CNA before RN?

Basically, everything a CNA can do is in the RN's scope of practice. However, these are duties that can be delegated to allow the RN to focus on tasks and assessments that cannot be delegated. The best way to know what an RN can and cannot do is to familiarize yourself with your state's nurse practice acts. Each state has its own, and some states allow more or less than others.

As for whether being a CNA is taken into consideration, that completely depends on the facility. Obviously, you cannot apply to any jobs stating you have experience, because you will have none as an RN. However, you can gain some insight into the role of a nurse, plus give yourself a record with a facility. Many facilities also list positions as being available to internal applicants for a certain amount of time before becoming public. Some also offer tuition reimbursement. So, the benefits of becoming a CNA can include more opportunity to apply for jobs, establishing an employment history with a health care facility where you can move into a nursing role, and tuition reimbursement instead of using student loans or savings.

You will find that many nursing students are working. Some may even work full time positions while attending school full time. Others may be full time employees and part time students. Still others may be part time employees and full time students. You need to find what works for you. Personally, I worked beyond full time (about 55 hours/week) through all but the last semester of nursing school; I chose to leave my job during the last semester so that I could fully concentrate on school. Granted, I was not negatively impacted by not having those benefits I mentioned earlier because I graduated in a time of "You haven't even graduated yet? Well, here's a job for when you do!"

As Rose Queen stated, everything the CNA does is within the RN's scope of practice. CNAs feed, toilet, dress, bathe, shower, transfer, lift, and clean patients. They also make beds, empty wastebaskets, set up and pass out meal trays, and adhere to precautions for fall risk, aspiration risk, hips, knees, spinal conditions, seizures, and other processes. Essentially, the CNA assists the nurse by performing basic nursing care tasks.

I would not have survived for very long as a CNA because the job is brutally difficult on the body, underpaid, overworked, and disrespected. However, it will furnish you with valuable experience. It might also forge connections that will lead to your first RN job. Good luck to you!

Now I need to figure out when I can get in for a class. Wish I'd thought of this sooner, since I could be taking the course during the semester break, but it is full already.

Be mindful that your local Red Cross may offer free or very low-cost CNA traning programs. In addition, many nursing homes offer free CNA training and certification if you agree to work at the nursing home for six months.