[jbjorn2b]

Hi all,

I hope that someone might be willing to give me some direction on the following situation. I am starting prequisites this summer with the hopes of applying to a second degree program in PA or Ohio. I am going to be taking the following courses at a local community college:

1. Microbiology

2. Introduction to Chemistry - This is a 091 level course for those who have not had chemistry before. After this class I will take Physiological Chemistry and Chemistry with Biological applications in the fall and spring.

3. CNA Certification Course (thisis a 75 hour, 5 credit course which will last about four weeks.

I am struggling with whether to take the CNA course during the Summer, Fall, or even at all. My main reason for considering CNA certification is to gain some clinical experience during the pre-requisite period and also because it's an added bonus on my nursing application.

What is your advice? Is the CNA worthwhile or a big wast of time and stress?

Thanks.

[nursemedic78]

If your program doesn't require it, I'd call it a giant and enormous waste of time and money. Everything you will learn in a CNA course is geared toward long-term care and, if you take it, you will simply do it all over again in your first Foundations course.

If working in a nursing home is your chosen career, then the CNA course will probably give you some good insight. If you want to work in a hospital, office, or other setting, pay note of the fact that most hospitals, offices, etc., do not require (or want) their ancillary personnel to be CNAs.

If you want to give yourself a more broad base of experience and make your application stand out more, then I would suggest that you take a one-semester EMT-Basic course. You will learn far more about direct patient interaction in EMT-B than in CNA and that is the thing that nursing students (collectively) have the hardest time with during their primary education.

Just my two cents worth.

[czyja]

Originally Posted by jbjorn2b

Hi all,

I hope that someone might be willing to give me some direction on the following situation. I am starting prequisites this summer with the hopes of applying to a second degree program in PA or Ohio. I am going to be taking the following courses at a local community college:

1. Microbiology

2. Introduction to Chemistry - This is a 091 level course for those who have not had chemistry before. After this class I will take Physiological Chemistry and Chemistry with Biological applications in the fall and spring.

3. CNA Certification Course (thisis a 75 hour, 5 credit course which will last about four weeks.

Are you planning on doing all this over the summer? If so, I would say it is way too much. Most folks find their first semester of chem to be a challenge - it is a very different way of thinking. Micro is no slouch either. Give yourself the time to master the concepts and get good grades.

Good luck!

[LinfieldNursingGuy]

If you are applying to any other associate degree programs, the CNA will give you extra points. I applied to a associate program but lacked enough points from a CNA to get an interview. You may want your Chem before Micro, but it depends on your science background.

So I got accepted into an accelerated BSN program since I already have a BS. Our program qualifies us to test for our CNA at the end of our first term. Check with your 2nd degree programs - they may gave a similar option.

You can get some experience by volunteering at a local hospital. Try a local VA hospital, the always need volunteers.