Becoming an CNA before nursing school

[FutureCRNA1999]

Hi everyone,

I currently have two more classes of pre-reqs before I can apply to nursing school, which I’m taking this fall. However, the schools that I am applying to only admit for the fall term, which will leave me out of school until the fall of 2021. During that time, I was thinking of getting my CNA license and working until I start nursing school. Is this a good idea? I would love to get a feel for the clinical setting before I start the program and so I don’t sit around for a little less than a year doing nothing. For those of you who worked as a CNA before nursing school, I would love to hear your experiences!! ?

[Jazzy409]

Following this ! I've applied to nursing schools and I have to take the CNA exam (which was on hold because of COVID). Thinking of working as a CNA before school or doing it full-time if I don't get into a program this Fall.

[GoingtobeRN]

I would do it. I have been working as a personal care attendant (CNA without the certification) for about 6-7 weeks, I just started my CNA class yesterday, and I will be starting pre-req courses in the fall. It was the best decision I could have made for myself. You will gain transferable skills that you will use once you are in nursing program, it may also give you an advantage on your program application. Plus, you can work at a hospital as a CNA, that could be beneficial for clinical's that you will have during your nursing program.

[Guest1130203, CNA]

Definitely try it. I’ve worked in a nursing home and now at a hospital. The best things I’ve learned are how to communicate effectively with patients and how to manage my time.

I think the experience can provide a more realistic view of healthcare as well.

[HappyRN]

I'm a New Grad RN 4 months into the job and one thing is clear. I wish I'd been a CNA in a hospital 1st!! I did an ABSN program for those who already had a BA/BS in another field, so my clinical program flew by. I have a deep science/medical background but I've already had many instances where experience as a CNA would have allowed me to make better (critical thinking) decisions and have better patient outcomes. I highly recommend you consider it. If nothing else it will help you optimize supervision of your CNAs whose performance is critical to patient safety. I'm living this first-hand: CNAs make a huge difference.

[Jvr92]

Hello,

I was in a similar situation like you. I was going to be finishing my pre reqs. with about a year left in between till my local community colleges started their next cohort. I decided to do my CNA program on my last semester of pre reqs (had only 2 classes left, no sciences which made it easy to do both.) I worked as a CNA for about a year until I got accepted into an RN program for this fall! I was able to get valuable experience and also get 5 extra points on my application! I would definitely recommend you also going down this route. A lot of the skills you learn as a CNA you will keep using throughout your nursing career. You'll learn how to feel comfortable around patients and how to care for them which will help so much during clinicals.

Best of luck!

[BostonRN, BSN, RN]

Just so you know, once you get into the clinical part of nursing school, there are some places that will let you work as a CNA without the certificate. At least that’s how it works in the northeast. I would look at job websites under “student nurse” if your interested.