Hey Nurses!

MarathonerPN · Jul 31, 2009

oH yeah!! I learned A LOT when I was a CNA, I think is a great to find out if you can be a nurse!!! Good luck!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2009

personally, I think it should be REQUIRED that every nurse work as a CNA before getting their nursing license.

It helps you keep things in perspective. I learned so many basic care things, how to organize my shift(Which I spend about 5 minutes at the start of every shift after report planning out my shift...it doesn't always work, but when it does, it's great!) You learn what "little things" your CNAs will probably appreciate, you become more comfortable relating to families and patients, and you learn how to deal with the tough patients.

I will NEVER forget the nurse that put a patient on a bedpan, did NOT tell me, and then proceeded to try to chew me out 30 minutes later when I told her that I didn't know anything about that patient being on a bedpan("I told you...", well, I hadn't seen her yet that night, so that would have been impossible). I swore I would never be a nurse like that.

You learn what to get patients before they arrive to the floor, you learn basic care...the most important base you need. just my .02

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2009

I was a CNA prior to becoming a nurse. It was tremendously helpful. I agree that CNA work experience should be a requirement for nursing education.

Batman24 · Jul 31, 2009

My NS required that we take a CNA or HHA course. We had to pass the course but we didn't have to work as one.

momandstudent · Jul 31, 2009

Although I am still in NS (2 semesters left), I worked as a CNA (LTC facility) and PCA (developmentally disabled) and I think it helped me tremendously. Yes, I was still nervous for clinicals (first injections, etc.) but I was comfortable doing the ADLs and conversing with the patients. I know the classmates that had no experience had a much harder time because of their nerves.

PedsAtHeart, LPN · Jul 31, 2009

I was a CNA. That is what made me want to become a nurse.

I think it did help out a lot.

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 31, 2009

I DISAGREE totally that you HAVE to be a cna to be an RN, because i did nothing of the such. i had much other medical experience and i have NO problems with what i am doing. for certain individuals, yeah sure they really super need to have that, but you know, just because SOME ppl need it doesnt mean that everyone shoudl have to go thru it. everyone is different.

thats my peace and now i will step off my soapbox

-H-RN

my edit- though i have seen that you can learn a lot, there is nothing to be taken away from being a cna first!

PedsAtHeart, LPN · Jul 31, 2009

I also think that being a CNA prior to becoming nurse helps you to respect CNAs and what they do a little more.

NurseKatie08, MSN · Jul 31, 2009

I was a CNA for three years prior to becoming a nurse...it definitely helped me become comfortable working with patients.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jul 31, 2009

I don't think it has to be done, but I think it is of great benefit to you.

Yes, I did it for a little while. Very much an eye opener and education you will not get anywhere else. On many levels.....