Does RN school give you your CNA cert.?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 22, 2012

It not only varies by state but also by school. Some schools require CNA certification as a requirement to enter the nursing program. Some states permit you to sit for the written portion of the CNA certification exam after completing nursing fundamentals 1 and authorization from your school.

As far as state rules, check the entitity that certifies nursing assistants in your state (it may be the BoN it may be the dept of health). Some nursing homes offer free CNA certification classes and then hire you to work for the facility at the end of your training.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2012

As JustBeachy said, it depends on your school and your state. I was never officially a "CNA" in that I never took the certification test but in my state, most hospitals will hire nursing students into nurse's aide positions after they have completed at least one semester of clinical. So, that's what I did.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2012

Depends on the state like the others have posted. Also, you aren't 'automatically' a CNA, while you don't have to attend formal CNA classes, take the State exam, etc, you still have to fill out the needed paperwork and send in the application fees (if applicapable) etc.

To get the most accurate answer, contact your State's BON.

CP2013 · Nov 1, 2012

Some schools after your first CLINICAL rotation course will let you know that you are eligible to apply for work as a CNA. Many students in community colleges find this is after their first semester. The local area hospitals even have it listed under "required education" as something to the effect of:

Must be a CNA, or have completed first clinical rotation, or have completed EMT program, or completed a nursing program and failed to pass NCLEX 3 times. (note the OR, and not AND, as this sometimes confuses applicants)

Talk with your school and see which semesters are appropriate for you to begin applying for CNA positions.

Good luck! :)

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 1, 2012

I am in Texas and the local schools do not offer the certificate. It comes thru the Dept of Health. If the nursing student completes a form and has the school complete it's portion, then the Health Dept will send out the certificate. We are now requiring it of our externs. But it starts with the student

jdmar · Nov 2, 2012

I am in Texas and the local schools do not offer the certificate. It comes thru the Dept of Health. If the nursing student completes a form and has the school complete it's portion, then the Health Dept will send out the certificate. We are now requiring it of our externs. But it starts with the student

Thank you all for your responses.

Classicdame - Do you know how long the student must be in the program before they can apply through the Dept of Health? I am debating on going ahead and enrolling in a CNA course (4 weeks of night classes - $500), but if I don't have to wait too long before I can just request the cert. then I'll do that instead. I just want to be able get my foot in the door, which most places now require a CNA cert., and I don't want to have to wait until I'm two or three semesters in before I can start.

Any suggestions?

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 2, 2012

As stated, it depends on where you live. I worked at a hospital as a PCNA (patient care nursing assistant). They either required you to have your STNA certification (Ohio's equivalent to a CNA) *or* have already completed one year of nursing school and you would be eligible. At another hospital, you could be a NA whether or not you had your STNA certification...but to work there as a NT (nurse tech), you had to be in a nursing program. So again, it depends. Some programs also require you to get your CNA cert BEFORE applying to the program.