Benefits of becoming a CNA before Nursing School??

[Emile]

Would you advise someone to become a CNA before starting Nursing School? Is it really worth the money and time?

Thanks

[run123]

My school does require CNA as a pre-requisite to both the LPN and RN programs :)

[funtimes]

Good for your school. I think all students should be required to be CNAs before starting nursing school. Nursing school barely covers some of the things CNA school emphasizes, the logic being RNs will simply learn this stuff on the job.

One thing that stands out is safely lifting and moving patients. CNA school places a lot of emphasis on this. You continualy practice and are tested using different lifts and lifting techniques on each other, from lifting someone to and from a wheelchair to a bed to practicing controlled falls on each other while ambulating. In my first CNA gig physical therapists worked with us during orientation and we had to be signed off by them doing different transfers on residents before we could work on our own.

This training was invaluable during my time working as a CNA and tech, and I was continually amazed/appalled at how horrible RNs are at these most basic skills. Some of them really don't have a clue. When I was doing heavy lifting and transfers with another CNA I always felt safe knowing the person I was working with was at least minimally trained and competent at what we were doing. With RNs its always a roll of the dice and many of them are horrible at it, and even worse you cant tell them how to do it properly because there is ego involved and as RNs they are led to believe they know everything a CNA knows and more. Nursing home RNs usually know enough to defer to the CNAs on such matters, but in a hospital you cant tell some RNs anything.

Requiring ALL RNs be CNAs first would eliminate a lot of back injuries and patient falls.

[Get2theChoppa]

Of course any healthcare experience is going to be helpful, but I'm going to part from the crowd here a bit. Getting my CNA cert was only somewhat useful. The best thing you learn is how to position your own body so you don't hurt yourself. Also nursing schools like to see the cert on your application. However, I think EMT/paramedic is more useful. The EMT/paramedics in my program were far better when it came to learning cardiac and had a huge heads up on ECG readings. Looking back I wish I had gone a similar route instead of CNA. CNA is only useful in the short run with very fundamental things that do not require any thinking.

[nagem_]

For those that aren't sure if they will like or fit into a medical environment going the CNA route can an inexpensive and low time commitment to find out. I knew I wanted to get into patient care but some can have issues with it. I say try it out, if you like it continue climbing the ladder.

:) Suzanne

Yes! I was going to say - I've known several folks in nursing school who got jobs as CNAs, etc and once they got their foot in the door it was like "woah, this isn't what I thought it was going to be". A PCA at my hospital actually recently quit her job AND school because she realized nursing wasn't for her.

Good way to get your feet wet!

[cuppycake]

i have questions on CNA but system is not allowing me to post my topic as it is forcing me to type 600 words.what madness is this?

[cuppycake]

ok so i can post comments here.

i want to do CNA course but to join the CNA training, is it mandatory to have a GED or high school diploma? please advise.thanks.

[notnursezelda]

Have you checked with local hospitals? Usually they train too so you shouldn't have to pay put of pocket.

[princesscoronado]

My hospital is known to hire new grads for CNA . They have educational money up to 5000 and you're guaranteed a job after RNschool

[lbeck0614]

Whatever nurse says that they are too good for "disgusting" jobs like cleaning a patient, or getting in the trenches to clean up vomit, are in the wrong field. Nobody in nursing is too good for helping a patient..in whatever way we can. I am looking into becoming a CNA while taking the rest of my prerequisite courses, and I am no spring chicken either. I want to be the best nurse I can possibly be, and that means wiping butts, and making the patient feel loved and appreciated. Don't listen to people who tell you how "gross" that is, especially a nurse, because they will burn out if they aren't there for the right reasons.

[Gcossio]

I agree with you I am a CNA and maybe it is a dirty job persay, but it is very rewarding as well, I LOVE my residents they gave me a renew reason to continue my education to become an LVN Knowing that i gave all so my resident even if only brief didnt feel alone or forgotten and loved then i know i did what my calling was. And its not just a job , it is a calling .....