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

SteelMagnolia82 · May 23, 2011

Starting LVN program in the fall and have no experience and no certifications in medical field.

prospectivepville · May 23, 2011

I took the class but have yet to get my certification. The plan I'm going with doesn't require it though, but my just-in-case school did.

my4helpers · May 23, 2011

I do not plan on becoming a CNA. I was one about 15 years ago and let my certificate expire.

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · May 23, 2011

Not me. I know the LPN program here requires you have your CNA cert by the end of the first semester, but that's all.

SteelMagnolia82 · May 23, 2011

Ya the program I am attending does not require you to be a CNA but my little sister is attending a college in her area that does require you to have it and it is actually in the program so it is a little longer than my program. Where are you all going to school? I am going to nctc in tx

Mom/Nurse2b · May 23, 2011

Not me! I got into my ADN program on my first try without it.

NewSN13 · May 23, 2011

Count me as a "no," too. The BSN program I start in the fall doesn't require it and doesn't consider it or give any preference for it.

MrSpock · May 23, 2011

I never got my CNA :) I asked it if would help my chances of getting into nursing school and the nursing advisor told me no.

theantichick · May 23, 2011

I have never had a CNA, got into my ASN program without it, it's not considered for entry to my program. However, I was a Paramedic years ago, and think it's helped considerably to have had patient contact and have an idea what to expect. I have a friend taking pre-reqs for her BSN now, and have advised her to get a CNA cert so she can earn some money while in school as well as get patient experience.

I'm also changing careers, and can't afford to take that big of a paycut to work as a CNA, so never really considered it.

1southernstudent · May 23, 2011

Nope, I didn't get a CNA and I am half way done with my ADN.

33762FL · May 24, 2011

No. I did not become a CNA before nursing school. There was no need - the schools I was applying to did not require it or give applicants preference for being a CNA. I did not want to work as a CNA, it's barely more than a minimum wage job and I was not planning to work at all during nursing school. Instead, I put in the effort to find externships in my area and apply to those. I completed an externship with a big hospital network in my area and I've found that was far better experience and provided better job prospects than if I'd been a CNA.

campercass · May 24, 2011

I'm not a CNA and I start my nursing program this August. I would have liked to, for the experience, but time and money did not allow for it.