CNA before nursing

[amandaamanda]

Do you think it should be a requirement to have obtained your cna before entering nursing school?

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

CNA class, not certification, is required to be on the waiting list at the technical college in my area. It is required for most of the health programs including Rad Tech & Sonography. I think it is good that it is required, because it is a little pre-test as to how you will handle gross situations as a nurse. I literally had a patient poop in my hand during my CNA clinical. At that point I knew that the gross stuff wouldn't be a problem for me. I do not think that a person should be required to work as a CNA though. I spent my years in my ADN program working in a distribution center. I had bills to pay, and I could not pay my mortgage with CNA pay. I actually I think working with and relating to people in that factory type environment has really helped me in my nursing practice.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

No, I do not think it should be required. You learn what you need in the few weeks anyway. My nursing fundamentals class is 4 weeks. We then hop right into med/surg I for the rest of the semester. I don't need help knowing whether or not I have chosen the right career or how I will handle "smells". I can deal. For some people, maybe it is good to find out, but I honestly don't need to so I don't think it should be required. And getting certified ahead of time does equal working as a CNA. Huge difference.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I do not think that CNA training should be required before enrolling in nursing school.

The thought processes behind the two roles are like apples and oranges, meaning they're both fruitful, but drastically different. The CNA role is strictly task-oriented, whereas licensed nursing care requires a specific mode of operation if one is going to succeed.

Someone gave an example about baths a while back. Bathing and showering are within the scopes of practice of CNAs, LPNs and RNs.

The CNA is bathing with the focus of efficiently completing the task, maintaining the patient's personal hygiene, upholding safety and promoting comfort.

The LPN is bathing with the focus of collecting relevant patient data and synthesizing it into useful information and knowledge (How's the skin turgor? Are any new wounds or skin tears present? Is the patient alert and oriented? Was the patient's gait steady when I walked with him into the shower?).

The RN is bathing with the focus of formulating and/or revising the patient's care based on the nursing process facets of assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation.

In addition, it is not always true that the best nurses once worked as CNAs. My best friend is an example of this, having worked as a CNA before becoming an LPN, then an RN. During her floor nurse days she would sit at the nurses station and sip coffee while repeatedly stating "I don't want to wipe asses," as call lights rang incessantly. She is now a chief nursing officer with a six-figure salary and is pleased she no longer has to work at the bedside.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Ours required it. I had my CNA II (I think it is a NC thing) where I could insert Foleys, removed PIV, suctioning (not deep), established trach care, PEG tube feeds. Most of the skills we had to learn in Nursing school, I had already been doing. Only had to learn PIV insertions.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I don't think it is necessary. I never worked in any type of medical/nursing environment until I graduated nursing and got my license. As a matter of fact, my nursing school would not allow us to work at all during the first semester of nursing classes.

[julz68]

All of the nursing schools in my area do require you to have your CNA before you get accepted. I worked as one for many years before I became an RN & I feel it gave me an advantage over the others in my clinicals during school. I only say this because it seemed that those of us who were CNAs, were a lot less intimidated by patient care and procedures during clinicals.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I don't think it should be required. However, a lot of us did become cna's, and I don't hear anyone here saying they regretted it.

In my unit, getting a job as a CNA is almost a guarantee of a future RN job there when you graduate.

That sounds like a good deal: a student job that can be worked around your school schedule, money and some useful connections.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

TheCommuter - you took the words right out of the mouth of my mentor who advised me not to take the CNA class.

My mentor was also the Director of Nursing at my hospital and used to teach in a nursing school in Chicago. She hired me after graduation. She always had the nurses' backs. The best manager I've ever worked for as a nurse.

And, I've met that last woman you described. The former CNA who got her LVN and then her RN and basically refused to help out our CNA's at all.

If you are a honest, hardworking, team player type of person . . .you always will be.

[tara07733]

One of the prereqs at my school is taking either a CNA or PCT course. I did CNA as it was less hours. We did not, however, have to work as one or even take the certification exam.

[Karou]

It should not be a requirement, but I think it does give you an advantage to have that experience.

I am grateful to have worked as a CNA before becoming a nurse. I was painfully shy, naive, and awkward. I was seventeen and had never seen a naked male in real life before. Being a CNA helped me get over my shyness and learn how to interact with people better. I learned how to be a team player. I got over my insecurities and learned to put patient care before myself.

My whole experience as a CNA largely influenced who I am now.