What is the importance of becoming a CNA if you're applying for nursing school?

naenae1979 · Jan 8, 2010

*just my opinion* I have been a cna for a while now, and I would think they just want you to have the experience. i wouldnt think its "something to fall back on" only b/c the salary is significantly different. I have never heard of some places wanting u to have this before u apply, but I am from MS and they do give u extra points if u are already a cna. HOPE THIS HELPS AT ALL!

Remilekun · Jan 8, 2010

Well, once you become a nurse I think your CNA license expires within a short time anyway so it definately not something to fall back on. As CNA you're assisting nurses especially if you work in hospital. It gives you an idea if you really want to be nurse. Imo I respect nurses that were CNA because they value the help CNAs provide as opposed to the ones who treat you like **** and feel like their is more important than any other patient you have.

caliotter3 · Jan 8, 2010

Some schools require the CNA certificate as part of the application process. Some schools will give points in their selection process. Other schools will look favorably on someone talking about their paid CNA experience in their personal statement, particularly if they were/are working in acute care. It shows that you have serious interest in the nursing field.

danielaldis · Jan 8, 2010

I can only speak from my limited experience at my school, Santa Fe Community College...

We are erquired to complete a CNA certification class as a pre-requisite to applying to the ADN program here. To date, we are not required to sit for the state licensure exam after completing the course, however, I understand that there is some talk as to making state licensure a requirement in addition to satisfactory completion of the course.

I was told that the reason behind this requirement is that it gives students an opportunity to experience nursing in a practical emvironment. To complete our CNA class, we were required to complete practicals at a ltc facility. In addition to the opportunity to check out nursing on the student's part, I think it gives the nursing department an idea as to a student's motivation/ability etc.

I enjoyed the CNA class and loved my instructor. She taught us a lot of important on the ground practical things in addition to the curriculum that I think will help me in the program. The first part of the nursing program includes nbursing fundamentals. After having completed a CNA course, I feel confident about much of the basic bed-side aspects of nursing- bed baths, transferring, catheter cleaning, patient feeding, dressing etc. etc.

The grade we get in the CNA class is a factor in admissions.

Hope this helps!

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2010

It is for the experience.

Luckily, my school has no such requirement. After we complete our first clinical, we all are eligible to become CNA's anyway. I like our policy

Ted D · Jan 8, 2010

What all is required to be CNA certified? How many hours/months does that take?

caliotter3 · Jan 8, 2010

What all is required to be CNA certified? How many hours/months does that take?

This varies with the different provider courses. The course I took was from the local adult school and lasted 12 weeks with classroom work twice a week for, I believe I remember, two hours each class and clinical twice a week for six hours each clinical, or something near this in hours. If one added one more week one could also obtain the home health aide certificate. Different states might have different requirements for classroom/clinical hours. If you take the course at a community college and it provides college credit (not all do), you can expect the class to fit in with the semester schedule.

hearts895, RN BSN · Jan 12, 2010

I know there are a few schools which want you to be CNA certified at the time of applying, but other than that? Is it just something to have as a back-up or to see if you like the field of nursing? I don't understand...

Shows several things to the school:

1. Your not just book smart, your "street smart" so to speak. You know your way around when it comes to the real life clinical situation, you have basic nursing skills (can take BP, know CPR, deal with personal patient care etc.).

2. You can juggle more than one thing at once - your not just a super duper high GPA pre-nursing student, your a super duper high GPA nursing student who also works as a CNA.

3. Shows you actually interested in the field & you actually know what your getting into. I've met pre-nursing students who say things like "eww, if I had to clean a bed pan, I'd quit" Uh, yeah, thats not gonna work as a nurse. Being a CNA means you do those unpleasant tasks, and yet you still want to be a nurse, so you must be someone who is in reality and is a dedicated person.

4. You know the field, your interested in it, and you went above and beyond to make yourself a good candidate for nursing school - and lets face it (cynical voice lol) nursing schools are all about the "are you willing to leap through fire to get in ?"