Did you have prior expirience in the medical field prior to starting school for your LPN?

[Cluestoos]

Do people who have a CNA, EMT, HHA type job prior to doing an LPN accelerated program have a huge advantage in passing tests due to the prior expirience? Is it worth becoming a CNA before an LPN? I am worried that most the people who I met while taking the nursing entrance exam for this coming fall seem to have a background in some way shape or form in the medical field which makes me already feel far behind. When you went into your LPN program what was your expirience level? How do you feel your expirience impacted how you did in school?

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

Slight difference but not enough to go into debt. I graduated with a class of 15 students. Prior to the LVN program, I was a CNA for 8 years in psychiatric and nursing home. In my class most students had no medical background except for one student. She was a EMT. The whole class failed the cardiac exam except for the EMT Student. She didnt get an "A" but she received a C+ grade. It can make a difference IF you work in the "acute care setting" only as a CNA such as working in ICU, ER, critical care, acute care or working as a EMT. or even working as an unit secretary or medical scribe in one of the acute care departments

I would focus on understanding how to take nursing exams but also know how to critically think in clinical. This is will set you apart.

[cnaMegD, CNA]

I've been a hospice CNA for 8 years, I think being a CNA before LPN school can give you an advantage so you can be familiar with healthcare settings and it helps you to just be more comfortable being around patients. Taking care of their personal needs; it can be somewhat of a shock at first if your not used to it. Most CNA classes are quick (about 8 weeks) and relatively inexpensive. I'd say its worth it.

[Mizami]

I worked as a CNA for 2 years before I started my accelerated LPN program. I wouldn’t say I had a huge advantage when it comes to classroom/lectures but it definitely helped tremendously with clinicals. The classmates who didn’t have experience in the medical field wasn’t as comfortable doing patient care especially the more messy procedures like wound care or bed changes/baths. Additionally, a lot of the nurses at the clinical facilities (I.e. nursing homes) didn’t particularly like having students for various reasons; however, since I understand the job culture and had exposure to the daily routine I was preferred by all the nurses. I could use my CNA knowledge to help aide with any of the tasks. This make the nurses job easier so they wouldn’t be as tired/annoyed to take me along on the more fun treatments! My suggestion is don’t just follow the nurses, follow the RTs and CNAs as well. It’s best to get a feel for everybody’s job so that your a more valuable teammate.

[Mintezia]

Zero experience in health related work. I had to get my CNA before joining my LPN program. I literally started my LPN program within a few weeks of getting my CNA so I never had to work as one. I did the Job Corps program so I was able to live on campus and have everything including housing provided for.

After I finished my LPN program I took my NCLEX about 5 weeks after graduating. It took me around 185 questions to pass. Some of my classmates passed with differing amounts of questions. I passed and got a job about 2-3 weeks later.