CNA cert. as a pre-req?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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The ADN program I'm considering is revamping their program and will now require CNA certification as a pre-req. They are also no longer using the HOAE (Health Occup. Aptitude Exam) but now using the TEAS.

Has anyone else had to obtain CNA certification before they could apply for their nursing program? The way the current program is set up, at the end of your 1st semester of nursing classes, you could sit for the Nurs. Asst. I and at the end of the 2nd semester, sit for Nurs. Asst. II.

If I pursue this route, it will set me back just a little bit because of having to add another layer (CNA cert.) but I was just curious if this was something wide-spread within other programs out there.

We weren't required to have the CNA certificate to apply, but it must be completed before our first day if classes. We can take it on our own or through the school during Maymester. After going through the class, I'm glad it's not a part of the program and we are able to focus on the more difficult material.

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Thanks everyone for all your input! I'm frustrated by the requirement but only because it's just "one more thing" I've got to tackle and I'm not able (as of yet!) to make my schedule work where I can work on that as well as pull all the pre-reqs that I need to get rolling. If I take the continuing education route, the classes are T/W/R from 5-9:15 for roughly 3 months, and that class is roughly $300 plus supplies and then $100 to take the exam for certification. If I take the comm. college program, it's 2 hrs each Monday, and then 10-3:15 T/W/F but financial aid will cover it. It's the same amount of time, roughly 3-3.5 months. If I to the CE route, I have to pay out of pocket but I can fit more of my pre-req classes in during the day.

Sometimes it's just so hard to make a decision!

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I have to have my CNA before I start nursing school in the fall. My school offers a two week intersession for it.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Can you go to a more flexible school to earn your CNA? I took a 20 day full time CnA course. My school also had a 2 month weekend only CNA course. It cost more than the JC, but was pretty inexpensive compared with other CNA schools in my area.

BTW: CNA wasn't required to apply to the RN program, but it did boost your chances because you earned additional points. It was required for most LVN programs, but, ironically not the one I ended up in.

I think that the exposure CNA school gave me to the works of nursing was invaluable. But I, too, wouldn't have wanted it to be mandatory as this would have set me back from my eventual goals.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

My program does not require it, but it's something I've heard of.

I've got mixed feelings on making it a requirement. As others said, it can be costly and time-consuming when you are trying to get into school, and if you are already acquainted with the healthcare field, it seems a little repetitive. However, I got my CNA about a year before starting the nursing program, and it has been invaluable to my dedication to becoming a nurse. I love my job right now and use it as a learning opportunity, and it has made me much more confident that I can do this. Also, a lot of the skills you practice every day as a CNA are ones you will repeat in that first fundamentals class, so the extra practice/experience in working with patients is terrific.

I think requiring some sort of experience in the healthcare field should be required, but not necessarily through CNA. If you already work as one, great. But other experience - phlebotomy, EMT, etc. - should count as well. If you don't have the funds/time, volunteering hours at a hospital/other facility should count. I think it's fair to require nursing students to actually see what they are getting into first.

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I'm Raleigh/Durham area of NC and yes I've noticed most of the CC require you to be listed on the CNA registry before starting. However, at least at the programs I looked at didn't require a class, just suggested it. You certainly could challenge the exam. I know when I took mine a few people studied on their own instead of taking a class. Closely study that materials provided on the DHSR website - practice exam, candidate handbook, and review the NC CNA youtube videos. If you do all that you will most likely pass.

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@Iheartcremebrulee

I'm in far western NC though I've been to Raleigh once or twice. I didn't know that the exam could be challenged so that is good to know. I will have to look into that some more!

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I'm in Raleigh as well. The program I was accepted to does not allow students to only challenge exam. We have to prove that we completed a CNA class, pass the exam and be on the CNA registry by July 1st.

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