Benefits to being CNA before nursing school?

[kellia]

I really need help! I have a bachelor's degree so I am going to do an accerlated BSN program. I have 4 classes I need to take this summer/fall, then I can apply in December. I would be applying for the summer 2008 program, but would defer until Jan 2009 program because the summer program is at hospitals that are 2 hours from me, as opposed to 1 hour or closer in the winter program.

I have a friend who is a CNA at the hospital I want to work at while she's waiting to eventually get accepted to the Assoc. program at the comm. college here. She says that they are looking for more people and pay $10-11/hr. I currently do home daycare, so that amount for me working full time at the hospital would be slightly less than now after taxes and paying for my 4 yr twins to be in daycare part time. If I want to take the CNA class, I'd have to quit my daycare in Sept. because it is only offered in the day and (assuming they are still hiring) could start at the hosp. in Jan. and work for 1 year until I started the nursing program.

How beneficial do you think working as a CNA for a year would be before starting the nursing program? Do you think telling them I could work for 1 year until nursing school starts would be a plus or minus for me? I hate to miss the final year I'd have with my sons at home (and it would be tight financially) so I really want to know if anyone thinks that it is really worth it.

Sorry this was so long and I greatly appreciate any advice anyone has!

[shleynic]

I have been a CNA for 8 years and I am finishing up my first semester of nursing school. As of yet I have not had any problems r/t the fact that I am a CNA. I have noticed that it is a change to begin to start to think like a nurse. However, I have been very open to learning things the way they are teaching them....which is sometimes different than I have learned things in the past. There are a lot of benefits to this position prior to nursing school. Its a good position to have while in nursing school because most employers are very flexible with your schedule.

[crystalcoastlvr, BSN]

I really need help! I have a bachelor's degree so I am going to do an accerlated BSN program. I have 4 classes I need to take this summer/fall, then I can apply in December. I would be applying for the summer 2008 program, but would defer until Jan 2009 program because the summer program is at hospitals that are 2 hours from me, as opposed to 1 hour or closer in the winter program.

I have a friend who is a CNA at the hospital I want to work at while she's waiting to eventually get accepted to the Assoc. program at the comm. college here. She says that they are looking for more people and pay $10-11/hr. I currently do home daycare, so that amount for me working full time at the hospital would be slightly less than now after taxes and paying for my 4 yr twins to be in daycare part time. If I want to take the CNA class, I'd have to quit my daycare in Sept. because it is only offered in the day and (assuming they are still hiring) could start at the hosp. in Jan. and work for 1 year until I started the nursing program.

How beneficial do you think working as a CNA for a year would be before starting the nursing program? Do you think telling them I could work for 1 year until nursing school starts would be a plus or minus for me? I hate to miss the final year I'd have with my sons at home (and it would be tight financially) so I really want to know if anyone thinks that it is really worth it.

Sorry this was so long and I greatly appreciate any advice anyone has!

Hello Kellia!

Just a little info....my mother has been an aide for as long as I can remember, and I used to say I'd never do that job! Then, I after about 5 years of switching majors and talking to a friend, I though about nursing. Well, I didn't even know if I would like the health field or could handle "gross stuff," so I chose to become an STNA (stated tested nurses aide) first. It was the best decision, aside from nursing school. I loved my job, not always, but I knew then what I wanted to do. I think being a nurses aide gives you an advantage as far as providing basic care and being able to build report with your patient more readily and easily. Someone posted that they thought the "aides" had it more difficult in the program later on and I disagree. If you're a nursing assitant who is a leader, one who doesn't short cut your patients and you're their for them not the paycheck, then you'll do wonderfully. I am in my last quarter of my associates degree program and can't wait to get started. My precepting is going awesome and I wish you the best!

p.s. At my local hospital the aides draw labs, perform glucometers and run EKG's on the patients!

jules