Got accepted to Ncc's nursing program, should I take a CNA course before it?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Okay so I just found out I got accepted to Ncc's Fall 2014 nursing program, which starts in september 2014. On june 2nd there is a CNA course that's 6 weeks long which will end july 14th .. Should I take the CNA course?? I was thinking that maybe it could help me with my nursing classes when I take them.. I just don't want it to interfere with anything else because I think they give you a summer reading for the nursing program at Ncc, I'm not sure yet because I just got the acceptance letter today with little info on what we're doing yet. I just don't want to get overwhelmed. I mean once I'm done with getting my certification in July I'll have one month one month and a half to do w.e it is I need to do.. What do you guys think?? will the CNA really help me for my nursing classes? Should I take the CNA course?!?

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Hi BeccA81494, I am also starting nursing school this fall and I just finished taking a cna 1 course that is required to get into the program. But even if it was not required, the experience was truly an eye opener in getting me a little bit more comfortable taking care of patients (mainly residents at a nursing facility). I was not sure how gentle or how not so gentle to be like when bathing someone, brushing their teeth, helping them get dress and stuff like that. The clinical experience helped me a lot so to answer your question I would say "yes" but it is totally up to you. Good luck on your journey through nursing school.

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If you don't plan on working as a cna during nursing school then I wouldn't do it. But doing it to get your foot in the door for when you finish nursing school is a good idea.

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I believe the program will help a lot and give you really good skills for the Nursing program it helped me..!!but its up to you , the CNA Course teaches you basic skills and ,the laws and procedures of patient care..

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

In my state you can apply for a nursing assistant cert after you complete your first semester of nursing school, without having to go to CNA school, you just have to pass the test.

That being said, my work experience as a CNA did help me because I was already familiar with the way hospitals and nursing homes are run and it helped me learn therapeutic communication and patient care.

However, lots of people don't get certified as nursing assistants and still get through nursing school just fine.

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Hi Becca,

I have a CNA certificate and I'm trying to get a part-job in a hospital because I think it'll help me a lot during clinicals. However, I will say, it took me a long time to find a job without experience. So if you take the CNA course just be prepared to apply for lots of jobs which might be a drag if the program has already started. I took the CNA program at Queensborough CC and it was a pretty good program. Good luck to you. What section are you in this fall? I'm in B2

Annie

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