How many people here HAVE NOT become CNA certified before applying to Nursing school?

Trenia · May 22, 2011

I never received my CNA and I start a BSN program this fall. I would have liked to done it, but I switched majors last year. With all the extra classes I had to take, I didn't have the time.

Moogie · May 22, 2011

Many programs now require CNA certification prior to admission.

iPink, BSN, RN · May 22, 2011

Not me and almost half-way through my BSN program. Out of about 60 students in my cohort, maybe 5 have some medical experience. There is one LPN, but she got into the program not because of her license, but because of her non-nursing undergrad degree. We are all career changers!

leenak · May 22, 2011

None of the programs I have looked at require you to have your CNA prior to nursing school. I don't plan to become a CNA.

jesskidding, LPN · May 22, 2011

Almost every nursing program in North Carolina requires you to be listed on the NA 1 Registry (at least the ADN programs). I think it's good experience and it gives you a good idea if you will like nursing or not before you spend the time and money getting into a RN program.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 22, 2011

Many programs now require CNA certification prior to admission.

I think most of KS is this way now. I see the point though. You can always pick out students who it is their first time with actual pt interaction

Moogie · May 22, 2011

I see your point, leenak, but one of the reasons many schools (again, not all but many) are requiring students to have CNA certification is because many of the skills taught in the first semester are also taught in CNA programs. Skills like bathing, transferring, and vital signs can be taught in a CNA program rather than take up valuable skills lab time in the nursing program.

The school at which I taught spent over half of its first semester skills labs learning skills like bathing, vs, and transferring. Many of the nursing students who were already CNAs felt that this time was wasted and could have been put to better use learning skills specific to nursing such as medication administration and assessment. Frankly, I agree.

The only disadvantage I see to requiring a CNA prior to starting a program is cost and time; however, another school with which I am familiar offers a CNA course to pre-nursing students as a semester-based course (1-2 credits) so those students don't have to go elsewhere for a CNA course and this can be paid for by their financial aid.

leenak · May 22, 2011

And I'm not opposed to doing the CNA route other than it adding on more time to pre-reqs. I'm hoping to enter into a nursing program next year but if I don't, since I'll be done with all my pre-reqs, I'll probably do a CNA course. I've looked at them many times, I just don't have a way to fit them in at the moment. Plus then it is another $1k out of my pocket for the local CC program. I'd be all for the trade off though of learning more skills.

ICUchick · May 22, 2011

The two programs I am applying to do not require CNA certification but another in my area does. I have decided to take it in a 3 week course in June for the experience. I just feel that if it feels completely awkward it is better to know now then after 4 years of education! I would love to find a job that allows me to work just 1 day per week for experience and to become more confident working with patients before I am doing more than basic care.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 22, 2011

I have never earned a CNA certification, yet I earned my LVN license in 2006 and my RN license last year.

Moogie · May 22, 2011

Leenak, I hope you get in sooner rather than later. :up:

$1000 is a lot of money. I understand that if a facility (like a nursing home or hospital) has its own classes, the cost can be waived if you work there. That could be to your advantage and help you get your foot in the door, particularly at a hospital. But that is a huge chunk of change to come out of anyone's pocket.