I am getting my CNA this semester while I finish my pre-reqs for the LPN program. Did you find your CNA experience was very helpful in getting your LPN? Also, in my state, we have a CNA II that can do the things listed below. Do you think it would be helpful for me to get my CNA II as well?
Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks everyone!!
CNA II can do the following in NC:
OXYGEN THERAPY
Room Set-up
Monitoring flow-rate
SUCTIONING
Oropharyngeal
Nasopharyngeal
BREAK-UP AND REMOVAL OF FECAL IMPACTION
TRACHEOSTOMY CARE
STERILE DRESSING CHANGE (Wound over 48 hours old)
WOUND IRRIGATION
I.V. FLUID - ASSISTIVE ACTIVITIES
Assemble/flush tubing during set-up
Monitoring flow-rate
Site care/dressing change
Discontinuing peripheral intravenous infusions
ELIMINATION PROCEDURES
Ostomy Care
Irrigation
NUTRTION ACTIVITIES
Oral/nasogastric infusions (after placement verification by licensed nurse)
On of the Hospital here in Va does same thing but call them nurse tech and perfer nursing students and expereinces CNA. Give all training you ever need to do the job. It put ahead of follow student you the job on the regular basis. Everyone have a nice day.
Yes I was a stna first for 9 yrs before I went to nursing school. It helps somewhat other times it dont. Helps you understand what stnas go through. But then on the other hand it makes things worse sometimes with you want to follow instead of take the lead. Around my area the girls say now if you want to go to nursing school you must be a stna first ... Sure that helps the drop out rate. If you can go for the cna 2 - means more experience -- all the better -- good luck----:)
I too worked as a CNA before i became a nurse ........... I found it very helpful, you will be so far ahead of those that don't have that experience GO FOR IT !!! I agree with all the post that say you will have more respect for and work better with your co-workers GOOD LUCK !!!!!!
I worked as a CNA for3 years before becoming a nurse. This gave me a great understanding of all the work a CNA does. I don't have to call someone to take my pt to the bathroom of transfer them, I do it myself and my aides remember this and work harder for me than other nurses. All CNA's will tell you that you can tell a nurse that never worked as a aide a mile away. Becoming a aide first will make you a stronger nurse in the end.
I am getting my CNA this semester while I finish my pre-reqs for the LPN program. Did you find your CNA experience was very helpful in getting your LPN? Also, in my state, we have a CNA II that can do the things listed below. Do you think it would be helpful for me to get my CNA II as well?
Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks everyone!!
CNA II can do the following in NC:
OXYGEN THERAPY
Room Set-up
Monitoring flow-rate
SUCTIONING
Oropharyngeal
Nasopharyngeal
BREAK-UP AND REMOVAL OF FECAL IMPACTION
TRACHEOSTOMY CARE
STERILE DRESSING CHANGE (Wound over 48 hours old)
WOUND IRRIGATION
I.V. FLUID - ASSISTIVE ACTIVITIES
Assemble/flush tubing during set-up
Monitoring flow-rate
Site care/dressing change
Discontinuing peripheral intravenous infusions
ELIMINATION PROCEDURES
Ostomy Care
Irrigation
NUTRTION ACTIVITIES
Oral/nasogastric infusions (after placement verification by licensed nurse)
Gastrostomy feedings
Clamping tubes
Removing oral/nasogastric feeding tubes
URINARY CATHETERS
Catheterizations
irrigation of tubing
I worked my way up that nursing ladder just the same, CNA-LVN,,,,,,,while I was in our 2nd semester of Voc School, I applied for a job as a medication aide--in the state of TX if you are in a nursing program passing meds, you are able to pass meds on a floor as a medication aide. you can even work as a medicaiton aide while you are a GVN.
Good luck to you!! I think that having those above skills under your belt, will DEFINETELY help you out during clinicals!!
I've been a CNA for over 15 years and am supposed to finally, (finally) start my clinicals in the fall of 2005. While working on my pre-reqs it turned out that I ended up completing an A.S. in Biology and will complete my BA in Sociology with minors in Psychology and Spanish. Yeah, I took the long route.
My main comment is that yest, I do believe that working as a CNA will be helpful. As a CNA I can tell which nurses that I've worked with were CNAs once themselves, lots of appreciation for them, (they know how hard most assistants work.)
As for your list though, wow, digital isn't something I have done. In the last five years though I have done phlebotomy and catheters and ekgs and when I resigned this last semester my pay was 12.96 hourly, (near Chicago.)
Sigh, we'll see how comparable my LPN pay will be but, it is a forward move and one that I've been dreaming about forever. My program is really for the ADN but after one year we can test for LPN and I do want to try.
[QUOTE=Maggie in NC]I am getting my CNA this semester while I finish my pre-reqs for the LPN program.
Hi. I finished my LPN prereqs during the past Summer Quarter. I am currently taking the CNA course this quarter and will finish December 15. I just received my letter of acceptance into the LPN program for Spring, 2005. I plan to work as a CNA, hopefully starting December or January and throughout LPN School. I am currently in clinicals at a local health and rehab center. (the facility doesn't like to be referred to as a "nursing home")
Everyone that I know in the medical field has told me that the route I plan CNA/LPN/RN is very practical. I am very excited about all phases of the Nursing profession.
Specializes in geriatrics, med surg., devel. disabled.
I was a Nursing Assistant for 7 yrs. before I went to school for LPN. I think it really helped me. I 've been an LPN for 20 yrs. now and I very much appreciate the work that the Nursing Assistants do. I respect them and depend on them to help me do my job. Personally, I think it helped me, because I know what they do and how hard they work. And unless you've been in the other persons' shoes, you can't really know that. Sometimes, I even miss it. When I started as a Nursing Assistant, I made $2.35/hr. But my job was rewarding in itself. And that made all the difference.
i was CNA before getting my license as an LVN. graduated in CNA on 12/03.. started workin on 3/04.. I changed path after 5 mons to medical assistant. 3 mons as a medical assistant... went back to school for the LVN progm... i thought i needed some extra cash, so i went back working as a CNA, which paid really well.... was working and schooling at the same time. i got my LVN license on july 2006... and now im workin as an LVN... i barely started, but im doing really well.. i work at a LTC facility.... pays good, hopefully it will help me pay off my dues....
being a CNA really helped me a lot in becoming an LVN... it gave me confidence and understanding on what nursing is really all about...
I have been a CNA for about 15 yrs and I love it Just like any job it has its days but I think before starting nursing school it will be good experience for anyone to have that CNA experience because it will give you a better understanding and a love for nursing
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I was a CNA, phlebotomist, medical assistant and patient care associate. Got my LPN license in June, and I am now in orientation as an LPN in the hospital that I worked at as a patient care associate. Not a bad move.
I'd say that the only thing you will need to know in LPN school is the medications! I never heard of a CNAII, but it would be worth looking into if it were available. What state are you from?
NurseFife
24 Posts
You are right on the money. You are right on time.
Have a nice day.