CNA before RN

[HealingThoughts]

Is it a good idea to get a CNA before applying to a second degree nursing program? If so what schools are good in the Flint Mi area.

My end goal is to get into the second degree Nursing program at UM-Flint (I have non-nursing BA already). I've applied to the pre-nursing program for the Fall. In the meantime, I feel the clock ticking.

Right now I'm unemployed. My unemployment money has dried up. So I was thinking of getting into a CNA program and working while I do my pre-reqs. The problem is, I have no clue where to train to be a CNA. I don't want to get ripped off and I need to do it as cheaply as possible. Also I've heard there might be some schools that have a bad rep which means no one hires their students.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on where to go? Since I'm broke - a program that will let me get some sort of financial aid or loan would be ideal.

[shan409, ASN, BSN, LPN, RN]

I believe that would be a good move so you will have healthcare/nursing care/patient care experince under your belt. I am not familar w/ the Flint area. Sorry. I'm from Detroit.

[**guest2015**]

Michigan Works sometimes assists with tuition assistance, and the American Red Cross offers CNA classes

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Most community colleges have a CNA program that is reasonably priced and certified.

I highly recommend working as a CNA during nursing school -- it helps you to have experience in healthcare upon graduation/licensure so that you're more marketable, and it also helps you be able to apply as an "internal" candidate if you're working in a hospital.

Virtually every single classmate who was working as a hospital CNA got an RN job at their facility immediately after graduation/licensure from our community college program, while those for whom healthcare was a new/second career waited a lot longer for job offers to come in.

[Bbett, MSN, NP]

You can work as a CNA after your first semester of nursing school so I wouldn't waste the money!