Should i just go straight into the RN or start with CNA?

Nurses are highly needed right now! But if you aren't SURE it isn't something you want to jump into before you make your mind up because there is almost NO profession as hard as nursing and no education that is stricter...lots end up dropping out before the middle of their first year. I was a career counselor that placed people into schools for various professions...so I know. GO to a school...talk to them and ASK to be part of some of their classes to observe. THEN go to a hospital and actually TALK to some nurses. Don't base all of your decision on any one nurse, talk to many. Some become HARD after time and can be a real turn off while being asked about THEIR profession. They see so many come and go...they aren't SOLD too easy! Once you are sure...go for RN. The CNA will only give you a salary a "bit" above a aid and with a lot of the stress to go with it. If you dedicate yourself to making it no matter WHAT...you can finish RN in two years and have your financial future sealed with a "kiss" for life. But the SCHOOL is TOUGH. Many areas require A's and B's are a failure! It requires at least five days a week AND four hours a night to make it...and possibly tutoring to boot! You will NOT be able to work and go to school...it isn't possible with this schooling. You will have to attend EVEN if you are almost dying...no excuses for sickness of you or family members allowed...in the schools i dealt with five days of absence sealed you as "out of there." You must go to school SICK. One girl had a daughter in the hospital...but to keep her place she had to go to school, days and to the hospital nights, or choose to quit and lose the whole thing. Its that tough. After about two or three months you won't be able to look in the mirror and recognize yourself...you will lose sleep and weight and NERVES, too. If you have a husband and children, the husband MUST be told that during at least your first year he LIKELY will have to be "mommy" and housekeeper. OR someone else in your family will have to. ITs THAT TOUGH!!! But the bright side....you are making a HUGELY significant dent in your future and happiness. I told my students to get through the rough spots by remembering that this was just a "moment" actually in their lives and that of their children and AFTER THEY MADE IT...they would never have to worry about money or their families future, ever again. RN's also have the "pick of the litter" as to where they can go to work when they graduate. Others are usually "stuck" beginning their career in nursing homes...a very "not good" atmosphere. And the wages in my state (missouri) are top of the line....at around $30 or more per hour as your gain your abilities and knowledge to provide good quality and and reliable SERVICE to people...this is the OTHER up side...its a life that gives you something "inside" that no one can take away. Your helping people who cannot help themselves...HOW WONDERFUL! Not many people get to have this type of feeling or love for what they do in this world and have such a secure high paying work that makes them feel this way! After graduating some go on a "full time" schedule that includes a possibility of 36 hours on duty, with the rest of a week off! This is good, if you can live up to the 36 hour schedule with no problems. Its hard...sleep wise. But you don't HAVE to have this schedule it is just a preferred one because of the large amount of time OFF for family. Hope this helps some, Blessings in your Quest! Bunny7

If you are not sure you will like it then try CNA first. It will give you an idea about the nursing field. Then you can work as a CNA while you go to nursing school.

go become a rn.

your CNA's is like super easy to get and its fast. i got mine when i was in high school. to be an RN most tech schools have a long waiting list. it takes a bit longer also.