For Those of You Who Were Accepted Into BSN Programs With No CNA Experience

[missnursingstudent19]

Ok, so I completed a CNA class, and I failed the state test the first time I went to take it. I just took it for a second time today and failed it yet again. Of course, I have one more chance to take it, but...I'm starting to question whether it is even worth the stress it would cause. I mean, the only reason I started the CNA journey in the first place was to gain experience that would help me get into nursing school. There are so many other ways to gain experience though. The school I'm going to apply for doesn't require a CNA license, and I know there are plenty of RNs who were never CNA's. My question is, how did you get into your nursing program if you didn't have any CNA experience? Volunteer work? assisted living facility jobs?

[Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN]

I had no healthcare experience and I got into a ASN program. I'll graduate in May and then sit for the NCLEX. For us, it was all based on GPA from the pre-reqs. Good luck!

[sweetsthrnsass]

I didn't have any healthcare experience before nursing school and I didn't work as a tech or CNA during nursing school either and I just got a NICU job (I'm about to graduate). Just do something to stand out. I raised livestock since I was 7 and did everything during nursing school that other people weren't necessarily doing: skills labs for medical students, simulations for MD residents, leading organizations that weren't the usual (SNA or Class Council). And great grades before and during.

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

Interesting that you are failing the skills portion of the CNA test. Are you aware that you will be required to get most of those skills checked off in a skills lab in an exam mode style?

[ZoeFrecn]

My program doesn't require that you have your CNA licence, only that you have taken the course. Even though CNA stands for certified nursing assistant, a lot of these skills are considered basic nursing skills. Most nursing programs will test you on them in your first quarter, and you are expected to have these skills down pat. I understand that there are other ways to gain experience (such as volunteer work) but there are a lot of benefits in have your CNA and working. You get hands on experience in patient care which will really give you a boost up in your clinical's. It can help you figure out which area of nursing you might want to specialize in. For example, I work in the ER and I love it, I'm planning on becoming an ICU or ER nurse. And it's great for professional networking. My department will hire CNA's into their residency program once you finish school.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

My program doesn't require that you have your CNA licence, only that you have taken the course. Even though CNA stands for certified nursing assistant, a lot of these skills are considered basic nursing skills. Most nursing programs will test you on them in your first quarter, and you are expected to have these skills down pat. . . .

That is what we learned the first 6 weeks into my nursing program - basic nursing skills. Taking VS was one important part and I had no idea how to take a BP. But we practiced on each other and I figured it out. Same with the other skills. Then we headed out to our first clinical on a med-surg floor and we were basically doing all the patients personal care as well. We learned during school. That's what school is for.

I have no real problem if someone wants to go the CNA or PCT or MA route prior to nursing school but the truth is, nursing school teaches us how to be a nurse. I'm fine with letting it happen that way.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Sure people become RNs w/o CNA experience. However, every last skill you were tested on, you will have to demonstrate competency in in nursing school. CNA skills are the very first portion of your Basic Nursing skills class. You need to figure out where you're lacking and how to fix it, if you want any hope of succeeding in nursing school.