How-To: One Way To Avoid Nursing School Waiting Lists

Nursing schools have waiting lists two and three years long. If you want to become a nurse, but don't want to stand in a long line to get into nursing school, rest assured that there are many ways to avoid the long waiting lists.

There are many job opening for qualified nurses. In fact many employers pay starting bonuses that range from $2,000 to $10,000. They will help pay for your continuing education.

In this article we'll discuss the quickest and least expensive way to become a nurse and will point you to other ways to bypass the long nursing school waiting lists.

Nursing Jobs - The Nursing Career Ladder
Fortunately, the nursing profession offers job advancement at a steady, manageable pace. You can start out as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), move into a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) position, and then work your way into Registered Nursing (RN) job, and beyond.

Starting out as a CNA is also a fast, inexpensive way to find out if nursing is the right career for you.

Many nurses enjoy flexible working schedules, often working 3, twelve hour shifts each week. With a schedule like that, there is plenty of time nursing school to attain the next nursing job in the career ladder. In addition, while you are working as a nurse, many employers will help pay for nursing school.

How to Become a CNA
Entering the nursing profession as a Certified Nursing Assistant is a relatively easy route to take. If you already have a high school diploma or a GED, there are several paths to getting the training and experience you need to become a CNA. You can attend CNA classes at a community colleges and vocational or adult schools. Some hospitals still offer CNA programs but they are few and far between. Classes generally last 6 to 12 weeks or a minimum of 75 hours of instruction. Some states require more hours and programs range from 75-150 hours.

The quickest route into nursing is through a vocational school, but that is also the most expensive route. Waiting lists for Certified Nursing Assistant programs are either non-existent or very short.

Advantages of Becoming a CNA:

1. In a relatively short period of time, you can enter the nursing profession
2. While you work as a CNA, you can apply to a Community College or Vocational School to become an LPN
3. You can gain experience as a nurse, gain an understanding of where you would like to take your career
4. You will know nursing from the ground up
5. With the experience you gain, your application to any school will be considered more seriously because you have already
   demonstrated your commitment and passion for nursing.
6. It is the least expensive route to becoming a nurse

Disadvantages of Becoming a CNA

1. 
   You must juggle work, school and other commitments such as family
   
2. There are limits to the care that a CNA can give. If you want to provide more care to those in need, you will need to wait until you gain your LPN or RN license.
   
3. It may take a little longer to accomplish your ultimate career goal

One pragmatic way to enter nursing school in the next month or so is to consider earning a certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and then while your earn experience, a salary, let your employer help your pay for your continuing nursing school education. Learn about other ways to get into nursing school without waiting two or three years.