CNA Required?

jitters · Aug 9, 2005

They require it at my school too. I like it because it helps you prepare for your clinicals. Also, since I have to make money while attending school it gave me a chance to get a job as a PCA at my local hospital. The nurses where I work are great and since they know I'm going to nursing school they are willing to show me a lot of things that I will be doing while in school.

I think you are right when you say, it will make you appreciate your CNA's once you become a nurse. At my hospital you can tell the nurses who have worked as a CNA before becoming a Nurse.

Was just sitting wondering who else is required to have a valid CNA license to be accepted to their school's ADN program. I've looked into 3 schools here and 2 of them require it and one doesn't. I think that this is a good idea because it not only gives you a good intro to the nursing profession, but I think it will also help you to appreciate what CNAs go through once you become an RN.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 9, 2005

Not required at my school, but it is a great thing to have IMO. Good luck to you.

Achoo!, LPN · Aug 9, 2005

We don't have to be certified, but we are required to go through the CNA course first.

Momto3andNurse2B · Aug 9, 2005

We do not have to have CNA certification, but most of the Health Science programs require something the college calls the "Health Science Core". It's a 75 clock-hour class that covers some general concepts, such as handwashing, masking/gloving/gowning, vitals, moving/transferring patients. It included ridiculous amounts of "busywork" as homework, and I hated it for that, but the skills I learned were very valuable.

TrickieTam · Aug 9, 2005

Its not required at my school, but I wish it was required here. Most of the nurses that I have worked with have just went directly into nursing with no previous background as a CNA, Aide, or any healthcare background. To me those make the worst nurses. But that's just my experience. I appreciate my background cause it makes nursing easier and I will greatly appreciate my CNAs and not take em for granted. I can relate to the work CNAs do.

prissy pixie · Aug 10, 2005

We are required to be CNA or PCT certified to be accepted into the ASN program. At first I was a bit miffed about it because 1) I wanted to finish as fast as I could (mother of 3) and 2) They sprang this info on me and I will now have to take an extra semester to accomodate for it.

However, the more I look into it and prepare for it the more excited I am about it. I will be taking the Patient Care Tech course next semester and I believe this will give me valuable experience. I have also found out that I can work part time at my local hospital, after finishing this one semester course, and the hospital will then help pay 50% of my tuition while working towards my ASN. Which I assume will give me a leg up when my application is reviewed for the nursing program.

This is how they describe a Patient Care Technician:

Duties:

PCT's are under the supervision of the Licensed Nursing Personnel (Registered Nurses/LPN's) and must have good interpersonal skills, good communication skills & excellent team working abilities. PCT's perform the following skills (not all-inclusive) for 10 to 12 patients per shift: Assisted Daily Living Activities - Bed Bath, Shower, Oral Hygiene, Bed Making, Lifting and Transfers, Vital Signs, Pulse Oximetry, Inputs & Outputs, Blood Glucose Monitoring, Applying and Discontinuing Telemetry Monitors, Dopplers and 12 Lead EKG, Applying Restraints, Assist Patients with Incentive Spirometer, Skin Care, Ostomy Pouch Care, Urinary Catheterization, Irrigation and Removal, Sterile Field Preparation & Sterile Dressing Changes, Discontinue IV and IID (Hep Locks), Remove Sutures, Staples and/or Drains, Oral Suctioning, Trach Care and Incentive Spirometry (Teaching), Sterile Specimen Collection (Blood, Urine, Sputum, Wound).

SoulShine75 · Aug 10, 2005

Was just sitting wondering who else is required to have a valid CNA license to be accepted to their school's ADN program. I've looked into 3 schools here and 2 of them require it and one doesn't. I think that this is a good idea because it not only gives you a good intro to the nursing profession, but I think it will also help you to appreciate what CNAs go through once you become an RN.

my school requires it, as a matter of fact I'm taking it this fall. I was once a nurse asst. at a ltc facility and I totally appriciate the work they do. It's one of the most grueling and taxing jobs I've ever had and I won't ever forget it!