A few questions...

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I have no experience in the medical field but am considering going to school to become a RN as a career change. Do you think working as a CNA will give me an idea of what it would be like to work as a RN?

Also, what are the typical starting salaries for someone who is a new CNA? I live in Maryland.

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Specializes in NP student.

Hi

I have started with CNA (had no previous medical exp), now am enrolled in LVN program. In my case it was very helpful , I love this job and planning to go further. Nursing is my second career and true passion. A typical pay in convalescent hospital where I had my clinicals was about $ 10/h.

Good luck to YOU

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Yes! You absolutely, 100% positively, should have CNA experience before becoming a nurse! Many people think of nursing as glamourous. Becoming a CNA will let you see just what nurses have to deal with.

Also - as far as getting through nursing school, becoming a CNA with help you more than you can ever imagine. I became a CNA while I was on the wait list for nursing school, and I really think that is what made me more successful than many of my classmates. I didn't have to spend time learning how to take a blood pressure or make a bed.

I also have gained some insight into the pecking order of hospitals, and feel I will really appreciate and be treat my future aides well and be able to use them well!

- I'm an aide on a telemtry unit in a hospital. I make $15/hr.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in OR, Medical/Surgical, Orthopedics.

I'm currently working as a CNA at a hospital while in the nursing program. I couldn't imagine it any other way! I've learned so much in just a year working and I know it is definitely helping me make the grades I want. I get to work along side the nurses and get an insight to what their career is really like. Plus, I'm always able to go up to the nurses and ask them any questions I have or to assist in whatever they're doing so I can kick my classes and clinicals in the butt!! Not sure what the starting salary is in Maryland, I live in Texas. I know of some nearby nursing home CNAs making around 9 something an hour. I started off around $13 at my hospital working the float pool unit. Good luck to you! :)

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Specializes in Surgical.

I have my BA in Pre-Law, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. I took an internship at a law firm and HATED it. So I decided to do something completely different and head to nursing school. Before I shelled out all the money, though, I wanted to make sure I would like my career change decision. I enrolled in a CNA course and started working as a CNA. LOVE it! Definitely gives you great experience and my teacher told us that we would be the "best of the best" in nursing school because we are ahead of the gang. You will be more comfortable around patients and you will already have your foot in the door at a place you may want to work as an RN. Good luck!

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yes, becoming a na would help you a lot on your way to become a nurse. at hospitals, you get to work along side nurses all day and see what they do. and you can always ask them questions. and you can pretty much pick up all sorts of thing so it's a great learning experience. i haven't started nursing school yet, but i am happy to know that i won't be one of them students struggling to take vitals and be uncomfortable with patients and their very personal spaces.

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Working as a cna will definitely help you in nursing school I have gained so my knowledge and experience with blood pressures, making beds, dealing with different people, etc and it gave me so much confidence when I did my clinicals at nursing school. It will really help you in the long run.

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