CNA now or wait for nursing school

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Here's my deal. I have applied with UAA for the 2 year program, but I still have one pre-req to finish this fall. I can take a CNA course this summer and try to work part time until I start the nursing program, which will be either next spring or fall 2013. I'm currently a stay at home dad with one kid not yet in school and I watch some cousins in exchange for part of our rent. My wife is a school teacher and the bread winner, so everything revolves around her schedule. I guess my questions are:

1. Are there many part-time evening CNA jobs?

2. Are there any facilities in Anchorage that anyone knows of, other than AVTEC for CNA training?

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I became a CNA while waiting for nursing school last year buy ended up passing on the lpn program in my area due to crazy high tuition and poor pass rate of nclex. That being said I've been a CNA over a year and there's plenty of part time work in my area matter of fact there is such a shortage that many nursing homes here offer free CNA classes. Just call around places to see if CNA's are in demand where you are

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In what area do you life at? I am looking right now for a CNA job while waiting to get into the LPN programm?

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I live in Illinois, so I can't give you advice about the Alaska job situation, but here there are always plenty of night time CNA jobs available! Don't forget, hospitals are an option too- don't just look at LTC facilities.

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If you're serious about nursing, it doesn't hurt to become a CNA. It can do nothing but help you to be more comfortable with patient care and develop your bedside manner. I don't know anything about your part of the country, but I hope that helps.

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I agree with the poster above me. It wouldn't hurt to become a CNA before starting nursing school - you'll learn a lot and perhaps become more comfortable working with patients. I want to get into nursing school but I still have a prerequisite to do and I've been having a hard time finding a decent job, so I've applied to get my CNA certificate this fall. Where I'm from, there are so many casual/part-time CNA (and other related) positions.

Good luck with everything!

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As some others said, even shift is always available. It's normally 3pm-11pm and no one ever wants that shift, lol.

I am a CNA and I want to go to LPN school but not immediately. I am of course in LTC but I'd like to work in a hospice or a hospital. But in the hospitals near me, they require an EMT certification as well.

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I work at hospital and I can honestly say that I'm really not a fan of nurses who weren't CNAs before. I know thats a little brusque but I work with a few of them and its frustrating. I honestly believe there is only upside to being a CNA, not understanding what CNAs do but for future advantages in nursing school.

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

I agree with the above posters - being a CNA before becoming a nurse is pretty much all plus. The evening shift (in my opinion) is slightly less busy, too, so it shouldn't be too stressful. I did not look to see how old you are - know that CNA work is physically demanding, but I think you would learn a lot! I am a 2nd career pre-nursing student and I started working as a CNA in July 2011. I worked in LTC first and it was much more physically difficult. Now I work on a skilled nursing/rehab unit at a hospital and I like it a lot. I am SO much more comfortable with all of the skills now than I was at first. I'm glad I did not have to do all this learning during my first nursing school clinicals. Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

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Thanks to everyone that replied. I'm still trying to figure it out. I would love the experience of a CNA and I'm going to try to make it work. Now the only reason not to is if I'm high enough on the alternate list at UAA to make it in next spring. They still haven't sent out notifications.

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I agree with the above posters - being a CNA before becoming a nurse is pretty much all plus. The evening shift (in my opinion) is slightly less busy, too, so it shouldn't be too stressful. I did not look to see how old you are - know that CNA work is physically demanding, but I think you would learn a lot! I am a 2nd career pre-nursing student and I started working as a CNA in July 2011. I worked in LTC first and it was much more physically difficult. Now I work on a skilled nursing/rehab unit at a hospital and I like it a lot. I am SO much more comfortable with all of the skills now than I was at first. I'm glad I did not have to do all this learning during my first nursing school clinicals. Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

Its funny you mentioned that they teach you to be CNA in the first semester of nursing school. I see a lot of nursing student come to my hospital, who have never been CNAs and they are terrified of touching the patients. Its quite the site to see them giving a patient a bath. LOL! It takes them almost an hour to do one bath. God bless their heart though!

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