CNA to RN...

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Specializes in Home health, psych, sitter.

Is it a good idea to become a CNA first, then an RN? What do you think? Has anyone done this?:rolleyes:

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Is it a good idea to become a CNA first, then an RN? What do you think? Has anyone done this?:rolleyes:

Hello, well I'm not an RN yet, I have my LPN and I was a CNA first. I loved it. It is a good idea if you want to get your feet wet but it's not necessary. You will gain experience handeling patients, and it will give to the opportunity to observe nurses. I do recommend it. GOOD LUCK with whatever you decide.

~Crystal

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

It is actually a requirement for my school. You have to have your CNA before you can start the core nursing classes. It saves them 8 weeks of going over the basics.

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It's also a requirement at my school. I took the CNA class my first term so that I can work pt as a CNA to get the tuition reimbursement that many places offer and to get experience in the field.

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It wasn't a requirement at my school - I was encouraged not to get it actually.

I think it is fine to do it if you want but at my school you learn all the CNA stuff the first few weeks anyway.

There are many good threads here on this subject - actually a few recently . .. if you do a search I'm sure you'll come up with lots of great advice.

Good luck.

steph

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Specializes in Home health, psych, sitter.

I am going to school here in Nevada. It's not required, but recommended. It increases your chances for nursing school and you get great experience. Thanks for all your help! :p

Hello, well I'm not an RN yet, I have my LPN and I was a CNA first. I loved it. It is a good idea if you want to get your feet wet but it's not necessary. You will gain experience handeling patients, and it will give to the opportunity to observe nurses. I do recommend it. GOOD LUCK with whatever you decide.

~Crystal

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[i worked my butt off to be an RN from an LPN!! And its the best thing that I ever did!!

I would recommend it to anyone!!

GOOD LUCK

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Not required here, but I am going through CNA classes currently so I can work pt as a CNA throughout nursing school

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I also am not an RN yet but I am a CNA, and I think it is good for you to take these classes first, because not only does it help you out with certain things in the future but when you become an RN it will help you to realize what type of work the CNA's actually do and you will have more respect for them. I have seen RN's who never were a CNA, and didnt understand just how hard of work it is therefore they weren't very nice, if you get my drift, so I think its good to be a CNA first... just my opinion...

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Specializes in LTC.

I went for my CNA/HHA while working on prereqs and am working as a HHA. I absolutely love it. Because when I start getting frustrated with school, I can look at my HHA job that I love, and know that being a nurse is something I definately want to do.

I also think that working as a CNA really opens your eyes about what nurses do.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I got my LNA license after completing the first semester of nursing school. Many of my fellow students were already LNA's, but most were not. I was fine in clinical without having it, but a few of my clinical classmates certainly could have used some experience beforehand. They didn't even want to walk into a pt's room, let alone take care of them! Two ended up dropping out during second semester, unfortunately.

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I also am not an RN yet but I am a CNA, and I think it is good for you to take these classes first, because not only does it help you out with certain things in the future but when you become an RN it will help you to realize what type of work the CNA's actually do and you will have more respect for them. I have seen RN's who never were a CNA, and didnt understand just how hard of work it is therefore they weren't very nice, if you get my drift, so I think its good to be a CNA first... just my opinion...

I was never a CNA but I kiss the ground my CNA's walk on. And I help them - we are a team.

I think you are either a team player or you are not - whether you are a CNA or not.

steph

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