Do experienced students (cna, emt) do better in nursing programs than non-exp???

[Aka Mommy]

I was accepted into an ADN program, but I'm a little nervous I might be behind others that are more experienced! Will I be able to "catch up"? It's funny, I have heard horror stories and then some say it's not so bad.....just wondering where I will be? Thanks for your input!

[blackandyellow]

I would have to say that my experince working in a hospital helped me out because I felt more comfortable at clinicals. However there is the hospital way of doing thing's and the schools way of doing thing's so I had to make sure I was doing thing's the school's way. Academically it helped me because I could think of many example's and when I would go to work I would try to apply some of my knowledge in my head to help me memorize with patients conditions. I also work with great nurses who have been helpful when I have questions. As far as NCLEX goes when I first started taking the questions I kept getting them wrong because I was thinking of a CNA, once I got that thinking out of my head I started getting the answers correct.

[Trilldayz,RN BSN]

To answer both your questions, IMHO..

My experience as a paramedic is helpful, but my life experience and interest in healthcare has been equally as important. That said, my EMS experience was very broad. Am I doing better then a lot of other students in my class, yes. Is there anyone with no previous experience that is doing as well as I am, yes. A big piece of it comes down to individual students determination, study habits, professors teaching abilities, and how much one is willing to sacrifice..nursing school does take effort. :)

Secondly, if your ADN program is designed for those without previous healthcare experience then you shouldn't worry about being behind or keeping up with anyone else in the class....unless your own personality is of those competitive types-which I understand... Just learn, do the work, and pass the exams.

I agree! I had experience and I happened to surpass many students in my class who had none, because I was less nervous and I was more determined.

[MedChica]

If you have healthcare experience, you'll likely be more comfortable with the terms, setting and the pts.

That is all.

Doesn't necessarily mean that you'll do better in class. You'll probably kick butt in clinicals - because the ones with no hlthcare exp have to work through their shyness and anxiety.

I'm currently doing CNA work. Beforehand, I did xray/ct.

Ever been to radiology? The pts might as well be on an assembly line. Get em in. Knock it out. Get them out.

"Breath in. Hold."

"Stretch out your arm...hold it!"

*beep*

"Ok....ma'am/sir..." Helps pt off table and walks to door. "The report will take 3-5 days and if you have any questions? Just feel free to consult your primary care physician...ok?"

"Ok..."

I make sure that they find their way to the dressing room.

NEXT!!!!

Same with CT.

Our job was to perform as quickly, efficiently and with as few mistakes as possible.

I'm good for speed but the touchy-feely mess? I had issues with it in my CNA class, for example.

I was always getting dinged for not communicating ENOUGH.

*laugh*

My instructor and classmates were always like, "Talk more."

I was like, "Talk about what?"

*laugh*

I thought it more important that I get done and get out of their hair. Pts in xray definitely prefer it this way.

In xray school, you're not having conversations with the 'phantom patients'. You are performing the position step by step and discussing strategies/techniques. The focus? Getting it down and producing a nice radiograph.

****

I will say that the CNA's are the most annoying in my class. The CNA's with experience were annoying in my CNA class. It was almost, like, "Ok...who is the instructor, here...?"

Y'know the sort:

"Oh...really - because in our facility, we used to do it like THIS..."

Shut up, g/d*mn it!

*laugh* If this is not going to be on the test then this is not 'need to know' information.

Does the instructor actually have to launch into the history of this particular subject or will a 'we don't do it like that anymore' suffice?

*laugh*

My LVN course just began -- but, the loudest ones in the class are the CNA's. I, unfortunately, chose to sit in the midst of the CNA Circle. *sigh*

...and, at this point, I can tell that...yeah - it's going to be a pret- ty long year...

Hell...there are plenty of us who have more healthcare exp than them (including myself) - but, you didn't see us constantly talking about it.

Why would we? Xray, medicine and EMT, etc...have nothing to do with each other, let alone nursing.

Nursing...is a completely different animal.

You can draw parallels - but, not many.

I will say that I don't understand how prior experience can be a negative, i.e., thinking like a CNA.

I see that thrown all ove rthis board. What's it even mean.

If you're in student mode and know how to 'stay in your lane', then your past exp shoudln't be a barrier to the learning process.

Now, if you go in trying to argue, debate/one-up the instructor and 'teach' the other students because you've been a CNA/EMT/ER tech/Surg Tech/Radiology,etc...?

Well - yeah...you're going to have problems.

Incidentally, these are the prior hlthcare exp types who tend to fail, btw. Why?

False confidence and bravado.

They've underestimated the course OR they're practically 'UNteachable'...

Either way, they'll fail because they just 'know it all'.

Look around your class. You know who they are.

You don't have to solicit. They almost always self-identify...and self-identify consistently.

[Aka Mommy]

MedChica:P....your crackin me up! Yeah, I've already met a few of the ones your talking about in my pre-reqs classes so that will be no shocker! I am loud and like to get to know people but, some people just love to hear themselves talk. Thanks for the insight, I was hoping someone would break it down like that!! ha

[Seth O Scope]

Depending on the personality of the students having prior experience may be a disadvantage to them. Many instructors are very particular about doing things their way and some know it all students like to relay how they were previously taught to do something. Professors hate this. Plus if the experienced student does something based on the way he/she is used to and it differs even slightly from the way you were taught now it can affect their grade. So in a way you have an advantage in the sense that youre learning it for the first time from the person who will be grading you and you have no conflicting knowledge on the subject. Good luck!

[NACovey]

I despised the way some nurses did their work at the nursing home I just recently used to work at. So, I am glad to see that I will have an open mind starting nursing school. I am going there to learn. Those teachers know a lot more than I do, so there is no way I would question their teachings. I think the main advantage I will have as a CNA is the way I connect with patients. I know how to talk to them. I'm not scared of them. I feel like the first time interacting with patients can kind of intimidate people.