[Tinkjack]

Greetings to all,

I am new to this site and I am looking for information.I recently attended the firemans academy and had to drop out due to claustrophobia.While I was in school we went through the "First Responder" program and I really enjoyed it.I was planning on going to EMT school,but a friend suggested I try nursing,my question to the veterans is what would be the ideal starting point,starting EMT school,going to nurses assistant classes or nursing school.Any advice or criticism would be apprieciated.


Thanks in advance for your time.

[cougarnurse]

Welcome to the site, Tink! Nice to meet you. :waving: Out where I am, schools require one to be a CNA before starting the clinical component of school; thus, I would lean toward that as a starting point. It gives you hands on care experience.

Hope you post often!

'Cat'

[Tinkjack]

Thanks for the insight Cat,checking right now for courses in my area(Naples,FL) for the CNA program. "crosses fingers"


-T

[justatraveler]

Originally Posted by Tinkjack

Greetings to all,

I am new to this site and I am looking for information.I recently attended the firemans academy and had to drop out due to claustrophobia.While I was in school we went through the "First Responder" program and I really enjoyed it.I was planning on going to EMT school,but a friend suggested I try nursing,my question to the veterans is what would be the ideal starting point,starting EMT school,going to nurses assistant classes or nursing school.Any advice or criticism would be apprieciated.


Thanks in advance for your time.

Not all schools require CNA experience. Ask before you jump. I do think nursing should be an apprenticeship. CNA-LPN-RN. It might stop some of the attrition at the bedside. OJT never hurts.


Good luck.

[cougarnurse]

True, traveler, not ALL schools require the CNA experience; here you do.

Of course, Tink, check into what the local programs require. Good luck!

'Cat'

[MagRedC5]

:welcomescroll:

I know Texas BNE does not require CNA as a prereq to nursing. However, not a bad idea to get certified as a CNA prior to starting RN program. Then, could work part-time as a CNA while going thru nursing school.

Tinkjack; check with the school counselor, or nursing school advisor would be your best bet regards to developing a logical plan.

Good luck!

[Annakin]

Good luck, Tink (I used to have a cat named that)

Many schools do not require you to become a CNA *or* an LPN before going for your ADN or BSN ... thank goodness! I knew exactly what I wanted, and I didn't believe I had the time to "waste" getting certifications in areas I wasn't going to work in. I had no intention of working as a CNA nor as an LPN, so going straight to RN was what suited me best.

Decide what you want and go from there. Good luck!

Annakin