Is a CNA course enough experience?

andpeggy · Sep 24, 2008

Hello--

From what I've discovered, the CNA course is NOT enough to get you a position in a hospital, unless you know someone on the inside. Most hospitals definitely prefer hiring CNAs who are currently in nursing school. I've had some friends get jobs in acute care immediately after taking the CNA course, but they were extremely persistent and it was a few years ago. My advice would be to go for long-term care, get some experience, and then make the switch. That's what I'm hoping to do, starting next summer.

I applied to MCTC for this past fall, and they have done away with their wait list. As far as I know, the only school with a waitlist is the 2-year ADN program at St. Kate's. At MCTC, if you don't get in, you need to re-apply every year. They did have an alternate list (I'm an alternate for January 2009), but if I don't get the call to start, I'll have to re-apply. I think their website states that 800 people applied for 160 spots in Fall 2008. Yikes.

I hope that this was helpful...I'm currently waiting to get into a program, too, and I know how frustrating it can be. Let me know if you have any other questions!

:) lola

Stargazn03 · Sep 24, 2008

Lola, thanks so much for your post, it was very helpful. It confirmed was I was thinking, I figured it would be tough to get a job as a CNA in a hospital setting.

I am finishing my pre-reqs this semester and applying in January in hopes to get in for the fall. The reason I am so curious about CNA is because I am going to have to leave my current job to take the CNA course, and instead of going back to what I am currently doing, I would like to get experience in the medical field for as long as I can until I get accepted into the Nursing program (fingers crossed, the sooner the better!).

"I think their website states that 800 people applied for 160 spots in Fall 2008." If this is the case, that's about a 20% shot of getting in this year, eek! What are you doing in the meantime while you wait to get into the program? Are you taking any classes at MCTC right now?

andpeggy · Sep 24, 2008

Another poster recommended starting in LTC with a NA position, and then taking an acute care skills class to further my education and to bolster my chances of eventually moving to a hospital setting as a NA. MCTC teaches such a class, so definitely keep that in mind! I think that will be my plan of attack.

As for MCTC, I wouldn't think of it as a 20% chance...you just really never know. For example, I would bet that out of those 800 applications, maybe only 600 were complete applications. From there, they use their ranking points. Your best bet would be to have as many ranking points as possible. And even there, you never know. I didn't think I stood a shot of getting into MCTC for fall 2008 (I was missing 3 ranking points), but I got put on the alternate list for spring 2009. That was a pleasant surprise, actually! I would also just be sure to check out other programs, and really exhaust your resources. Check out other community colleges, St. Kate's, the U, Metro State--you know, do what you can within your limits. We all have limits to work with, but there are always options...

I took all my prereqs at MCTC--bio, chem, lifespan, etc. I have mixed feelings about the place, but would gladly take a spot in their program. And they provided an affordable and corporate life-friendly way to take my classes, so I appreciate that.

In the meantime, I'm pretty much just going crazy. :) It's so frustrating to be waiting and I know that many, many others are in the same boat right now. It's taken me a long time to get to this point, and I'm just so dang excited to get started. I never thought I could make the financial leap to work as a NA, but I think I have to next summer (after I pay for my wedding!), just so that I can be doing something in my desired field.

I hope that helps...let me know if I can answer any other questions! Don't give up hope and apply, apply, apply!

:) lola