Do CNAs make for better nursing students?

Nursejoymariea27, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2011

speaking from experience.... cna's do make for better nursing students bc they have some knowledge of the medical field already vs some of the students that have never been in the medical and have no experience what so ever. i was a cna first, now an lpn and going back for my bsn, so i say go for it!!!!!

Orange Tree · Mar 23, 2011

I've heard the same (negative) comments about CNAs, MAs and even LVNs. From what I saw though, they made great students and were a lot more comfortable in clinicals than the rest of us were.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Mar 23, 2011

I am a clinical nursing instructor. Generally students who are already CNAs and have been practicing as a CNA in a clinical area (whether hospital, nursing home, or home health) tend to make better students - at least in the first year clinicals. They have better organizational skills, often are more familiar with hospital routines and charting, are more confident, and are not mortified when they are required to enter a patient's room, clean up a BM, or give a patient a bed bath. Some programs are now requiring prospective students to already be a CNA as an admission requirement.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2011

I think CNAs absolutely make great nursing students. They don't have to learn medical terminology, they already know the "unwritten rules" of how a hospital works, and they are comfortable with patients. I was a unit secretary before I went to nursing school SPECIFICALLY to get a leg up once I started school. I was able to work evenings and weekends while I was in school and could learn from the nurses that I worked with. They were happy to let me pick their brain, and when the unit slowed down for a bit, they would help me study.

While I was in school, I was able to get my CNA and worked more closely with patients. This experience was INVALUABLE to me. I firmly believe that I would not have been as successful in school had I not done this. It was one of the wisest decisions I have ever made.

navyguyhm3 · Mar 23, 2011

most people with a medical background tend to be better students and it makes nursing school easier. I was a medic in the navy for 10 years and done many things a basic RN has never done or probably seen. My experiences in the navy made getting my LVN a breeze. I already knew all the material and tons more, i just needed to get a license. prior experience is a plus and it makes it easier on the student and the instructors. on the other hand..if people know you're experienced and you mess up, they look at you like..uh, really!?! on another point....I feel like it's a step down from what i did in the navy, there, i was able to things reserved for NP's, PA's and MD's...all without a license but exceptional mind numbing training. Now, as an LVN, Im limited on the scope, but i still have that knowledge and it gets me many "nods" and "where'd you learn that"!!

kool-aide, RN · Mar 23, 2011

Thanks for all the replies! I can't wait to start clinicals because I'm pretty sure I'm going to rock the socks off of them. haha

backatit2 · Mar 23, 2011

i'm a CNA and i became a CNA specifically to gain experience that would help me as a student AND help me decide if the field was for me. i can't say for sure that i'll be a better student, but if i had to guess - i'd say i'll be a step ahead of my peers. i mean, my nursing entrance packet said i needed to purchase a blood pressure cuff (obviously to practice blood pressures in class) which i obviously already know how to do, u know? i imagine when the instructor is teaching about putting on the cuff, systole, diastole, pulse, etc. - i'll be rather bored and will be beneficial to my partner. i also work in the hospital where most of our clinicals are held. i've had the vaccinations, etc. that are required for my JOB so i'm a step ahead in regards to that. i imagine i'll be bored and even helpful when we take a tour of our clinical area since i work there. i KNOW i'll learn a ton as a nursing student that i don't have access to as a CNA, but i've got the basics down. i have NO problem going into a patient's room, introducing myself, doing the whole routine, etc.

i am SO GLAD i chose to take a CNA course which ultimately landed me a hospital job before i began nursing school. i can totally see why it's a requirement for some programs.

not to mention - i think it will make me a better NURSE. i think there's something just inherently wrong about asking someone to do something you won't do or haven't done yourself. i work with nurses who will get right in there with me and help clean up an incontinent patient and who will fill out the part of the chart that is "my job" and then i have some nurses (one in particular) who i KNOW not to ask if she has put a patient on or gotten a patient off of a bedpan bc she'd NEVER do such a thing just like she's never and will never fill out the part of the chart that's "my job." i want to get along with my CNA's when i'm a nurse and i think being a CNA and being in those shoes will help me do that.

mb1949 · Mar 23, 2011

I was never a CNA am not an RN pursuing my BSN, should be finish by this time next year, in my AAS program 50 people are accepted each semester, graduation we had 14, more than half the class were cna's so in my opinion it makes no difference what so ever. The CNA's and the civilians had about the same graduation and drop out rate

mb1949 · Mar 23, 2011

I was never a CNA am not an RN pursuing my BSN, should be finish by this time next year, in my AAS program 50 people are accepted each semester, graduation we had 14, more than half the class were cna's so in my opinion it makes no difference what so ever. The CNA's and the civilians had about the same graduation and drop out rate

oops meant to say am now an RN

1NurseLiz · Mar 23, 2011

I was a CNA for many years then went to MA school and finally made it to RN school a few years ago. It definitely made a difference for me in that I was better able to prioritize my care and was more organized than the other students that weren't CNAs and had no experience.

merlee · Mar 23, 2011

I was never a candy-striper, CNA, or PCT. I did volunteer on a local ambulance for emergency calls. I loved my clinicals, even the ones with 'Sarge'.

It may make a difference in the beginning, but when we get to the critical-thinking skills, complex meds, and teaching, I think students are all mostly on the same page.