CNA to boost chances for Nursing School??

caliotter3 · Apr 22, 2009

Getting the certificate won't hurt and might give you points when you apply to programs. At least you will get exposure to the medical field, even if you don't start to work. Good luck with getting into a nursing program.

liloadro · Apr 22, 2009

I think taking a job as a CNA would be really beneficial to you. You might not get the "full effect" just taking the course. I know around here anyway, the course is offered to people they will hire, not just someone who wants the certification. I'm not sure if the certification would get you anywhere with nursing schools if you don't use it. I think they are looking for experience not credentials.

NewPath2Follow · Apr 23, 2009

liloadro and caliotter3,

thanks so much for responding!

priscilla1976 · Apr 24, 2009

I understand how you feel! i spent 10 years not knowing what i wanted. i went to college for buisness management and was asst mgr prepping for the mgmt position when i realized...is this what i want to do with the rest of my life? NO! i wanted to make a difference, to feel like i was contributing to society. So I have always been interesed in becoming a nurse. I also wanted to start from the bottom. I was told that most cnas' were able to get through nurseing school easier because alot of things were familiar to them, i have learned alot working in a hospital, so i got my liscence last year and have been working as a cna since then, i got cpr cert, and this summer plan on getting phlebotomy cert. i also want to take the med aide course possibly after that. anything to make it easier when i finally do go to school, i want to be an LVN then RN and i also want to go to school for surgical tech. the nursing fiedl has so many possibilities. it may take me several years but that's whats so exciting, i make a goal and reach it then go on to the next. i dont think that we can ever learn too much.

GOOD LUCK!

mmt4 · Apr 24, 2009

I think the CNA course is great idea.

I am a former nursing student.

I loved my classes, and did really well. I was pre-BSN in college and ended up switching majors and graduating with a health ed degree. Afterwards, I decided to go back for nursing and the only program in the area I then lived in was LPN. I got right in and was the "star student" when it came to academics. Oh how the mighty fell.

We had a basic skills class the first term (which was basically CNA stuff plus a little more) and we got to do mini-clinicals in the local nursing home. I pushed myself through it despite some stress and much anxiety and got into the first week of Med-Surg the next term, then I dropped out. Not because I could not hack it academically, but because the hands-on work gave me a real taste of what nursing was really about, and all of the hands-on work and pressure to perform really got me. Everyone else seemed so much more confident than me (I am sure most were just as scared as me) and I had a hard time even taking a BP, something I had done so many times on classmates, my husband, etc...I did not know that what was going on (anxiety, fear, stress, doubt) was a common experience for nursing students - I might have stuck it out further had I known. Having had experience as a CNA probably would have helped me. The CNAs and phlebotomists in our group were a lot more at ease with the patients. I could hardly open my mouth to introduce myself when I went in to take vitals (our only task that first day).

This course will give you some experience and help you to be more confident when you start clinicals, and it will show you whether nursing is something you wish to continue study with.

I wish you luck! :up:

NewPath2Follow · Apr 27, 2009

priscilla1976 and mmt4:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. I'm thinking the CNA course just might be worth it after all!

Thanks for the well wishes too, I need all the encouragement I can get! :)