Please listen!!!

Students Pre-Nursing

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ComeTogether, LPN

1 Article; 2,178 Posts

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
Not a doctor, no - but still a lot more educated than a CNA! I have spent years trying to please CNA's by being the nurse that mucks in with them, so they wouldn't talk about me - only to be the nurse left finishing my own duties after all the others have gone home. We have our jobs, and you have yours - but they are not the same - and no amount of working as a CNA will help you in becoming a good RN except in the eyes of the CNAs!!

We're not all like that, I promise!! I think having a good working relationship with my nurse is so important.

I can tell when a nurse was a CNA first within minutes of working with him/her based on the way they treat me and the way that they interact with the patients/aren't afraid of getting their hands dirty. That's not to say nurses can't also be great without being CNA's first, because of course they can. I just think being a CNA can and does give you a whole different perspective and can indeed make you a better nurse for it. Not everyone, no but certainly some CNA's go on to be better nurses than they would have been if they'd skipped over it.

Specializes in ICU.

This is what makes me a little upset. It is assumed somehow that if you aren't a CNA first, you are afraid to get your hands dirty or you somehow think you are better than other people. The fact that I have a lot going on right now and want to do well in school should be sufficient. I am paying a lot of money for my education and I want to make it worth it. I am fortunate enough that I do not have to work during school. I don't think being a CNA is going to be a huge advantage for me except maybe in the first semester in nursing school where the CNA's may know a little more than me. I will catch up.

This is what makes me a little upset. It is assumed somehow that if you aren't a CNA first you are afraid to get your hands dirty or you somehow think you are better than other people. The fact that I have a lot going on right now and want to do well in school should be sufficient. I am paying a lot of money for my education and I want to make it worth it. I am fortunate enough that I do not have to work during school. I don't think being a CNA is going to be a huge advantage for me except maybe in the first semester in nursing school where the CNA's may know a little more than me. I will catch up.[/quote']

I'm with you. It's going to cost me $2000 out of pocket plus multiple hours I could be spending focusing on my pre-reqs. Our school doesn't require it, but I'm concerned that the nursing externships will be snatched up quickly once I get to that point, and not being a CNA might put me behind everyone else in that aspect. Can anyone shed some light on this? I work in 2 ERs but in a non-patient care role. However, I do speak with them and their families and end up bringing them food/water/blankets, assisting with procedures, re-vitaling them, etc. I know what the job entails, but because it isn't actually on my resume, I'm afraid it won't count for anything.

Mandy0728

578 Posts

At my school, we don't have to be a CNA first or anything like that. I thought about becoming an STNA a year ago, but decided not to. I don't want to work while doing the nursing program so I didn't see the point in paying that $ for the class. I'm not against anyone who is a CNA or anyone that decided to be one before nursing school. However, I don't believe that nursing students need to have that experience. It's not going to determine who will be a better nurse in the future.

Mandy0728

578 Posts

I am not trying to downplay the role of a CNA at all or say that they don't get exposed to the yucky stuff early. But as far as BP and that stuff I did that in junior high and high school when I was a student athletic trainer. We did the school physicals and I did all of that stuff. I'm not worried about stuff people consider gross. I don't gross out easily. We already learned EKGs and all of that in A&P II. Not in nursing school. We took BPs today and I was showing people how to do it. Maybe being a CNA helps you know whether or not you can handle the basics but for people who already know they can I don't see the point. I need to focus on my studies so I do well in school.[/quote']

Same here...we learned about EKGs in A&P II a few weeks ago and next week in lab we're doing BPs.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You will learn how to interpret rhythm strips and WHAT to do when you are in your senior nursing classes...I learned about EKG in A & P II as well...but NOWHERE what is needed as a nurse.

Some of you are still in your pre or first semester...you have NO idea what's to come....it's MORE... :yes:

Specializes in ICU.

10:28 pm by LadyFree28 You will learn how to interpret rhythm strips and WHAT to do when you are in your senior nursing classes...I learned about EKG in A & P II as well...but NOWHERE what is needed as a nurse.

Some of you are still in your pre or first semester...you have NO idea what's to come....it's MORE... :yes:

I get that we will learn more in nursing school but I don't need to be a CNA to do it. That is my point. You learn about it in nursing school. I think I kinda do have an idea of what is about to come otherwise I wouldn't be doing this.

allnurses Guide

BostonFNP, APRN

2 Articles; 5,581 Posts

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Honest question to think about as you move towards your new career:

Do you think it is appropriate to make recommendations about something you have no experience in?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I get that we will learn more in nursing school but I don't need to be a CNA to do it. That is my point. You learn about it in nursing school. I think I kinda do have an idea of what is about to come otherwise I wouldn't be doing this.

Yet the OP and other posters still have a point that may apply to members that NEED to hear it. :yes:

Too many go into nursing with the romantic airs when it's NOT for the fainthearted; only to run from it 1-5 years down the road.

I've seen this when they were giving out 10-20 grand bonuses; MOST of these bonuses were upfront checks :blink: -this most likely caused future generation of nurses irreparable harm in some places, especially orgs that have the "pick of the litter"...I am SURE that there are organizations that have it at the back of their mind; mix that into that the market we're in...they are not taking the risk-at least for a lonnnngggg time. Some schools have answered to this with the working relationships of area hospitals by requiring students to be a CNA, and I don't blame them; at least the rainbows and glitter will shake off from a percentage of people; and then they can have a choice to go into this business with their eyes OPEN.

I will not be surprised if this is a increasing trend in the next years to come; along with the overall evolution of nursing education reform; which is needed.

My point as if your read my previous post is most people WILL curve in nursing school; if you are there for the pt and are going to be at the bedside for the long haul as my team mate, then it's ALL good; that is what MOST of us care about. :yes:

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