Anyone a CNA (while working on pre-req's)?

hearts895, RN BSN · Sep 12, 2008

I'm going to take a CNA course while I take the last of my pre-reqs during the Summer quarter of 2009. I looked up CNA class info and the class doesn't sound too hard at all. In fact, I'm really looking forward to doing some hands on nursing procedures! :nurse: I knew someone who worked as a CNA while she completed pre-reqs and she didn't think it was too bad. :)

getyournursingon · Sep 13, 2008

I am a CNA working on a cardiac unit while finishing 1.5 more semesters of pre-requisites. I find it to be quite helpful, and a lot of the nurses are willing to show you a lot of things. I think once accepted into the nursing program, it will help me even more. Good luck to all! :nurse: :specs:

Hope2Be · Sep 13, 2008

I'm a CNA, while in school. dont work in hosp or nursing home, I do home health, cant get my foot in the door at the hospital, they want experience.

samsam22, CNA · Sep 13, 2008

I am a CNA I just got my cert. in may.

I think being a CNA is great to do while you are in nursing school, you do a lot of hands on personal care with patients, learn how to do vitals, and you just become more comfortable working with people.

So far i have only worked home health becuase they didnt require experience, but now a hospital just offered to hire me (yay).

So if you have a hard time getting into a hospital right away getting into a home health agency is really easy, then 6 months after that try for a hospital... being a CNA is great i LOVE IT! and i cant wait to go on in nursing...

GOOD LUCK!!

nrsin4 · Sep 13, 2008

Thanks for the replies! I'm anxious to see how hard it will be to get a hospital job here. The woman in admittions at the college gave me the impression that the hospital hires graduates. Maybe since the school is part of the hospital they can assess a person's CNA abilities better? I don't know...I'll have to see how it turns out when I get to that point. I'm willing to work home health if I need to, so it will be OK. :nurse:

kirchnerfamily · Sep 13, 2008

I hear it is pretty hard to get a job in a hospital as a CNA right out of school especially doing OB like what I want to do. Oh well. We HAVE to have three months of full time expirence as a CNA during school BEFORE applying to the nursing program here so what you are asking is a must. Most do nursing homes or home health care. I'm going to *try* for a hospital job but it's probably going to be doing something I'm not so excited about!

sunray12 · Sep 13, 2008

In my state with a cna you can apply for a hospital job as a pca. Taking the cna to help pay your way through school is a good idea. But if this is your plan you have to think in advance. The cna program offered by my local community college is demanding if you have other responsibilities - two nights/week plus 8 hr lab/clinical on saturdays for three months. I'm taking nursing prereqs and also work a FT job and have a family so I can either not take prereqs for a semester so I can get my cna or keep up with my schedule of prereqs so I can apply to nursing programs by the end of next year. Once in nursing school you are eligible to work cna type jobs.

nrsin4 · Sep 13, 2008

I'm a stay-at-home mom and I'm taking my pre-req's slowly right now...just one or two night classes a quarter at the community college. I'm taking a break from the comm. college right now while I get my CNA.

I'm getting my CNA from a nursing college. They have programs up to Masters in Nursing, respitory therapy, ultrasound, etc. there. Their CNA course is more intensive and covers more that the comm. college's CNA course does (in my area, anyway). The college is part of a hospital system here and the clinicals are done at the hospital. At the comm. college the clinicals are in a nursing home.

The CNA program is Monday through Thursday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sept. 15th through Oct. 8th. Clinicals are Oct. 6, 7 & 8th and I believe it is 12 hours each day (7 - 7). I take the state exam on Oct. 9th.

My husband has 58 working days of paid leave built up, so he is taking vacation the entire time that I'm in the CNA course. Believe me, I know I am so blessed for that!!!:)

I still have 2 more years before I can start the nursing program anyway. Five of my six kids are in school, so I have to wait for my youngest (who is 3 1/2) to start all-day kindergarten before I can go to school full time. There is no way that I could tackle full time school when I still have a child at home during the day.

CNAcollegestudent · Sep 14, 2008

I work in a hospital as a CNA and am currently taking general education classes full time at my local community college. I work three twleve hour shifts and go to school two days a week 14credit hours. I am really busy but i figure i may as well get used to it bc nursing school will be just as time consuming! CNA is a great learning experience!

AZMOMO2 · Sep 18, 2008

Our CC had clinicals at the hospital and the nursing home. It was a very well rounded program and we even got to rotate through 4 different departments within our 4 days at the hospital. And the Nursing home had us 2 days on the rehabish side and 2 days on the LTC side.

I worked an office job during pre-reqs but am starting Home Health and Nursing home now that I am getting close to NS. Apps go in next month.

jamaicannurse2b · Sep 18, 2008

I am currently a CNA in a hospital in the pediatric emergency room. I am also a pre nursing student who is taking my last pre req which is microbiology. I am nervous as ever waiting to get my letter to see if i will be starting clinicals in the spring of 09. Do not feel alone i am sure that there are alot more of us out there.