Does Having CNA Exp Help so Much in Nursing School?

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I am considering getting my CNA and wonder if it worth the time and money to get my cna before I apply and start RN school? I'm ready to apply for most ADN programs and wonder how much better of a chance getting into schools with this.

Also as a single mom, without any help, would having a cna help our nursing school experince a whole lot easier.

Thanks in advance for ANY helpful insight!

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I can't comment on if it will help you get into ns, but once you start clinicals and labs you will be more comfortable with patient interaction and basic ADL skills. I am very happy I worked as a CNA before ns and throughout ns. Good luck

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Specializes in Psych.

I worked in health care ( activities and CNA) prior to nursing school. I think that I had an easier time first semester because of it. I am more comfortable with patients then some class mates. Also I dont have a problem with some of the nurses that others have. I have dealt with their type before and they do not intimidate me. And I know what Im getting into. I can see that nursing school is not the real world.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Some schools consider if you have a CNA during the application process because it shows your interest in the medical field. At my school, the first three weeks of class were mainly learning CNA skills, so knowing them ahead of time would make transition to a nursing student easier. Probably the biggest benefit would be getting into a hospital system as a CNA and then being hired from within as an RN once you get your license! If you are able to, I would get your CNA to make yourself a more competitive candidate. Even if you are not working in a hospital, you can claim years of medical field experience on your resume once you become a nurse.

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I begin the ADN program in fall of 2011. I think I'll take the CNA course over the summer and try to work as a CNA on the weekends. I agree, that it has to help me feel more comfortable with patients. Just having one less thing to learn the first few months of school will helpful.

mtnsandsky

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Specializes in ER, OB.

I will graduate in May and I can't say that having my CNA helped so much with class work but it for sure did when it came to clinical. I don't know if I could have made it through nursing school if I hadn't already had the prior knowledge from being a CNA. I tell everyone I know to become a CNA before they become a nurse. Not only do you learn a lot of valuable skills you learn what a nurse REALLY does. Best of luck!!

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Specializes in Infusion.

It is a pre-requisite to get into nursing school here. From the standpoint of nursing school being a large investment, I think it is a really good idea to have experience with patients. It may or may not help you get into nursing school but you will be ahead on your clinical skills as others have said.

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Gee Thanks so much to all the responses! :redpinkhe

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It's hard to measure how much being a CNA helps, if at all. It depends on each individual person. I wasn't a CNA before I started nursing school nor did I have any prior medical experience, and I've done just fine. If you have time to get a CNA license before nursing school and it's something you want to do, then go for it. Look at it this way - it can't hurt.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I think it helps get over that initial awkwardness of being with the pt and having to touch them, move them whatever.

Also i know my school requires that we have our CNA before admissions but I never worked as one.

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

I think it helps a lot! I have worked as a CNA in hospitals and even the *dreaded* nursing home setting. I think it definately helps with your confidence level. And depending on how much you want tolearn, you can get your nurses to teach you things. So this will help in nursing school. For example, in clinicals we have 2 patients to do total care on. I was always done with both patients (showered, made beds, and passed trays) by 8:30 or 9am while my classmates were still doing the bathing on one patient lol.

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Specializes in LTC, ACUTE.

No one seems to realize you just said you were a single mom. You don't want to get caught up in the 'trap' of working as a CNA for the money that you make. It's wonderful to have that experience and you will certainly be stronger and more aware in nursing school but it doesn't necessarily mean at the end of the road, you'll be a better nurse because of it.

Unless you have the time and time = money, to go through CNA then work, then go into RN school by all means that is a wonderful thing. I wouldn't put your RN on hold for it though, if you know what I mean.

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