CNA First?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 22, 2005

I think it's a good idea. And i think it was beneficial for me to be a CNA before nursing school. I was at the comfortable/confident point that i could physicall care for a pt. with feeding, dressing, bathing, etc., so i didn't have the anxiety of that.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jan 22, 2005

I wasn't a CNA first, and I ended up fine, but I bet it would have helped my confidence out alot. the basics of bathing, changing, turning, lifting, etc would have been great.

jitters · Jan 22, 2005

Our school makes it mandatory and I have already went through the CNA program already. I took it before some of my pre-requ. (A&P1 and chemistry). I felt like it helped having taken the CNA class first. It gives you an overview of what we are covering in A&P I & II. Plus if you need to work while you are attending school it gives you the opportunity to get in and get your feet wet. Besides, it's a pretty easy course.

Our school is considering making it mandatory to have a CNA in order to get into the ADN program. I know a lot of schools do this already....
Any input?
I know I was glad to have at least some bedside experience as a CNA my first day of clinicals!

abundantjoy07, RN · Jan 23, 2005

Being a CNA at our school is also mandatory. I think it was a great thing for me personally. It doesn't mean you'll be a better nurse, but it does give you a great head start for those of us who never worked in the medical/nursing field.

luvbbs · Jan 23, 2005

This is exactly what I have been searching for....Someone please help me, Currently I am overseas and in my last semester of prereqs, I will be returning to the US in May, what I am wondering is how do I go about becoming a CNA? I still have a year on the wait list... Where do I go from here, would love to get some sort of experience in the field before nursing classes start!

Any suggestions?

Stacey :confused:

Blackbird · Jan 23, 2005

Hi, I've decided to ditch my full-time corporate job to undertake training for nursing assistant. Having just been accepted as an undergrad nursing student, I wanted to align my work with my studies and while the pay cut has been huge, I don't regret my decision.

PhoenixGirl · Jan 23, 2005

This is exactly what I have been searching for....Someone please help me, Currently I am overseas and in my last semester of prereqs, I will be returning to the US in May, what I am wondering is how do I go about becoming a CNA? I still have a year on the wait list... Where do I go from here, would love to get some sort of experience in the field before nursing classes start!
Any suggestions?
Stacey

My CC program makes you become a CNA as a prereq, so they offer the class. I begin mine soon. Other than that, I've heard the red cross offers it, and check with hospitals or nursing homes. If they do not offer the course, I'm sure they will tell you where you can go. HTH!

Rebecca

Blackcat99 · Jan 23, 2005

This is exactly what I have been searching for....Someone please help me, Currently I am overseas and in my last semester of prereqs, I will be returning to the US in May, what I am wondering is how do I go about becoming a CNA? I still have a year on the wait list... Where do I go from here, would love to get some sort of experience in the field before nursing classes start!
Any suggestions?
Stacey

When you get back to the US in May call the local nursing homes in your area and see if they are offering CNA classes at their facility. If none our available then contact your local junior colleges and see if they have CNA training. Read the Sunday help wanted ads. I usually find the ads that offer CNA training advertising sometimes in the Sunday help wanted section. Good luck

luvbbs · Jan 24, 2005

Thankyou ladies for replying so fast, I have found a couple of nursing homes in my home town that offer the CNA course free of charge as long as you work for them, ok no problem. Looking forward to returning in May!!

Stacey

shyne · Jan 24, 2005

It's not required at my school, but I got my CNA in high school. I think that it has helped me feel comfortable around pt's, vitals, and some of the basic nursing skills.