Does becoming a CNA help you if you want to become an RN?

november17, ASN, RN · Jan 14, 2014

I was an aide for several years before and during nursing school.

Being a CNA is practicing the art of basic nursing care. That is taught in nursing school, sure, but it isn't practiced very much during clinical. People that work as a CNA on the other hand, may have had years of practice with basic patient care while working before they ever even set foot in a clinical setting. It helps immensely during school since you won't need to spend very much time mastering basic nursing skills - personally it made my first semester a breeze.

It would help you understand that healthcare isn't some glamorous job like they show on TV, where everyone is hanging around the nurse station saying witty one-liners or there's some kind of drama happening.

Also, becoming a CNA would be the first step to assuming your identity as an RN. I know when I started working as a CNA I was really proud of it. Like, I provide healthcare, this is what I do. Now many years later I can look back on my resume and I'm proud to say that except for a short gap when I tried to switch fields and be an electrician, nursing care is what I've always done in one form or another.

I remember I had a classmate drop out of RN clinicals after a month and a half when she was exposed to the reality of nursing care. She didn't like it. She decided to be a respiratory therapist instead. But if she had been a CNA she would have had an idea of what she was getting herself into. In that sense, being a CNA is a good way to test the waters and see if nursing is a good fit for you. I remember being 19, in a CNA program, and setting foot for the first time in a clinical setting. I walked in and said hi to the patient I was assigned to, he mumbled something and pointed at his butt, I looked under the covers and there was poop EVERYWHERE. That was my first lesson in assisting someone that was dependent on me for their care. Its never really got any better but at least I knew what to expect after that.

I also got to work in several different areas as a CNA- something that I'd never get to do as an RN without extensive orientation. It helped me figure out which area was a right fit for me and I was able to pick a job I liked right after graduating - some RNs graduate, take a job, hate it, then switch areas within the first 6 months and then bounce around until they find one they like.

Does it help your time management? Yes. It helps you learn how your day should be structured into manageable parts to get the tasks done that need to be done. Show me a new nurse that skips breaks or stays 3 hours after their shift charting and I'll show you a nurse that probably never worked as a CNA. Being a CNA taught me how to get done the things that needed to be done in a certain timeframe (generally revolving around when it was time to eat).

Does it help you learn the tricks and techniques you need to provide care? Yes. I'll use an example, putting a plastic bag over someone's foot while getting their TED hose on makes the process as easy as putting on any pair of socks. They didn't teach that in school, I learned that on the job as a CNA. I make sure every single one of my patients gets a bath everyday, even if I have to do it myself...something I learned as a CNA. Some of my RN coworkers don't even pay attention to whether their patients get bathed or not. If there's an RN reading this, when is the last time you asked your patient the last time they got bathed? When is the last time you made sure your patients belongings were in reach when you left the room so the patient wouldn't hit the call light 50 million times for this or that? When is the last time you got up and rounded on all your patients to make sure their needs are met before you went on break so you don't get interrupted? There's many many other examples I could cite that I simply learned or got in the habit of during my experience as a CNA.

I don't know any nurses that think they are above CNA work, however I do know a lot of CNAs that think RNs are lazy or purposely avoid answering call lights etc etc. I think there is a huge misperception and blurring by CNAs over what exactly the RNs role is in the clinical setting - I know I used to carry that same misperception. However, having been a CNA before being an RN, I can see both sides of the coin and I understand where they're coming from.

ComeTogether, LPN · Jan 17, 2014

In my opinion it helps. That being said, being a CNA prior to nursing school does not a good nurse make. Also, being a crappy nurse doesn't mean said nurse wasn't a CNA once upon a time.

Its a misconception that nurses who are CNA's first, make awesome nurses and its a misconception that if a nurse wasn't a CNA she/he won't be as good of a nurse as someone who was.

Personally, I think all nurses should be CNA's first if only to truly understand the difficulty of the position. How absolutely back breaking it is and to actually have to BE in the position of working with (some) people who think that they are above you, that they're better than you. Who think that because you don't have a degree in nursing you're not intelligent. So that they'll never do it to someone else. ((((disclaimer...I know not all, and not even most nurses have this mentality, but the sad truth is, some do))))))

Too many times I have had nurses bark orders at me for no other reason that sheer personal convenience. Too many times I have heard "let me get your aide" when the task could easily have been done and over with by the time I got there. Not because there wasn't any time, not because they didn't know how, but because it was the "CNA's" job.

I've also seen nurses who were once upon a time kick ass CNA's, spend so much time helping the patients that they got behind in their own work or were late with meds etc. etc.

Its all a balance, and sometimes its a delicate one. A GOOD nurse knows how to manage her time, when to delegate and when to do it herself. A good nurse knows a good CNA is worth their weight in gold and can spot a crappy one a mile away ;-)

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jan 17, 2014

Being a CNA has helped me with clinicals, patient care, and very understanding of othe cnas because they work hard. Most of the nurses that I ran into that werent cnas first were snobby. Not all but most.

slilly · Jan 20, 2014

I know the nursing program here requires you to be CNA before getting into the program. All the RN's I work with are more than willing to help out with patient care when they have a free moment and so I think it definitely helps an RN appreciate their CNA when they have been in their shoes.

Mr Sacdiff · Jan 20, 2014

As others have stated, working as a CNA will get your feet wet in the medical field. You will pick up on medical terminology, see procedures, become comfortable handling a variety of types of patients.

A good, intelligent CNA can certainly recognize a good nurse. I have a nurse that I work with that does almost everything to the "T", but she rarely helps with cleaning her patients or any type of ADL's, even if two people are required. Sure, she's doing enough to "cover her ass", but that doesn't make her a good nurse. I also have nurses that do everything they need to do AND, when necessary, they help bathe, clean incontinence, place bedpans, etc. These are good nurses. I have certainly heard a nurse say "I don't do poop." That's not a nurse.

Nursing is more than documenting, handing out meds and changing dressings. I challenge nurses to read and research what nursing really is. You'll find that your CNA's do most of your "nursing". That's not a nurse's fault, that's the fault of our government and frivolous lawsuits. Nursing is making sure your patient is comfortable. Making sure he/she has enough blankets. Making sure he/she is clean after using a bedpan. Holding their hand when they are having a hard time coping. Nursing is so much more than "a job" which our society is turning it into. Unfortunately, nurses lack the time to do "nursing". One shouldn't talk to CNA's in the manner "how is a CNA qualified" blah blah blah. Some of us lowly CNA's have been on this planet longer than these high and mighty nurses and have experienced a lot more.

Anyway, back on topic. CNA experience is great and many people decide to make a career out of it. The nerd in me requires me to finish my nursing program though.

It will take you awhile to get comfortable as a nurse regardless. Remember there is not "Nursing duties" and "CNA duties", as someone previously stated. EVERYTHING that is done or not done to a particular patient is the responsibility of the Nurse. That is why they are licensed. Sure, a CNA has a job to do and will probably be reprimanded or fired for not performing their job, but the consequences for the nurse is far worse. Be humble and remember no one is below you and you will probably be a "good nurse".

kaydensmom01 · Jan 20, 2014

As others have stated, working as a CNA will get your feet wet in the medical field. You will pick up on medical terminology, see procedures, become comfortable handling a variety of types of patients.
A good, intelligent CNA can certainly recognize a good nurse. I have a nurse that I work with that does almost everything to the "T", but she rarely helps with cleaning her patients or any type of ADL's, even if two people are required. Sure, she's doing enough to "cover her ass", but that doesn't make her a good nurse. I also have nurses that do everything they need to do AND, when necessary, they help bathe, clean incontinence, place bedpans, etc. These are good nurses. I have certainly heard a nurse say "I don't do poop." That's not a nurse.
Nursing is more than documenting, handing out meds and changing dressings. I challenge nurses to read and research what nursing really is. You'll find that your CNA's do most of your "nursing". That's not a nurse's fault, that's the fault of our government and frivolous lawsuits. Nursing is making sure your patient is comfortable. Making sure he/she has enough blankets. Making sure he/she is clean after using a bedpan. Holding their hand when they are having a hard time coping. Nursing is so much more than "a job" which our society is turning it into. Unfortunately, nurses lack the time to do "nursing". One shouldn't talk to CNA's in the manner "how is a CNA qualified" blah blah blah. Some of us lowly CNA's have been on this planet longer than these high and mighty nurses and have experienced a lot more.
Anyway, back on topic. CNA experience is great and many people decide to make a career out of it. The nerd in me requires me to finish my nursing program though.
It will take you awhile to get comfortable as a nurse regardless. Remember there is not "Nursing duties" and "CNA duties", as someone previously stated. EVERYTHING that is done or not done to a particular patient is the responsibility of the Nurse. That is why they are licensed. Sure, a CNA has a job to do and will probably be reprimanded or fired for not performing their job, but the consequences for the nurse is far worse. Be humble and remember no one is below you and you will probably be a "good nurse".

That is part of nursing but not all of it. Being a nurse is assessing the patient physically and checking labs to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment- something that the CNA does not do. Being a nurse is checking to see if the medication that you are giving the patient is contradicted or needed- something that a CNA can not do. Being a nurse is to know how to tell that your patient is decompensating and know what to do about it- something that a CNA may help with but ultimately does not do. And there is plenty more. People want to say that nursing is all about the "calling", but it is not. You might WANT a unicorn nurse that holds your hand and cries with you but you NEED a smart nurse that knows what to do in difficult situations. Ultimately nursing is doing whatever you can to promote the survival of your patient- it is evaluating the effectiveness of treatment and altering the plan of care based on your assessment and information that you gathered. I'm not saying that it is not important to be empathetic, but that is not all nursing is.

Mr Sacdiff · Jan 21, 2014

I understand where you're coming from. I also believe you're speaking of what nursing has become. I believe nursing has become more of a science than nursing and honestly believe it may need a new name. Like Multitasking-Care giving-hair pulling-pushers of meds.

leonard_huh, BSN, MSN, RN, APN · Jan 21, 2014

as usual all these topics transition into a argument which is typical. I am in my last year of nursing school and have been working as a CNA throughout my BSN program. So I can answer this question to a portion. I never knew the reality of nursing of what it was expect from reading and hearing what others have said. When Becoming a CNA it helped show the reality of how people treat each and sometimes the lack of foundation on teamwork and communication because of the different backgrounds and experience people come into this field with. I feel that being a CNA exposed me to different parts of the hospital and the fields I like to be in, also to see how patients should be treated because when you take care of them and help them out your shift will run smoothly but if you ignore them and just hope someone else can do the job for you is the type of nurse that is always stressed running around. I think being a CNA helps with exposure to the job being comfortable, allowing you to learn from the nurses mistakes and do things the right way. Overall there is a lot of flaws and everybody works differently and in reality its the management who need to take a closer look and see the performance of staff members to resolve issues. You can only do the best you can even with the most difficult patients.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Jan 21, 2014

I have met nurses who were aides/techs before becoming a nurse and some are fabulous....others not so much. They get into this "well I'm not longer an aide so I don't have to do dirty work now that I'm a nurse" mentality. I still think becoming an aide/tech before becoming a nurse is a great idea, though. It helps you get your basic patient care skills down pat and you learn a lot of things. I was a tech before becoming an RN and in addition to basic patient care, we were allowed to do blood draws, start IVs, do dressing changes, insert foleys, etc. I honestly did more of that at my job than I did in nursing school. I learned a lot. I'm also a bit of an introvert and working as a tech actually helped me become more comfortable in the patient care setting. Becoming an aide/tech can also be an eye opening experience for some. Someone may have their heart set on nursing and then realize it's not for them...better to go through CNA training and find that out vs. going through 2 to 4 years of college and becoming something you don't want to be not to mention all of those student loans.

ComeTogether, LPN · Jan 21, 2014

I've seen a lot of people chime in and say being a CNA will only help you in your first semester.

The thing is, there really is a lot to be learned while working as a CNA, IF you look for learning experiences and ask questions. If you show up, do you thing and then go home you won't learn much other than basic ADLs. If you work as a team with your nurses, and show them you're a hard worker and you are truly there to help as well as learn as much as you can, you'll learn a lot, and not all of it has to do with material.

I ask questions, pay attention and soak it all up. I don't just ignore the 3 ring binder the nurse is carrying around all day. I ask her what its for and why shes using one instead of a clip board. I ask what certain meds are for and what they do, what certain labs are for etc. etc. No, there isn't always time for me to ask these questions, but sometimes there is and my nurses have always been happy to explain. Am I going to get to nursing school and know everything? NO! But, many of the meds won't be foreign to me, many of the procedures Ive seen done. When they give me two patients to care for I'll know that really I have to multiply that by at least 3.

As I said before, I've worked with some nurses who were just jerks. BUT The majority of the nurses I've worked with I got along great with. Most of the nurses at my last job would be excited when they saw I was assigned to their section, and you know what? If I asked for help, I got it. This is because they all knew If I was asking them for help I couldn't do it alone and I couldn't find a CNA to help me. If they had a fun dressing change or some kind of procedure they knew I wanted to watch they would come find me and let me watch. Sometimes they would even enlist my help for moral support for a difficult patient etc. I've even had doctors see my interest and invite me to watch bedside procedures.

In my experience, if you do your job and you try to make the nurses job as easy as you can, not only will you learn a lot (if you want to) because the nurses will have time to teach you. (sometimes)

When they aren't getting calls all day to toilet patients because you've been proactive and already done it, nurses are much happier and have more time to talk to you and teach you. This isn't always the case, obviously. There will always be lazy people in all positions, and there will always be days where, no matter what, everyone is slammed.

For the most part though, this is my experience.

pixiestudent2 · Jan 21, 2014

I can see how being a Cna could be helpful. But I think if I became a Cna first, I would have ran like hell after doing clinicals for CNA in a nursing home. I'm almost done with nursing school and I think I'll enjoy working as a nurse, but I know I would HATE being a Cna in a nursing home and I'd probably hate it in a hospital as well.

ComeTogether, LPN · Jan 22, 2014

I can see how being a Cna could be helpful. But I think if I became a Cna first, I would have ran like hell after doing clinicals for CNA in a nursing home. I'm almost done with nursing school and I think I'll enjoy working as a nurse, but I know I would HATE being a Cna in a nursing home and I'd probably hate it in a hospital as well.

I love it. I'd do it forever if it paid more than McDonalds. Why do you think you'd hate it? The workload or the tasks?