Worth getting PCA or CNA before RN????

[Steph2078]

Hi everyone,

I am taking some classes right now towards the nursing program. I am going to try and get most of my sciences out of the way before I enter the nursing program to make the work load easier since I work 7 days a week. I recently started a job in a hospital as an operations associate, at the front desk on my unit. I do transcriptions, files, charts, phones, interact with patients a bit. However the more I am there, the more I want to do more for the patients. Do you think it would be worth it to get PCA or CNA training before my RN? I am not even sure what they require for PCA's. If you have any advice, I'll love to hear!

Thanks Stephanie:p

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

I think it's a good idea to get some experience with direct patient care as a CNA/PCA prior to becoming a nurse. You will be building on that experience, and some things will be familiar to you through your previous experience as a CNA which may make clinicals seem less intimidating. Also, it is good to know just what CNA's work entails and how vital they are to nursing. Nothing like walking in their shoes in order to appreciate what they do when it is you delegating to them in the future.

[studentOH]

Helpful but not necessary. But if you want to I say go for it, it'll be great experience for you. Also check out the student thread and go back, they've had several good threads on that topic.

Sbic: I *love* that signature line.

Brian

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Brian

Thanks...I wish i would've thought of it myself. I'm not sure exactly who coined it, but it worked for me!

[mario_ragucci]

You don't need al that preliminary "hassle." Just do your thing during RN school and givit your all. You know.

[ptnurse]

I think that I would give some consideration in pay (if any) before I stopped my progress toward my RN status to do CNA training. If you can make more money while you are in RN school, it is worth considering. Otherwise, I would skip it.