CNA?

[shesham]

Are any of you currently CNA's? I am 39 and taking my prereq's to get into the RN program, I am not a CNA. I have been a stay at home mom for 17 years. Just wondering if I should try to fit in a CNA course this summer and become certified. I don't think I would really have much time to actually get a job as a CNA because I would be focusing on my classes and keeping my grades at a 4.0 for getting into the RN program. So, I don't know if it would really be worth it to take the CNA course or not.

Any advice?

TIA

[mickey_RN]

There are many nursing homes that will let you work p/t like one or two days per week. I think it would probably be beneficial because that way you can get comfortable with personal care issues before you start your clinicals.

Plus, many programs require CNA cert before you start your clinicals anyway.I just quit a good job to do CNA classes and to work as an aide before I start my clinicals, to get accustoimed to the work and to make sure that this is what i want to do... Good Luck

[CoffeemateCNA]

I can't stress enough have beneficial it is to be a CNA prior to RN school. It really helps you to be more comfortable with your patients, and you have a better handle on how things work. With that said, if you are absolutely sure you will not be able to work as CNA during school, it may not be worth your time to take the class (unless of course it is required for admission). Most of the benefits of being a CNA before school come from actually working on the job and getting experience, not just the stuff you learned in class. Like mickey_student advised, contact some LTC facilities and nursing homes in your area. They sometimes offer shifts as short as 4 hours or even weekends.