CNA to be an RN?

lilykiss6 · May 30, 2010

i think it is a great idea, i have a bachelors degree in computer sci, and then switched to nursing, i became a cna, took my pre-reqs for rn and just got into nursing school for this fall 2010.

i think it will make you more comfortable working it the field.

Bidisha · May 30, 2010

@lilykiss6: Thank you very much for your insight!

I am kind of debating whether to spend about $1200 for a CNA certification or not? It's good to know that despite having a prior degree in computer science, you took this route of starting ahead, and getting some experience in the field before being an RN.

If you don't mind, which school are you going for your degree? Is it an accelerated bachelor's degree?

I live in CA, so kind of looking into the accelerated programs here, however, don't find much options here. I am still taking my pre-reqs, and hoping to get into a program in fall 2011.

Music in My Heart · May 30, 2010

Opinions vary but mine is that there's no benefit in doing the CNA route. You learn very little in the training. Keep your day job, get your RN as quickly as possible, and get working. You'll never miss not having been a CNA.

As I said, however, some will disagree with me vehemently.

FWIW: I have a degree in engineering and a degree in chemistry... and I took the CNA class before starting nursing school.

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · May 30, 2010

Our comm college requires a CNA cert before applying to the nursing program. Our local hospital group has CNA classes every 7 or 8 weeks and charges close to $1000 for a CNA 1 and another several hundred for a CNA 2. You will likely need the higher training to work at a hospital. Nursing home will generally offer free or low cost training. Where you work can either cause you to fall in love or despise the medical field. Our little city has a great nursing home and most of the employees had good attitudes but you will find many nursing homes where your fellow CNAs are out to get you. Hospital CNAs don't do quite as much personal care for the patients. The objective of the hospital is to get people well enough to take care of their own needs. The CNAs are required to know a few more technical skills. I don't know that being a CNA will teach you a lot about being an RN but it gives you a really good idea of what the work atmosphere is like. I trained at a hospital and really enjoyed the pace of work. I worked with some fantastic RNs and a couple of really not-so-good RNs. I want to be one of the good ones.

lilykiss6 · May 31, 2010

@Bidisha

i applied to do my BSN but got into an ADN program at city college San Francisco, (heard it is a great program and cheap too) so i will be starting fall 2010, which i am excited about.

my advice is try to get a high GPA, makes it easier for you to get in, but then again there are lots of people applying n hopefully you'll get lucky.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 31, 2010

CNA is a requirement at our school. I hated CNA classes and found it to be little value in nursing school. I do feel though that I have a greater respect for the CNA's at work because I know how ****** the job really can be at times.

Bidisha · Jun 1, 2010

Thank you all for your valuable insight..really appreciate it!!

@lilykiss6: Just being curious, why did you choose an ADN program over a BSN?

@inmylove: I appreciate your honest feedback, and this was one of the reasons why I am being sooo apprehensive to go for CNA before being an RN. However, for now, it seems like it's a good option since hospitals are hiring ppl who have more experience in direct patient care, and CNA seems to be the best route to get that experience...just hoping for the best!!

Music in My Heart · Jun 1, 2010

since hospitals are hiring ppl who have more experience in direct patient care

Not so far as I can tell. Two of the three people with acute-care job offers upon graduation from our program had no such experience... the one who did was hired at the place where she was already a CNA. At this point most of my class has been hired and, except for that one student, nobody had prior patient-care experience.

Benedina · Jun 1, 2010

♪♫ in my ♥ wrote:

"Opinions vary but mine is that there's no benefit in doing the CNA route."

One of the reasons opinions vary is that situations vary. Some of what I want to accomplish as a nurse I can accomplish right now as a CNA on my hospital's medical unit. Those goals relate to certain skills I want to use, and certain problems I want to address.

For goals that are less personal and more pragmatic, I'll note that most new nurses hired by my hospital in the last five months came in two basic flavors: nurses with extensive experience or new nurses who had been previously working as CNAs at the hospital. I'd like to work there as a new nurse. Being a CNA with an exemplary work record can help me, though it won't--and shouldn't--guarantee me a job as a new grad.

Dina

Bidisha · Jun 1, 2010

@inmylove: It's always good to know the views of somebody who is looking at the scenario from a different perspective or experience. Would you mind to share which school you graduated from and where are you currently working at?

@Dina: Thanks for you input as well! You are right...being a CNA certainly does not guarantee a job as a new RN, but there might be times, where the experience of being a CNA might actually count towards our journey to be an RN:)

lilykiss6 · Jun 1, 2010

i would have gone with BSN if i was accepted to the schools i applied to, i got accepted to the ADN program on the first try, and no point staying on a waitlist just to get into the BSN program, when i got into the ADN program that is almost free.