Does working as a cna before becoming an rn make you a better rn?

Nurses General Nursing

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When I told my sister (who is a bsrn) that I am going to rn school next year (due to a waiting list at the college), she seemed very adiment about me obtaining the cna certificate and to work as one while I wait my turn. According to her rn's who started as cna's are prefered and are often hired into entry level positions over graduates, whose only working experience is clinical studies.

Is there any truth to these claims, and if so what are your personal experiences?:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I don't remember who but I read it and Heather you are right it wasn't you.

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whatever Mario.

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I'm cracking up Heather! We're just joking. I think it may have been the way you agreed with someone then, but I think you did it in a playful way. Why do you not consider yourself a princess anymore?

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Who said I did not consider myself a princess anymore? In fact, it's only gotten worse lately. Have you not heard? I am a goddess now!

BTW - here's the link to the other thread for ya...

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18971

Enjoy!

Heather

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Okay you two, why don't you just get a room.:chuckle

I worked as a health care aid (same as CNA) when I was a student. I highly recommend it. Don't do it like I did, though take the real CNA course -- don't just think you know enough from first year. I was a bit of a fish out of water before I got a little practice. It helped me gain comfort in the health care setting. It helped me develop my "bedside manner" and it definately helped me in those first few months after I got my registration.

It's just a good combination. Aides love nurses who were aides, nurses love aides that are nursing students. Give more insight into the jobs.

Besides it pays more than Mc Donalds.;)

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Being an aide first at the very least is a good way to weed yourself out if nursing truly isn't for you. At least two students in my class didn't realize until clinicals the depths of their aversion to body fluids - coulda saved themselves two years of prereqs if only they'd known. They found out most of the nursing classes up to that point transferred nicely to the dental hygienist program!

Like others have also noted, I've had some experience with (mostly student nurses and while I was one) that those who weren't aides first sometimes think that buttwiping, bathing and bedmaking are beneath them. Those who were aides first recognize that those are tasks we wish we had more time for when we're otherwise inundated with pills and charting.

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Originally posted by Nurse Ratched

Being an aide first at the very least is a good way to weed yourself out if nursing truly isn't for you.

How can you weed yourself? Are you some self-made deity in that you can remove yourself from a predestined course.

Ha-ha-ha I like the expression, and the way you say this, its cool, makes me laugh and feel good.

Leave the weeds alone and let them take over. :kiss

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Absolutely Mario - I can pull myself up by the roots and go elsewhere anytime I want :).

And after one gal passed out the first time she opened a colostomy bag to empty it, she tranplanted her roots to another major ;).

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It was working as a CNA at a nursing home that made me want to become a Nurse. I was planning to just leave it at that, and then I just loved talking to people (although I got so many bruises and aches and pains from so much physical labor) that I had to go on. I think it is advisable because if you can love being a CNA, then you can probably make it through nursing school. I certainly hope so, since I am still in school. Ha!!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Gee i remember those night shift days:

1973 15--30 patients as Nursing assistant

1977 26 patients as LPN

1982 7-14 patients as RN

Agree with Flo's post 100% . I can see all sides to an issue. Patient care ALL aspects love to perform. In home care, done many bed baths in strange locations: recliner chairs (even cathing patients), beech reclioner chairs, air mattresses on the floor etc.

What really pi$$ed me off in home care was caring for patients with leg ulcers and finding 6 inches of crude on feet/between toes. RN's performed perfunctory daily wound care but "forgot" to wash the feet: just rolled that kling and ace wrap. Aide was not allowed to disturb dressing.

Will seen on my toomstone:

Karen O'Hara RN, BSN

Had gloves, lubricant and basin,

Was willing to travel.

LOL . ;)

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Specializes in ER,Neurology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology.

Even though I am not a nurse yet, I can already see how much difference it makes for me to know what I know.

Working as a tech ( cna same thing) I got my certification in phlebotomy ( after all, the ,more experience i have with manipulating veins during blood draws, the easier it would be for me to find veins for IVs), I also went through EKG course and I do them, and I have passed the telemetry exam, so if i ever wanted to be a cardiac nurse, passing the orientation test would not be as hard as if i had no experience.

I also get to know medications and their use before even entering clinicals . I watch nurses and learn their tricks and also learn from their mistakes.

My best friend never had any experience of this sort and I think she is missing out.

I have no doubts she will be a great nurse, but CNA experience is just a great plus.

jmo

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hehehehehehehehe'........why don't you all just get a room'

funny....this caught me, but you can tell by the hour, I am sufferin' from insomnia again

hey........i think it was a he said/she said.............

or whose foot is bigger or something like that.....

micro doesn't know.......'cause micro is off on the mountain contemplating life...........

of course this is a state that insomnia...............

but hey you too, quit fightin' or you are both in the time-out corner..........

micro did micro share of day care......it is not forgotten...........

but what was the original ???????

oh, yes, experience......yeah, probably better.....

but then again.....if you are open to it.....the experience of life.....

like what a better teacher'?

micro is up way past micro's bedtime.....................

:zzzzz :stone :stone

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