Do you have to work as a CNA before going to nursing school?

[Marie_30]

Do you have to work as a CNA? Some people say no and some say it could make a difference between you being accepted into the Nursing program or not. Like you May be selected over someone who has no previous medical background. I did go to Massage Therapy school but I don’t think that would be considered as having a Medical background.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

This depends on where you live. I moved to go to a nursing school in a smaller area because where I lived the requirements were ridiculous. They wanted you to see you volunteer 20 hours a week...I couldn't do that because I had two children and was working 40 hours a week. The flippant admissions person said, "Some mothers work two jobs and get the volunteer work in", I said, "Then that is a mother that is ignoring her children."

I cut my expenses way back, my kids were in school, so when I did get accepted it allowed me to work part-time and still pay my bills, supplementing a little with student loans.

So this is highly regional. I can tell you this, MOST nursing students do not do CNA work first.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I guess it depends on the school. Prior experience had no effect on who got accepted to nursing school at my nursing school.

I did work as a CNA to get a better idea about what nursing involved. The money I made as a CNA paid for nursing school, and the shifts were flexible enough working per diem to pick up weekends, extra days during breaks to maximize my earnings.

[River&MountainRN, ADN, RN]

It depends on your school. Some that I looked at required that you'd been a CNA first.

and/or

It depends on the cost:benefit to you. For some, it makes sense to take a quick, relatively-inexpensive course in order to gain work experience in the healthcare field prior to becoming a nurse. It also benefits you when you get to clinical, because you have some idea of what to expect with up-close interactions with patients (toileting, bathing, transfers, etc) and other members of the healthcare team.

and/or

It depends on whether you're trying to get an "inside edge" into the facility you plan on working in after graduation. Some people have better chances of getting hired as a nurse if they're an internal applicant. (One caveat: working as a nurse on the same floor that you were a CNA might be difficult).

[Party_of_five, BSN]

No, its not needed (at least in my area).

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

It's not needed in the schools in my area. I do recommend it, though. It can benefit you in your clinicals.

[AdobeRN]

It is nice to know alittle about what you are getting into but I don't think it is necessary.

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm sure it can help your chances at getting a job (and maybe school, though I'm not sure about that), but not necessary. I never did it. It can be backbreaking work for not enough pay.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

5 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

I'm sure it can help your chances at getting a job (and maybe school, though I'm not sure about that), but not necessary. I never did it. It can be backbreaking work for not enough pay.

All the more reason to get a taste of it, before you're an RN supervising the CNAs...

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

Not necessary but good. A lot of hospitals like hiring CNAs who are in nursing school.

[Matthew RN, MSN]

The school I teach at requires a CNA certification prior to admission. Only certification, not CNA experience. However in our admissions process there is a slight boost to someone who has 1000+ hours in a nursing related profession, and admissions is very competitive.

It seems to be a bigger deal for initial licensure programs that are ADN programs vs BSN programs.

In my experience CNA experience helps you as a nursing student, a) know what you are getting into, b) know some basic knowledge on how to take care of patients and basic diagnoses.

[Sour Lemon]

My school didn't require it or even consider it.