CNA before RN/BSN

[aahgaby1]

Hi everyone! I am new to this website but have constantly looked through it in order to help keep my sanity knowing others are going through the same things

I am 21 and just changed my major from journalism to nursing a year ago (i know, super late) and have been having difficulty trying to start up again.

There is an awesome tech school in my city where I plan to do my CNA in the fall since it is a short program, while I attend nursing school.

The question is - did anyone do their CNA beforehand to gain experience? Was it worth it? Did it change your experience at all? Make it easier, harder? I just want to hear different experiences and opinions.

I appreciate your help!!

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

Just do the exam after you complete your first or second semester of nursing school. Waste of money to go to school for CNA unless you were trained as one before nursing school.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

It's not really that late.

I would look into your state requirements and local job postings. My state does not require people to be certified to act in that position so hospitals and nursing homes hire first year students all the time. My state also allows a student who had one nursing class to sit for the nursing assistant test so either a LPN or a RN student can take it.

However, some programs require the CNA class or certification before starting clinicals due to the lack of time to teach those skills. My school moved to that model the semester after I had started so I was one of the handful who had never done a bed bath before however I did an amazing job when it came to do doing IVs (five in the first day we were allowed to do them because I floated to the ER under special circumstances).

For me, going the EMT route and then paramedic route has opened up so many doors. The EMT was only one semester long and there are shorter classes. Then volunteering on a fire department that provides primary 911 and then working on a private ambulance company allowed me to transition into the ER after my first clinical semester of nursing and during the final month of my paramedic program (I don't recommend doing 2 at once, I was moved up on the waiting list after being told I would not be moved). Then I went from being a PCT to a paramedic in another ER.

A lot of the ERs here prefer EMTs or paramedics over CNAs and nursing students but that is not always the case. A manager told me she had HR eliminate all CNAs and nursing students from the pile and only looked at EMTs, paramedics, medical assistants, and LPNs for the patient care tech roles. Many ERs are moving towards paramedics because they can start IVs and push ACLS drugs during a code.

[RunBabyRN]

Believe me, not that late at 21. :)

CNA can be very helpful, particularly if you aren't absolutely certain nursing is the right path for you. You can build connections that *may* (no guarantees, of course) help when it comes time for looking for that RN job. Nailing those basic skills can help you to focus on the harder stuff once you're in your program.

Friendly heads up, you may want to change your pic- AN strongly values anonymity, and you never know who might recognize you! :)

[aahgaby1]

Thank you so much! Your comment was very helpful :) Congratulations on your accomplishment!