CNA vs DSP experience?

[ShelbyaStar]

Hi there. i am just starting my journey into nursing and am looking into different programs and options.

I am interested in Osh Kosh's accelerated program as I already have a BS in Animal Science and don't want to waste a lot of time. It sounds like they greatly prefer people with CNA experience, which I don't have.

BUT I recently was hired as a Direct Service Provider for a nationwide company taking care of people in an assisted living setting that mostly are brain damanged, mentally ill, or mentally retarded. It seems to me this is better than being a CNA because I will have experience passing medications. It also pays slightly better than most CNA positions, and I don't have to spend the $700 or so to become certified as a CNA. Finally, the company hires nurses too so I figure that I have a pretty good chance of being hired as a nurse there since I already have experience in the company.

Thoughts?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

go for it. You will get valuable experience.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Both would offer you valuable experience but I believe you are correct that this type of position is more diverse than a CNA. CNAs typically work in hospitals or nursing homes- places that have 24/7 nursing. In group homes or residential schools, nursing is often not available 24/7 so things like medication administration are delegated to staff.

[Raciea YoursTruly BrnQueen]

I have a quick question. Im a DSP and i was told that we were not suppose to work with individual that needed total care. I recently gotten train to work with a consumer that uses a feeding tube. But.. They did not teach me how care for her she cannot walk, sit up basically shes bedridden so my question is do anyone know if she suppose to be living in a group/cila home...this lady can't do s### i help her out because i feel sorry for her but i believe its not fair to her aswell. I think they want to keep her for that$$ but under paying us piece of s####?