Question for nurses, nursing students, and CNA's.

CuriousMe · Nov 9, 2009

Hello everyone,
I'm looking for some opinions based on sound experience in the nursing community. I was going to apply to a few nursing programs this Fall for the following year, but recently had a conversation with an admissions advisor at what will remain an "unnamed" school. In any case, they said that in spite of the 14 As and 1 B I have completed for the prereq courses that I stand a snowball's chance in Hell of getting into a nursing program because I have absolutely no medical experience; for instance, volunteering, pushing a broom in a hospital, working as a "CNA", a receptionist, etc. They suggested I get a "CNA" and go in the trenches for a year, then apply. So....my questions.
Do you think this person is correct in light of the overwhelming amount of applicants for nursing programs?
I've read nothing but horror stories about CNA jobs. Duties entail the worst of the worst of the worst. Moreover, pay is not a living wage.

Thanks,
K

It depends on the school. If it's an OCNE school and they use some of their discretionary admission points for health care experience...then she's right. Basically, for the OCNE schools if you don't max out the discretionary points...you won't get in.

However, I applied to two schools and got accepted to both, and I don't have any real health care experience.

OHSU (as opposed to a community college in OCNE) focuses on your essay a lot, which gives you the opportunity to speak about what you were doing instead of "pushing a broom around a hospital."

Personally....I'd be more concerned about the B. My first year that I applied (I knew that I had more prereq classes I wanted to take...I just wanted to see if I'd get in....I hadn't finished A&P, would finish by the end of that spring though). I had a 4.2 GPA and didn't get in. That was mainly because the school I applied to, gave discretionary points for having all 45 credits complete by the end of the winter term.....and my A&P wouldn't be complete until the end of Spring.

Best of luck!

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Nov 10, 2009

Like the other poster said, if it was an OCNE school than she is right. I applied for 3 years before I got accetped into a school during those 3 years I became a CNA and gained hospital experience.

If you apply to OHSU, Linfield, U of P, or Walla Walla, you may have a better chance of getting in without CNA experience, but all the schools are so competive at getting in.

Good Luck

TristanT · Nov 11, 2009

Even if you have the grades to get into nursing school... consider this: You will have an even more difficult time getting an RN job without the CNA (or MA or EMT) experience. I didn't do the CNA for the same reasons=horror stories, low pay. Now I'm an unemployed RN because everyone who worked as a CNA before nursing school (and that's most folks these days) will get the interview before me. So now I have NO PAY and nice fat student loans to pay. Talk about a horror story.

kamaboko · Nov 11, 2009

Tristan,

Where did you graduate from? How long have you been looking for a job? Just curious.

Thanks,

K

caliotter3 · Nov 11, 2009

There were several students in my class with no experience in health care. However, if you pursue avenues to gain experience you are strengthening your application and your chances to be admitted over someone with the same qualifications but with no experience.

TristanT · Nov 11, 2009

I graduated months ago from UW. And I started looking for a job last spring, before I graduated.

I had pre-nursing school med office experience, and I will say that this is the ONLY thing that has gotten me the interviews I have been offered. It's just brutally competitive right now. That is, getting into nursing school is the tip of the iceberg. BTW, nobody, not one hospital, has ever asked me about my GPA and in nursing school we all helped each other through the classes. Don't get hung up on the grades.

WenAnn01RN · Nov 18, 2009

I have run the gamut in the health care field. Worked as a CNA, Unit coordinator, LPN, and now RN. I think that working as a CNA is vital. It may provide insight as to whether nursing is really what you want to pursue. It gives you a sense of how the team runs. It will help you as a nurse because you KNOW what the members of a team are supposed to do. As a nurse you may be required to perform tasks that are traditionally delegated to a CNA. It helps if you know how to do them. I don't believe that you should be kept out of a nursing program, but I think that even working the job part time would be extremely beneficial.

frisco96 · Nov 18, 2009

I wouldn't let one person stop you from anything. This is your life, YOU get to write the story. There are several "mature" students in my class that worked in the corporate world, or taught school, we even have an artist. They had no medical experience whatsoever. I guess it would also depend on your schools requirements. Keep in mind, that nursing jobs are very cyclical. In the near future, there will be time when everyone will have a job before they graduate. We're in a down cycle right now. It will pick up. Last thing, people love to share horror stories. Take what you like and leave the rest. :):) Good luck in your decision.

majinfla · Nov 18, 2009

The story and comments are most intersting. I would strongly suggest inquiring about the requirements that the school you wish to attend, will be judging you on when they are making selections. They may not be forthcoming but it's worth a try. In the year, one, 0001, when I went to nursing school, they had 400 applicants for 45 slots so competition was rough. I had all prereqs completed and was also an operating room technician. But my friend who was going to be a teacher switched her major and applied to nursing school AD program with me and we were both accepted. We had been told that no one with a score lower than 45 percentile on the NLN exam would be considered. They are selective because they need to maintain the schools credentials and can only do that if their students pass the licensure exam. That doesn't seem to bare any resemblance to how they test you in nursing school. Back to year, 0001, I passed on my first attempt with a perfect score in OB. Back then each area had a separate test. And you needed to score at least 350 out of 700 to pass that area. I don't believe they will ever make it easier and I don't believe they should. I went on to obtain a BSN with honors, and a NP and then a JD.

RealiRN · Nov 18, 2009

I for one think that working as a CNA prior to nursing school is an excellent idea. For instance, why do you want to become a nurse? What do you really know about the profession? You mentioned that a CNA's duties are the worst of the worst. I can tell you, that as a nurse with 10 years of hospital experience, I have often worked without a CNA. Patient care isn't glamourous, as a nurse there are plenty of times you will have to jump in the trenches and perform the "worst of worst duties". If you find the thought of CNA work unappealing, then maybe you should consider other career opportunities.

rachelerin · Nov 18, 2009

I am in nursing school now and I had no experience either. I had heard that experience would help get me in so I went and got some. I had friends who were RN who talked to their NM and allowed me to shadow (the interviewers loved that) and I went to an alzheimer's home and volunteered. If you don't have experience, find some. And as for the CNA's doing the worst of the worst, that is what nursing school is all about. Some of the best teachers I have had in the hospitals for basic patient care is an experienced CNA, not to even mention what you learn from them as far as time management.