CNA to RN?

I think it's a great idea to be a CNA while in nursing school. It gives you some experience and looks good on a resume. It won't however, make it any faster to become an RN. Some schools like the fact that people are CNAs as far as acceptance though. I'm a brand new CNA and just got a PCT job at a local hospital! I'm do excited to start. I start the nursing program in the spring! Oh, and also if you can land a CNA job at a hospital, some have tuition reimbursement!

Don't worry about "fast".

This is where people get into trouble.
For example, many worry about how fast they can get into a program. They don't want to wait so they jump right into crummy money-sucking programs or find they are overwhelmed by trying to do too much at once.

If you get your CNA first, you can get a job as an aide.
Ideally, this would be in a facility that offers tuition reimbursement.
If not, then you can get your feet wet, build a good reputation and then get a job with reimbursment.

When you get a job with reimbursement, you can have much-- if not all-- your nursing school (associates in a community college) paid for by your employer AND you already have your foot in the door for an RN job when you graduate.
You will be a known comodity in the workplace already... a bonus for them and you.

Once you get a job as an RN, work may also pay for your BS in nursing.
So... you can go for fast, pay out of pocket or take out loans you have to pay back with interest...
Or you can go slow and sweet.

This is my suggestion.
I became a nurse for practically free.

Check out this option, but only you know what will work best for you.

Good luck!

I totally agree with this post and the other one. The more knowledge and experience you have the better. Becoming a CNA will allow you the opportunity to get exposed to the hospital setting or nursing how what have you. It will also allow you the experience to work underneath an RN and you will have insight into their job as well. It's like a win-win!! Good luck in your decision!!

I think it is great to be a CNA before or during nursing school. This will give you some level of comfort in the health care field as you enter your nursing clinical. More importantly, as a CNA you'll get your foot in the door AND gain valuable direct patient experience. The direct patient experience will certainly help you as you are seeking your first RN job as a new grad.

I'm enrolling in my schools CNA program in February. I'd do it sooner, but it conflicts with my A&P I class. I can't wait! Although I'm sure that on top of other pre-reqs is going to be harsh.

As an aide in a hospital i would much rather work with a nurse that has been a CNA before they became an RN. They are much more willing to help rather than walk to the opposite end of the hall to find me and tell me that "mrs. jones needs to go to the bathroom" when they just walked out of Mrs. Jones' room to come find me!!!

They all aren't like that but there are a few!! Sorry if that offends someoneShift+R improves the quality of this image. Shift+A improves the quality of all images on this page.