Were You a Nursing Assistant

allnurses Guide · Mar 25, 2008

Yes, I was a CNA/PCA for 2 years before becoming an RN. It helped with some of the basic nursing skills, such as bed baths, glucometry, even learning how to draw blood and do EKGs. I'm glad I had that experience because it did make the transition a little bit easier.

Where I work, CNA's are not allowed to do ekg's, blood glucose checks, draw blood, etc.

In nursing school, the first part was learning CNA duties. Making beds, bathing patients, taking vital signs.

steph

IckuRN, RN · Mar 25, 2008

OMG! I got my butt kicked on a regular basis as an ICU tech. I learned tons about "real" nursing. It was an awesome preparation for me, and I am so glad I did it. I don't suggest it though, if you can't remember that the text book answers differ from what the nurses really do.

Perpetual Student · Mar 26, 2008

No. I never even held a formal job prior to becoming a nurse.

chibear55 · Mar 29, 2008

Yes And It Was Required Before You Could Go To Nursing School. Also Being An Lpn For One Year Was Required For Rn School. Both Are A Very Good Idea.

HangTen! · Mar 30, 2008

Hey everyone. New here, looks nice:)

To the question. Yes I was. I believe it makes you a better nurse.

Be Safe. My :twocents:

newdawn_45 · Apr 3, 2008

No, came into the program as a Paramedic. God bless the CNA. What a tuff job. :heartbeat

AprilCNA · Apr 4, 2008

I've been a CNA for 2 years and was a PCA for six. I found that by working in the hospital in the Surg Unit, helped expand my knowledge and boosted my interest in the nursing field. I'm currently half way through school to get my RN, and continue to work on the Surg Unit. I find this invaluable expierence and plan on working on the unit as an RN. The nurses are so great in explaining what they do to me, so i feel as though I'll be in a great position when I become a nurse. I also encourage people to become a CNA before or during school to become an RN. This way you're exposed to what a CNA and nurses really do, and to see if this is the right field for you before spending thousands on schooling. :clown:

PCU22 · Apr 10, 2008

1. Yes

2. Yes... I saw more as a CNA/Patient Care Tech at times than I did throughout nursing school. It's all about rhythm and getting the exposure to the lifestyle of healthcare.

time4meRN · Apr 12, 2008

Oh my, I was a nursing assistant back in Florence Nightengales day. I worked on a med surg unit in 1977 , back in the days that the nurses smoked at the nurses station, the pt's smoked in bed, the beds wern't electric, we gave back rubs at night, people came in the the hospital for a "rest". Ha..... wow I can't belive I'm that frekin' old. But anyway, yes it did help me to realize what nursing is about. I also have a friend who is an MA, who talked about being a nurse for 20 years, finally decide to be a PCA in our ER, after 3 weeks she changed her mind, it was good that she found out she wanted nothing to do with nursing before she wasted time and energy on school.

dzd&cnfsd · Apr 12, 2008

yes

I worked as a nursing assistant while gaining my nursing degree. Did it help? Yes, I think so.

acscoolerthanyou! · Apr 16, 2008

hello im new!

im just finishing up a cna course right now and hoping to work as one til it get into and while im in nursing school. i really hope its gonna help me with nursing school and just nursing in general.

during my clinicals a couple weeks ago a nurse told me that she can tell a difference in their nurses who were cnas before. she was also a cna before nursing school so maybe she was a little biased.

i also am an emt basic and thats helped me in my cna class a lot actually. just getting an understanding of body systems how to move patients blood pressure and some other things.

either way i like the cna course so far and im pretty sure ill enjoy working as one to and through nursing school.

Ginger45 · Apr 26, 2008

My mother was a NA. I used to go to work with her. I worked as a NA while I was in college. It was hard work but I would not be the nurse today had I not done it.