Do I need a CNA certificate to become a LVN?

[Sally1]

I am interested in becoming a LVN (possibly a RN in the future). Do I have to receive a CNA certificate in order to become a LVN? Is attaining a CNA certificate beneficial to my career no matter what?

(Sorry if this is a pretty basic question, I am just beginning my research on this particular career and am trying to find information from many sources. Thank you).

[jlcole45]

You'll have to ask the school you are planning on applying too, what are their requirements. Our local community college RN program has made it a requirement that all nursing students go through the CNA or NA 1 program. Actually they've altered the RN training since their students get adls, etc... in the CNA class.

Actually I like the idea because it adds a diversity to the CNA class - nursing students, next to folks who are going through work force programs, next to someone who has a family member that they are caring for, etc...

[starrynites]

I'm a RN student at a technical college in Wisconsin and I know that successfully passing the CNA course is required for entry into both the LPN and RN tracks. We however, are not required to get the certification through the state unless we want to.

Hi,

I am in WI.. want to go for my lpn. I took the CNA course that took a few months.. 2 years ago. I just found out that I can't sit for the licensing now.. I don't want to re take the course over. Can you please tell me if MATC or Herzing will accept the Certification.. even though its two years old? I mean do they just want to see you attended the program at some point in time>? I hope.. lol

Leah

[nursel56]

It helps to be a CNA in the ADL skills and vital signs sections of LVN school, but the CNAs actually seemed a little bored through that part. They were a big help to the rest of us because our instructor let them help, for example if someone couldn't find a radial pulse or use the manual blood pressure cuff accurately.

[starrynites]

It helps to be a CNA in the ADL skills and vital signs sections of LVN school, but the CNAs actually seemed a little bored through that part. They were a big help to the rest of us because our instructor let them help, for example if someone couldn't find a radial pulse or use the manual blood pressure cuff accurately.

I think in WI.. the CNA certificate not the license is required for admission. I am not sure if that is for both lpn and Rn or not. However my question is mine is 2 years old. I don't know if that is not good anymore? Also... how do/did you like LPN school? I don't want to go for RN. I need to work and the one year program will allow me to get in and out and work. Let me know if your working as an LPN where and if you like it. Thanks

[starrynites]

Sounds like a school to school thing. I ditto, call the school and find out. Mine was a local technical school and did not require one, but like I said above, we could test for the CNA certification after the first half of clinical was done.

Do you think... it matters if I attended CNA school 2 years ago? Do they just want to know that you went?

[nursel56]

I think in WI.. the CNA certificate not the license is required for admission. I am not sure if that is for both lpn and Rn or not. However my question is mine is 2 years old. I don't know if that is not good anymore? Also... how do/did you like LPN school? I don't want to go for RN. I need to work and the one year program will allow me to get in and out and work. Let me know if your working as an LPN where and if you like it. Thanks

I went to a private vocational school. It took almost exactly one year. For me it was pretty intense because I had no healthcare background at all. The landscape of job opportunities for LPNs and LVNs has changed recently, making it difficult to get a job in an acute care hospital. However, with your LPN license you can legally work in long-term care, a clinic, a doctor's office, a hospital or in home health. Personally, I think that's pretty darn good for a year of school.

Right now I'm working in home health taking care of people on ventilators who would otherwise be placed in a nursing home. I really like it, but I've worked in all areas of nursing except long-term care. There was a time I didn't want to work weekends and holidays, so I worked in a clinic or Dr.'s office. For me, it's worked out great. Like I said, things are different now, and you need to keep up with the job availability conditions before and during school if you enroll in an LPN program.

I've seen so many people here just shocked they can't find a job after they graduate! There is too much time and money devoted to becoming a nurse if you can't get hired as one!! Best wishes to you! :)

[starrynites]

Hi,

Thanks For Sharing .. your experience. Yeah.. the CNA Certificate messed me up. I don't need the actual.. license to get into a program.. I need the Certificate. And its two years old. Not sure if this mattters .. or not. Uggh. I live in WI. I know.. from reading all the posts.. each state is way.. differen't when it comes to LPNS.. NJ where I grew up for example.. my bff is a RN and she says they won't hire LPNs ..only in nursing homes. They are in NJ trying to mandate a BSN. I live in WI.. and we are behind sorrta old fashioned in the times/thinking. Lpns are still Very... hireable in all areas.. jobs are broad here.. and plentiful. I looked on line.. and there are many from.. drs.. offices.. long term.. and I even phoned some hospitals whom hire them.. and pay for you to get your RN. SO.. I am happy I live here. But.. I wasn't sure about the MA vs. LPN.. can I ask you why you chose LPN over MA? I was reading some.. hospitals hire MAs and train them to be PCA's which is not here. They hire LPNS first. But that is because we are not that advanced. But.. that makes me happy.. because I do not want or desire a RN. Home Care.. Can I ask you how LPN is in home care? I wanted to do homecare or hospice.. because my father upon passing had the most wonderful nurse who came out at wee hours of the morning. She was a wonderful nurse. I am not fond of hospitals but the learning is there. I use to have a friend whose brother was handicapped through an accident. He has a nurse that stayed with him all day.. helped him eat etc. Then went home at supper time.. another came and stayed over with him. They even went with him to the park and stores. I respect home care so.. much. Thanks For all your help and advise.

[nursel56]

Does your certificate have an expiration date on it? Licenses have to be renewed with a fee and some continuing education hours. If it doesn't, your 2 year old certificate should be good, but be sure and check with the school on that.

On the question of MA vs LPN. The most important difference (and there are alot) is that an LPN can do everything an MA can do, but an MA cannot do everything an LPN can do. I'm only talking about California now, but you can google the info for WI. Sometimes the difference in class time is only a few months. An MA is trained only to work in a doctor's office. Hospitals don't hire them. As an MA, you are not allowed to assess or do "telephone triage", or dispense advise.

If a school tells you that you need to be an MA before working as a tech or aid, they're ripping you off. There are lots of threads about MA vs LPN vs CNA full of stories from people who got rooked by these schools. Also, if you change your mind and want to become an RN, you can choose from many LPN-RN bridge programs. As an MA, you'll have to start from scratch.

In home care I take care of a patient with a trach and vent, it's great because I only have one patient, I have independence and it's interesting. You could probably work in hospice home care (as your dad had) or for a disabled person such as your friend's brother. I'm not sure if hospice has different qualifications to be hired, though. I had already worked with trachs in the hospital before doing private duty (home care), but right now I'm working with a new grad on her first job, so it can be done.

You are lucky that LPNs still have so much choice in WI. Sounds like what California used to be like. Hope some of this helps!

[starrynites]

Thank You So.. Much.

My Certificate has an issue date of April 2008. I was suppose to take the state exam no more then up to one year of issue. The state I live in requires the Certificate.. not the state exam.. but the confusion is .. within issue license date of that year>? Or anytime thereafter?

To the state.. it expired and I would have to re take the whole course over. But the schools dont require the exam so.. does that mean the issue date does not matter to them? Hopefully...lol

Did you work and go for CNA first? I am not sure what I am going to do for work for that one year. I don't want anything stressful.. so that I can concentrate on the program.

I did not have .. high school algebra.. chemistry or bio. Does this matter prior to LPN entrance/exam? I don't want to get let down.

Is there Algebra and Chemistry and Bio in the lpn? How was the antatomy? How did you get through it.. my strong points arent' math and science.. I need all the extra help I can get.

Thanks.. Leah

[nursel56]

Leah-

I wish I could give you better answers regarding the two schools you mentioned earlier in this thread, but things are so different from state to state and school to school I would be afraid of giving you incorrect information.

Normally you will be talking to an admissions counselor or perhaps getting a school catalogue, or visiting a school website to get the most accurate and up to date information about everything you will need, and that will address your specific concerns about anatomy, chemistry and math.

Sometimes there will be a skills test of some sort(basic math and verbal, not too fancy) to find out a student's strengths and weaknesses going in. All the people in my class graduated from school, and we all had differrent talents and abilities. If you have decided on a school, make sure you ask them what to expect with regard to any of your concerns.

No, I didn't work as a CNA before LPN school. I worked in a retail clothing store! I was lucky I didn't have to work during school because I lived with my parents. The only girl in my class who worked, worked as a CNA on the weekends, because she had no choice in the matter financially. If you have to work during nursing school, I think a CNA job is a good job to have and many people here on the Student Nurse forum have CNA jobs.

Each state here on allnurses has it's own forum, so you may be able to find out more about those 2 schools you mentioned by starting a thread on the Wisconsin Forum, or the Student Nurse forum for more general questions. There are thousands of people there with the same questions and concerns.

I haven't yet started my own thread here, but there is a sticky post "Getting Started on Allnurses" that will tell you how to do it.