CNA prior to NS questions

Hi guys, I have been looking for an answer to whether it would be advisable for me to take a CNA course and get certified for that before I start my program (ADN) in Summer 09. I found a forum that mentioned something called a TopCap program. This is where during your program you get certified as a CNA then an LPN then RN. I am thinking since I haven't heard of this my school Valencia Community College probably doesn't workk this way.

So does anyone know whether Valencia in Orlando does that or not? School is out of session and it's Friday night so it would be a couple days before I could get an answer and I thought some of you guys and gals might know the answer, someone usually does here, right?

My other question is IF that isnt in my program do ya'll think it would help at all to get certified but possibly not work. I am not really needing to work and I have a full load but I'd like to at least have an advantage, since I do not have any clinical background. That leads me to wonder, how do so many of us just know without a doubt that Nursing is where we should be? Hmmm I guess I do believe in callings!

Next would it be wise to do one of those weekend or online Cna programs. I found some out of Tampa, that are about 500 bucks....but I want the most education for my money!

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

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Hi guys, I have been looking for an answer to whether it would be advisable for me to take a CNA course and get certified for that before I start my program (ADN) in Summer 09. I found a forum that mentioned something called a TopCap program. This is where during your program you get certified as a CNA then an LPN then RN. I am thinking since I haven't heard of this my school Valencia Community College probably doesn't workk this way.

So does anyone know whether Valencia in Orlando does that or not? School is out of session and it's Friday night so it would be a couple days before I could get an answer and I thought some of you guys and gals might know the answer, someone usually does here, right?

My other question is IF that isnt in my program do ya'll think it would help at all to get certified but possibly not work. I am not really needing to work and I have a full load but I'd like to at least have an advantage, since I do not have any clinical background. That leads me to wonder, how do so many of us just know without a doubt that Nursing is where we should be? Hmmm I guess I do believe in callings!

Next would it be wise to do one of those weekend or online Cna programs. I found some out of Tampa, that are about 500 bucks....but I want the most education for my money!

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Being a CNA would give you an idea of what the routine is like in a health-care setting as far as ADLs go. It's not an accurate representation of what actually being a licensed nurse will be like.

My CNA program was in-house and I was paid by the hour to go to their classes and get fully certified by the State to work in any facility as a CNA. And while most facilities do not actually PAY trainees by the hour anymore to go to CNA classes d/t turnover, most in-house CNA programs are at least free. No point in spending $500 for something you can get for free, right?

Once you are in school, you may want to check and see if the hospitals in your area offer nurse extern/intern programs. These are programs where nursing students can work in the hospital performing nursing tasks under the direct supervision of a staff nurse, at wages similar to those of a CNA. This will give you more experience as to what you can expect once you get that nursing license and start working as a nurse.

[rockytopRN2b]

I don't know if it's like this everywhere, but in Tennessee you can challenge the CNA exam after your finish Nursing Fundamentals. CNA work will definitely give you an edge on learning ADL's. :)

[coltsgrl]

There are a couple of good reasons to get your CNA training before nursing school, especially since you have that much time before starting. If you do it, and work even for a month it will give you so much more confidence to walk into a patients room for the 'first' time. I think just having those basic skills will give you an advantage over not having any idea of how to work with 'real people' in a medical setting. It gets you over the initial fear of bathing someone, or changing briefs (aka-diapers, JIC u didn't know what we call them), or taking BP's. Nursing homes are very easy to get a job, and understanding about school...even if you tell them you don't plan on staying, alot of them will be glad for the help even for a short time.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Being a CNA would give you an idea of what the routine is like in a health-care setting as far as ADLs go. It's not an accurate representation of what actually being a licensed nurse will be like.

My CNA program was in-house and I was paid by the hour to go to their classes and get fully certified by the State to work in any facility as a CNA. And while most facilities do not actually PAY trainees by the hour anymore to go to CNA classes d/t turnover, most in-house CNA programs are at least free. No point in spending $500 for something you can get for free, right?

Once you are in school, you may want to check and see if the hospitals in your area offer nurse extern/intern programs. These are programs where nursing students can work in the hospital performing nursing tasks under the direct supervision of a staff nurse, at wages similar to those of a CNA. This will give you more experience as to what you can expect once you get that nursing license and start working as a nurse.

There are a couple of good reasons to get your CNA training before nursing school, especially since you have that much time before starting. If you do it, and work even for a month it will give you so much more confidence to walk into a patients room for the 'first' time. I think just having those basic skills will give you an advantage over not having any idea of how to work with 'real people' in a medical setting. It gets you over the initial fear of bathing someone, or changing briefs (aka-diapers, JIC u didn't know what we call them), or taking BP's. Nursing homes are very easy to get a job, and understanding about school...even if you tell them you don't plan on staying, alot of them will be glad for the help even for a short time.

I will say the same. I had various positions prior to becoming an LPN such as home health aide, CNA, phlebotomist, Patient Care Associate and Medical Assistant. I had no fear of the fundamental aspects of nursing-bedbaths, injections and finding veins (because of the phlebotomy). Also, I worked as a psych tech, where I was certified to administer medications. However, doing it under those positions and being licensed to do so are very, very different implications and are more stressful, because I would suffer from more than a scolding or a write up in case something went wrong, where before, the nurse was responsible for me.

I have seen many nurses with no medical assistance at all become successful, compassionate and organized nurses as well. I have seen some people become very grossed out from body odors, blood, bedsores, etc... not because they felt they were too good for it, but because they were never exposed to such and I am glad that I was over that phase of adjustment by the time I entered nursing school. I guess that my answer is that if you can gain the exposure, the easier it is, the better advantage you'll have over your classmates. But, if it doesn't happen, it will not mean that you can't still be an effective nurse.

[frankiebaby]

Hi Benya,

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with most of the previous posters.

If you're thinking about getting your CNA cert. and then spending some time working before or during nursing school, then by all means do it. The experience would be great for a nursing student.

But you stated that you don't actually plan on ever working as a CNA, if I read your post correctly. And in that case I think that paying $500 for your CNA cert. wouldn't be worth it as one of your first courses in nursing school will be Fundamentals and you will be taught all of the good 'ol CNA stuff. I know that here in California, after you take Fundamentals in NS you can take the CNA certification exam if you so choose.

What helps CNAs have an edge in nursing school is their experience working with patients and their time spent in the health care stetting. The classroom stuff you'll get in nursing school.

Good luck.