can you be certified as a cna/nurse assistant after fundamentals?

Hotbab3 · Feb 6, 2013

Hey guys I forgot to say that I live in Chicago, Il. let me know from your experience. Thanks

KJM-RN, BSN · Feb 6, 2013

Somebody told me that after finishing your fundentals class you can become a nurse assistant. Is this true?, if yes how do you do that? Do you take an extra course or just take the state test? Help please, I really want to work as a Cna during nursing school

I live in New York. For me, after Fundamentals, we are considered equivalent to a CNA. No test required, just apply, and if asked can provide a letter from the school that states you've completed Fundamentals. I went on interviews for CNA positions and they never even asked for the letter. I had to provide the letter when I applied to a summer nurse externship program and it was basically a form letter that they added my name to at my

school's nursing program office.

If you're concerned about the criteria being different in your state, just ask the people in charge of your program. During orientation, before school started, they informed us of being able to work as a nursing assistant after our first semester. Hope that helps.

allnurses Guide · Feb 8, 2013

Hey guys I forgot to say that I live in Chicago, Il. let me know from your experience. Thanks

You won't be a CNA, but you could be considered for a PCT position in a hospital.

PCT=CNA, but PCT requires no certification... but most hospitals really want a CNA with some experience, unless you have completed your first nursing school rotation (in which case they hire you as a PCT).

However, I do not believe this to be true of a nursing home, as I believe you actually have to be certified or getting your cert soon after hire.

Curious to see if I am correct at all on this, but this is how I understand it and what I noticed around by me (which is actually around by you too ).

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2013

If you want to know about CNA certification, this is a great chance for you to get to know your state Board of Nursing. Call them and ask them what the rules are in your state. That's really the only reliable answer.