Does CNA job helps in Nursing School?

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Hello I am starting my ADN program soon and I currently working full time as assistant store manger, I am planning to quit my job soon and work full time as CNA because both jobs paying the same, I am a little bit hesitating about it becuase I really don't know if CNA job helps me in my future career as a nurse or not.

I think working as a CNA is almost necessary in the current competitive market for nursing. Not only do you get to see the application if what you are studying, you pretty much need the relevant work experience to get a job these days. I was a retail manager when I was starting RN school and left to be a CNA in the emergency department (I have EMT/Fire background too). I learned at least as much on the job as in classes and one of my coworkers have me the reference that got me my job.

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Yes definitely. At my college, we have to be a CNA before we can apply, and there is a lot of lab that covers CNA work. Turning, positions, moving patients, taking vital signs, enemas, hand washing, lifting, restraints, etc. I have been told that the best nurses started out as CNA's. I have been a CNA for 33 years and now am in my 2nd semester of nursing school and it helped me tremendously in lab, and thereafter in clinical. So go ahead and get your CNA because I believe it will make a difference, especially if you are a CNA and you will know a little more than those who aren't. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I think that working as a CNA can be very helpful for those planning to enter nursing school. I got mine in 1996. My 1st job was at a nursing home and then I got a position in my local hospital. At that particular hospital, the new CNAs were being cross trained to the unit clerk position as well. That experience is really helpful, especially the unit clerk training. I came along when most hospitals were still charting and writing everything down. So, I was able to see alot and learn alot as far as labs and meds, etc. Working on the floor, I was able to learn the basics in taking care of patients.

A benefit, as mentioned before, is the foot you will have in the door when you finish school and start looking for a job. What better place to cut your teeth in than some place familiar where you know the staff and the layout of the hospital. Most hospitals will also offer tuition reimbursement, like my hospital. You can also obtain health insurance, which some schools are requiring when entering the nursing program. Also, most hospitals will offer CPR training and renewal for free to their employees. Our hospital has all kinds of classes that you can take. You may also be able to get your immunizations there for free. They will do your PPD, flu shots, etc. You can have all that ready when you get to school. A lot of students didn't have the right CPR (healthcare provider) or their PPD, insurance, and immunizations, etc. It can be very stressful in the 1st semester trying to get your paperwork in order. It could delay your ability to go to clinicals. You miss clinicals. You fail the course. As a CNA, you can start school with most of that done and out of the way.

The best thing for me is my co-workers. They were so excited when I got accepted into school! They have been so amazing. They have been allowing me to assist in foley insertions. They let me work on drawing up meds (using saline bottles), priming tubing for the IV, and just explaining things to me in great detail. One of my co-workers is a clinical instructor and she has been amazing. I work as a unit clerk on night shift. Luckily I have frequent downtime and can shadow the nurses and take time to learn and practice various skills under a nurses supervision. There you get the real world experience as opposed to the "proper way" of doing things lol.

So, working as a CNA/Unit Clerk has definitely been helpful for me. Good luck with school!

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It helped me - I already knew how to do basic care, I was able to comfortably converse with patients. I definitely came across as more comfortable and confident than my colleagues who didn't have patient care experience, and patients seemed more at ease having a student work on them when they didn't come across as scared/nervous.

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Specializes in OR, Medical/Surgical, Orthopedics.

Absolutely! I am currently in nursing school and working as a CNA at a hospital. I was accepted to nursing school in 2011, but at the last minute I decided to decline my nursing spot and enroll in a CNA program instead. I did this because I needed a job while in nursing school but I wanted something that would help get my foot in the door and possibly help me when I graduate nursing school. All I can say is best decision I ever made. I did the CNA program, got a job a hospital and reapplied for nursing in 2012 and was accepted. I have no idea how I would have done in the nursing program if I didn't have my CNA job. It has helped me tremendously through every exam and clinical numerous times. Being a CNA has greatly increased my knowledge, allowed me to get that exposure I needed, as well as boosted my confidence with my interaction with patients and their familiies. I love my job now and can't wait to finally be a certified nurse this year. :)

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Any direct pt contact job in the hospital setting will more than likely help you in the real world, "out-of-school" setting if you work hard at it and look at it as a learning experience instead of just a job (not saying you don't by any means)... Like someone stated before, it may not necessarily help with the school-work end of things, it will definitely help with patient contact. Its all what you take out of it!! Love what you do, and changes are bound to happen. I work at a local rehabilitation hospital around 21 hours a week as a Behavior Technician for the psychology department; I mainly work with the TBI and severe CVA pt's who have psychological issues stemming from their injuries. Without a doubt it is the BEST job/learning experience I've ever had, and I absolutely LOVE what I do. I've been told by numerous clinical instructors in my BSN program that I have better communication skills than other students and can handle the emotions and up-and-down mood swings some people experience even in the general hospital better than most in my clinical groups. Not only has it helped with learning how to "defuse situations", it's helped tremendously with my patient contact skills. I've been doing the job for around a year now with about a year and a half left in my program and can honestly say that I feel more prepared than most in my class thanks to my job outside of school. Take a job as a CNA!! While you may not notice at first the changes it can make, you'll gradually notice the changes in yourself both at work and in the clinical setting. Hope this helps, and best of luck to you!!

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Specializes in Case Management, ICU, Telemetry.

It's just my opinion but I think...

YES. HAND DOWN. FOR SURE.

Being a CNA first is extremely helpful. You are so much more comfortable with patient care, you understand the way that some things work. I wish that I had left my job to be a CNA before becoming a nurse. Even things as simple as how to interact with someone on the level of "You are a patient and I am part of your healthcare team"... is huge. Bed making, bed pan emptying and other ADLs are all still considered nursing skills- you will have them down pat by the time you become a nurse if you are a CNA before. I had a really hard time with really easy things like getting patients up to the bathroom and positioning patients who are bed bound... I was putting bed pans under people upside down until after being a nurse for 6 months and one of my co-workers noticed... not a fun way to find out lol.

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I have worked as a PCA for several years. My opinion is that you will have the knowledge of patient care, medical terminology, & how to properly work within the units. You pretty much learn the basics of nursing care. I think having a your foot in the door is helpful when it comes to transitioning within your facility. So being a CNA/PCA is beneficial in that manner.

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I just completed my first semester in nursing school and I am very thankful for the 10+ years I have had as a CNA. Clinical was very easy for me because I knew how to manage my time properly, perform basic nursing skills and I also had a great level of comfort while communicating and working with my patient. If you have the opportunity to be a CNA, I say go for it. It's great experience.

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WOW Thank you all guys for your feedback I already had an interview for a CNA job but they are waiting for me to take my state test which is tomorrow so wish me luck. I feel more comfortable now and I really appreciate your encouragement and support to me it really means a lot..... I was hesitating but now I am definitely going for it

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WOW Thank you all guys for your feedback I already had an interview for a CNA job but they are waiting for me to take my state test which is tomorrow so wish me luck. I feel more comfortable now and I really appreciate your encouragement and support to me it really means a lot..... I was hesitating but now I am definitely going for it

Good luck! You will do great! :up:

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I am hoping that it does, I have been a CNA for 6 years now. I dont see how it would hurt though. Also, You will do fine on your test! But Good Luck anyway!!!

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