CNA vs. NA

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Hi,

Is working as a nurse aide without being certified frowned upon when nursing program applications are reviewed? ?

Thank you for your input!

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I wouldn’t think it would, maybe in legal terms but there are caregivers who do the same thing as a nursing assistant does and all you need is your CPR certification so I don’t see how it would be any different as a non certified nursing assistant, well that’s in my opinion.

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I don't think it would be frowned upon. Even if you aren't certified, you're still gaining experience and putting a foot in the door! Every facility is different, but where I'm from, nurse aids are hired on and do most of the same work as CNAs anyways.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Experience would still be relevant, but you may or may not get the extra "points" on application (some schools want the certificate and care less about experience) However, in some state nursing aid/assistant is a title that is only applicable for a grace period while waiting for testing and certification - be sure you know the requirements in your state.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

I worked as a non-certified nursing assistant for the VA before nursing school and my school counted it towards the preference points they awarded to applicants with previous health care experience.

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Specializes in RN.
On 8/21/2019 at 7:54 AM, gere7404 said:

I worked as a non-certified nursing assistant for the VA before nursing school and my school counted it towards the preference points they awarded to applicants with previous health care experience.

How did you do that? I always thought VA required certification.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

I was grandfathered in -- VA required certification after 2015.

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