Getting CNA if not required?

[GirlCalledJack]

I thought getting my CNA was required to be in the nursing program, however I just talked to the head of the nursing school here and she told me it's not required.

I am curious if it's a "smart idea" to get your CNA first anyway! I have 3 semesters worth of pre-req's before I get into the nursing program anyway... but wonder if the CNA class and all it intails will be worth my time?

Thank you in Advance!

[dontknowwhen]

I was always pretty certain I wanted to be a nurse, but never 100% positive til I became a nursing assistant. I love being around the nurses and hearing the terms and coming home looking them up to see what they mean, and a couple of nurses don't even care if the techs ask ignorant questions out of curiousity. Although I don't get to spend much time around the nurses, because I do work in a nursing home, it has helped to give me some insight to what they do and how time management will really be an issue. And whomever said you won't get as much experience in a nursing home is right, it's mostly the sicknesses and wounds over and over, but I still love it. If I have to work while in school, it may as well be the field I want to go into.

If you don't enjoy being a CNA, does that mean that you will not enjoy being an RN? I'm not a CNA but considering taking the course and working for experience.

[land64shark]

The other thing: It taught me how to check off skills which is a BIG thing in nursing school. It was worth $75.00.

Maggie,

Where did you take a class for $75? I called the Red Cross here in Tampa Bay and they told me $475! There are ads in the classifieds that advertise around $300 with "easy payment plans" I want to take the class, but the price is deterring me especially since I'm not sure I'll actually work as a CNA.

[GirlCalledJack]

landshark, those are the same prices I found around here, so I'm just taking it at my community college where my financial aide money can pay for it... *sigh* it seems nothing is ever easy