually "worked" in health care I would get your CNA and "WORK" in health care, atleast for 3-6 months!! I went to nursing school with some girls that hadn't ever been a CNA and once they found out what nursing was all about decided it was NOT for them!! CNA duties are the basis of nursing (direct patient care) and if you don't like that; why waste the money for college on nursing? I was a CNA for 3 years before I started nursing school. I thought the experience helped make nursing school a little easier. I had past experiences to relate to, like the "little gray haired lady with parkinson's" I could picture her and remember her actions. It was just easier to relate to when trying to learn details about diseases. In my state most CNA courses are only a 75 hour course and only costs ~$200. They do have a program in our highschools that is a semester long. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

If you already have a degree, I'd consider an RN program.

Answer 5

10 out of 10 for making an a*ss of yahoo