Question: Uncertified nursing assistant?

[jennafezz]

Hello,

I'm currently finishing up my prerequisites to apply to nursing school, I'll be applying next Fall. I also work full time at a hospital, but just office work. The nursing school that I really want to get into has a supplement criteria for "paid work as direct patient care". I would really like to help my application with this criteria, and I was thinking that becoming a nursing assistant would be a great option. It would fulfill the requirement and give me a great feeling for what nursing will be like, good hospital experience, and a head start on clinicals.

My hospital doesn't require state certification for its nursing assistants. It says that completion of a program is required, though. I am also well liked and respected at my hospital, so I at least know that they would trust me to learn quickly and not quit.

I really want to transfer departments and be a nursing assistant (starting next summer, a year from now) but I am far too busy (full time work and full time school, and married) to take a real CNA course. I was thinking of just taking an extensive online nursing assistant course and then asking them to train me on the job.

My question: Does this sound doable at all to you? Or is it a terrible idea? I'm incredibly dedicated and a fast learner. I really want to do this but if there is no way to do it without enrolling in a real class or getting a job at a nursing home, I don't want to waste the 600$ or so enrolling in an online course.

Thanks!

[CritterLover, BSN, RN]

ask your hospital if it will be ok.

i worked for years as an uncertified na/home health aide before i ever got certified. i didn't take a class, i just learned on the job.

how well ojt will work for you depends on the facility/unit where you want to work.

i don't know about an online class -- do they even exist? (i'm sure they do, they have online everything now, but do they require a clinical portion?)

best thing would be to ask the charge nurse on the unit where you want to work, and gauge the reaction.