CNA certification... yay or nay?

1. I need some opinions please. I am currently an RMA, have been since 1993. As a pre-requisite of the ADN program, I will be taking a CNA course this summer. When I finish my first year of the ADN program I can sit for the LPN boards. This is my question.... Should I spend the 100 dollars to get the CNA certification? I don't see myself using it as I am already working Urgent Care with my RMA, and hopefully I'll be able to sit for the LPN boards in the next year or two, depending on the waiting list. The school doesn't require me to be certified, just finish the course with a C or better. Should I spend the money? What do you think? Thanks for your opinions!
2. 

   About Achoo!

   Joined: Feb '04; Posts: 1,740; Likes: 49
   Urgent Care

   6 Comments

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3. 
   Apr 24, '04

   Occupation: Nurse, of course Specialty: critical care; community health; psych ; Joined: Sep '03; Posts: 2,355; Likes: 621

   If there is no advantage to it, then why bother? You won't be using it for employment and you won't be using it for school. What else is there?
4. 
   Apr 24, '04

   Joined: Dec '03; Posts: 37,336; Likes: 5,525

   I wouldn't spend the money for the certification unless it was going to do something for you. If you aren't going to need it for school, and you already have a job that you are happy with, then...................
   
5. 
   Apr 24, '04

   Occupation: Urgent Care Joined: Feb '04; Posts: 1,740; Likes: 49

   Thanks guys. I can still put that I took the classes on my resume. It's only 100 dollars, but school is expensive enough.. I need to save any way I can!
6. 
   Apr 25, '04

   Occupation: RN - Operating Room (and prn at a hemodialysis clinic) Joined: Feb '03; Posts: 1,190; Likes: 11

   I didn't take the certification exam either...I didn't see the point if I wasn't going to work as a nurses aid. I could use the $$ for school!
7. 
   Apr 25, '04

   Joined: Nov '02; Posts: 729; Likes: 118

   In most programs, you can be hired as a nurse tech after the first semester without having the certification & you even make more money than someone that is a CNA. And you can put it on your resume if you are working.
8. 
   Apr 25, '04

   Occupation: med/surg/ortho RN Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 2,617; Likes: 161

   I agree, and i dont know that if you are in the ADN program that i would waste the money on the LPN exam either (approx 150 bucks depending on state). Unless there is a reason you might not be able to finish the ADN program. You usually have to work for a period fulltime before a facility will let you drop back to part-time because of orientation (if you sit for LPN boards). So as i see it that would cut into your school time. Working as a tech would be more beneficial to you as far as seeing procedures and you would still be able to keep the schedule you know works with your school.

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