CNA help BSN applications?

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I want to get into Regis but need experience. Would a CNA be very helpful when applying to a nursing school? Also, please tell me it is easy to find CNA jobs in Denver area?

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Specializes in Family Medicine, Plastic Surgery.

I most certainly helps you get into nursing school to have any kind of healthcare experience, especially working as a CNA. I don't think I would call it "easy" to get a CNA job in Colorado, but it depends on what kind of nurse assisting you want to do. If you want to work in a hospital it is going to take more effort and experience. If you want to work for an agency or long term care facility it is easier to get your foot in the door.

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

There are no easy to get jobs in this economy.

You do not need a CNA to get into Regis.

Having a CNA will help you get in anywhere and certainly will help you in nursing.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Anything that shows an interest in taking care of people is helpful for getting into school. Certainly the care experience will help you later. Good luck.

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I've been looking further into CNA jobs and I am finding it discouraging. It seems that it may be pretty difficult to get a CNA job too. This is frustrating trying to find a foothold to get into the health care industry.

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When I first got put on the alternate list for the Regis CHOICE program, I spoke with the counselor about this very thing. She couldn't say, if you get your CNA you'll get in, in fact she didn't suggest I go that route. I already aced my pre-req classes (I think my cum gpa from 10 years ago was my downfall), and asked about getting my CNA and doing some more volunteer work. She felt that the volunteering would fit with their mission, etc and would look good. It's a great way to get into a hospital and it's free! I got accepted the second time around, but unfortunately we had to move out of state. I had applied to volunteer at Littleton and was SO excited about the opportunities there. They have a lot of options for direct patient contact. If you live around there, I would definitely check it out. Now that I have to wait to apply to another school, I am going to get my CNA ahead of nursing school. It is a slightly different market where I am and I know having a CNA won't hurt if I want to get a job while in school (of course, you can do that just being a nursing student as well, but I have time to kill- kinda, I have 3 kids under 4 :) ). Good luck!

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