High School student would appreciate advice - Page 2

There is wome wonderfull advice on these boards....whatever you choose stick with it and continue with your education!

1. What a CNA does varies a lot by setting. On a floor it is usually vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, pulse ox), and then helps with baths, linen changes, starting/stoping feeding pumps, emptying foley bags, taking out IVs before discharge, taking the discharged patients to their car, etc. In an ICU, the nurses do a lot of that work, so our CNAs take VS during admissions, make sure supplies are stocked, help turn and change patients, grab supplies for procedures, etc. It is a job that will give you great insight into what nurses do. However, nursing is very different from CNA work. I love being a nurse, but could never be a CNA.

2. The difference between a BSN and an ADN is the BSN is a 4 year bachelor's degree, and the ADN is a "2" year associates degree. I put the 2 in quotes, because it generally still takes longer than 2 years to finish. A BSN is preferred for the acute care hospital setting and with the current job market a lot of places are only hiring BSNs. You also have to have a BSN before you can get your master's in nursing, so there is no reason why you shouldn't just get your BSN right after high school. An ADN would be a waste of time, imo.

3. As long as you can get into a 4 year university, I wouldn't retake the chem class. You'll probably have to take it in college anyway, so just focus on it there. I think most nursing schools have you do your first year or 2 of college and then apply to the nursing program for the last 2 years. (This varies by school, but this practice seems common.) So just work really hard that first year in college to get all As. Nursing school admissions are extremely competitive. Just check out these forums

4. Some states require a 6-8 week class. Some hospitals will hire you and just pay for your training there. You will need to see what the hospitals around you require. Start looking for jobs on the hospital web sites.

1. I am not a CNA so I will let someone who has been one answer the question about what they do. I do know from friends that it can differ from state to state and from facility to facility.
2. Both an ADN and a BSN are nursing degree programs that prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensing Exam - Register Nurse) and become an RN. The NCLEX is the exam used in the United States for determining if you meet the competency requirements for effective and safe nursing practice at the entry level. The ADN is an Associates degree in Nursing (usually a 2 year program) and the BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (usually 4 years). Both programs teach the same core curriculum that usually includes Med/Surg nursing, Pediatric nursing and Maternity/Newborn nursing. A BSN program takes will include more Nursing Theory study.
The reason why people are recommending going for a BSN instead of an ADN is that more and more hospitals are requiring a BSN. I am confident that ADN programs will be phased out sooner rather than later.
3. I would suggest taking Chem again because the knowledge carries over into other required classes such as Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology and Pharmacology.
4. Every state has different requirements for getting your CNA. I suggest that you google the CNA requirements for your state.

Obtaining a high GPA, and finding instructors who will provide references later on is essential. You need to aim for A's, since schools are competitive. Furthermore, if you can volunteer at a hospital while you're in school, you'll have an idea what nursing is about. I would also recommend going right to a BSN if possible. Many facilities want the BSN. Good luck!

An LPN is a difference license than an RN, so they have a different scope of practice. LPN schooling is shorter and they have a much more limited scope of practice compared to RNs, but the details will vary by state. Generally LPN work in less acute environments like clinics and long-term care facilities. Most hospitals won't hire LPNs, because they aren't able to perform all of the required functions like an RN can. Again this varies tho. Some hospitals use LPNs to cover some of the tasks so the RNs can take more patients. The LPN forums could probably give you a better idea of what they do and where they work.

I did volunteer in an ER before nursing school, and I thought it did absolutely nothing for me in terms of learning what nurses do. I think you'd be much better off getting a job as a CNA if you're looking for relevant experience. Also, if they like you, they will hire you once you graduate

Cally said "I suggest that you google the CNA requirements for your state."

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