[Jessy_RN]

Originally Posted by pricklypear

It depends on whether or not you are planning to work during school. If you're not going to work as a CNA, and it's not required, why bother. There's nothing in the class that you won't be taught in your basic skills class in school. I found working as a CNA (part time) was helpful just to get comfortable with the setting and routine. It was my little window into nursing.

Wonderful advice and I agree. I do plan to continue working during nursing school, therefore I am taking the CNA course in August. Just want to move from a non-health related job to one that is.

Good luck

[lost_as_an_easteregg]

I was always pretty certain I wanted to be a nurse, but never 100% positive til I became a nursing assistant. I love being around the nurses and hearing the terms and coming home looking them up to see what they mean, and a couple of nurses don't even care if the techs ask ignorant questions out of curiousity. Although I don't get to spend much time around the nurses, because I do work in a nursing home, it has helped to give me some insight to what they do and how time management will really be an issue. And whomever said you won't get as much experience in a nursing home is right, it's mostly the sicknesses and wounds over and over, but I still love it. If I have to work while in school, it may as well be the field I want to go into.

[Miss_Priss]

Originally Posted by lost_as_an_easteregg

I was always pretty certain I wanted to be a nurse, but never 100% positive til I became a nursing assistant. I love being around the nurses and hearing the terms and coming home looking them up to see what they mean, and a couple of nurses don't even care if the techs ask ignorant questions out of curiousity. Although I don't get to spend much time around the nurses, because I do work in a nursing home, it has helped to give me some insight to what they do and how time management will really be an issue. And whomever said you won't get as much experience in a nursing home is right, it's mostly the sicknesses and wounds over and over, but I still love it. If I have to work while in school, it may as well be the field I want to go into.

If you don't enjoy being a CNA, does that mean that you will not enjoy being an RN? I'm not a CNA but considering taking the course and working for experience.

[land64shark]

Originally Posted by Maggie in NC

The other thing: It taught me how to check off skills which is a BIG thing in nursing school. It was worth $75.00.

Maggie,

Where did you take a class for $75? I called the Red Cross here in Tampa Bay and they told me $475! There are ads in the classifieds that advertise around $300 with "easy payment plans" I want to take the class, but the price is deterring me especially since I'm not sure I'll actually work as a CNA.

[GirlCalledJack]

landshark, those are the same prices I found around here, so I'm just taking it at my community college where my financial aide money can pay for it... *sigh* it seems nothing is ever easy