Tired of Waiting for Nursing School? Become a CNA.

By Jeff Morrow, December 20, 2008

How 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 Schools with no waiting lists

• LPN to RN
• LPN to BSN
• RN to BSN
• RN to BSN / MSN

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 Certified Nursing Assistant - 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
7. Check out the number of CNA jobs in your area.

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.

Related LPN and RN Programs

Online Nurisng Degrees - No Waiting Lists

LPN to RN
Innovative online program for an LPN to RN (ADN degree) is now offered with No classroom attendance needed from an NLNAC Accredited University via The College Network. You can earn your degree in a fraction of the time at 1/2 the cost of traditional programs, and the best part is there is no WAITING LIST. Learn more.

RN to BSN
With 30 FREE credits with your active RN license we make going Back to School easy! Earn both your BSN and MSN egrees in a fraction of the time at 1/2 the cost of traditional programs. The Regis University (AACN-CCNE) accredited RN to MS in Nursing. Learn more about this innovative RN to BSN or MSN online degree program.

RN to BSN / MSN
RN can take the fast track to earning an MSN. Earn both BSN and MSN degrees in a fraction of the time at 1/2 the cost of traditional programs. Local clinicals and No Clinical Testing, and no waiting lists. Learn more.

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