CNA while working on RN. Good idea???

northernguy · Aug 9, 2011

Where I live colleges REQUIRE students be CNAs before they can begin nursing school, so somebody thinks its a good idea. Most of my CNA class were going on to Nursing school, and most of them took part time jobs as aides, mostly in hospitals.

We did our clinicals in a LTC facility and most of the Nursing students decided working LTC as an aide was just too much to deal with while going to school.

Im working as an Aide and going to school, not for RN though.

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · Aug 9, 2011

I'm also starting my CNA class in 2 weeks. My plan is to finish in December (I'm only going on Wednesdays so I can continue working until I finish--my current job pays double what a CNA makes) and then find a CNA position. I'm currently waitlisted for NS for spring 2012 so *fingers crossed* if I don't get in for the spring, I'm really hoping I'll be accepted for summer 2012. I plan on working as a CNA while in NS. I have all of my non-nursing classes done (SOC, ENG, PSY, etc) so once I start school I'll only have NUR classes and clinicals. Hoping that gives me a bit more time to work. Good luck!

Switherspoon · Aug 13, 2011

I'm also starting my CNA class in 2 weeks. My plan is to finish in December (I'm only going on Wednesdays so I can continue working until I finish--my current job pays double what a CNA makes) and then find a CNA position. I'm currently waitlisted for NS for spring 2012 so *fingers crossed* if I don't get in for the spring, I'm really hoping I'll be accepted for summer 2012. I plan on working as a CNA while in NS. I have all of my non-nursing classes done (SOC, ENG, PSY, etc) so once I start school I'll only have NUR classes and clinicals. Hoping that gives me a bit more time to work. Good luck!

Hi everybody! I am in a very similar situation. I turned in my application to nursing school in the end of June and in a waiting pattern until October 1st when they will send out letters of acceptance or rejection. I am really hopeful that I will be starting in January. I too only have my nursing classes and clinicals left to do and am hoping that this will lighten my load some. I currently work as an aide in an assisted living facility and just got hired as a CNA at my local hospital but on a PRN basis. I plan on continuing this throughout school but am hoping to get enough hours PRN wise to be able to only do 2 nights at the assisted living instead of the 3 I am working now. If it gets to be too much I will probably keep the PRN slot in the hospital I feel that experience will be more valuable in the long run. Besides I have been at the assisted living for a year and it's not really a challenge anymore. Good luck on getting in I will keep my fingers crossed for you!:)

EduardoLugo · Aug 13, 2011

That's a good idea! CNA courses wasn't that bad.. pretty easy to be honest! Yes, I think it's easy, but I failed the clinical skills twice for the CNA state exam. I have one more chance to take it.. I get confused with the pretending. We have to pretend here.. not everything, but I get confused. Good luck on your RN! I am going for it in the Fall 2012 if everything goes well. I need to take A&P 1-2. :)

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · Aug 13, 2011

Hi everybody! I am in a very similar situation. I turned in my application to nursing school in the end of June and in a waiting pattern until October 1st when they will send out letters of acceptance or rejection. I am really hopeful that I will be starting in January. I too only have my nursing classes and clinicals left to do and am hoping that this will lighten my load some. I currently work as an aide in an assisted living facility and just got hired as a CNA at my local hospital but on a PRN basis. I plan on continuing this throughout school but am hoping to get enough hours PRN wise to be able to only do 2 nights at the assisted living instead of the 3 I am working now. If it gets to be too much I will probably keep the PRN slot in the hospital I feel that experience will be more valuable in the long run. Besides I have been at the assisted living for a year and it's not really a challenge anymore. Good luck on getting in I will keep my fingers crossed for you!:)

I asked the admissions rep if she could tell me where I am on the wait list and she said they don't like to give that information out but she did say that they are offering spots to several alternates in the next few weeks and that my application was "highly competitive". I took that as a good sign! Good luck to the BOTH of us!