I need your two cents!

[4my2girls]

I am currently a stay at home mom, who wants to get into the nursing field, and work in Labor & Delivery. I have been reading all sorts of information my brain seems to be overloaded. I need to know if you think if it is beneficial to go to school and become a CNA? My other option is a local hospital is hiring Patient Care Associates (in LD) who only require you have a high school diploma (which I have). I know that after reading other threads on here most people thought being a cna/pca before they went to school to become a RN helped. Plus if I get a job the hospital will pay for my schooling. I look forward to reading your advise!!

[catlynLPN]

I am currently a stay at home mom, who wants to get into the nursing field, and work in Labor & Delivery. I have been reading all sorts of information my brain seems to be overloaded. I need to know if you think if it is beneficial to go to school and become a CNA? My other option is a local hospital is hiring Patient Care Associates (in LD) who only require you have a high school diploma (which I have). I know that after reading other threads on here most people thought being a cna/pca before they went to school to become a RN helped. Plus if I get a job the hospital will pay for my schooling. I look forward to reading your advise!!

Wow! That would be no contest for me!! If they will pay for your schooling....then GO, Girl! Go!

But yes, being a CNA will help quite a bit...it will give you a basic idea of nursing.....alot of hands on care of patients: feeding, bathing, changing, ambulating, vital signs, blood sugar tests, maybe urinary catherizations.... you would learn alot. {Back when I was an aide we didn't do catherizations, but I understand that today some aides can.}

[Practicalone, LPN]

I worked in L&D as a CNA for 3 years prior to getting my LPN. I am sooooo thankful that I did too. It really helped me to understand the whole processes. Now I am working in the same department and I'm looking into getting extra certifications that will help me stay in the department and maybe further my knowledge. Also while going to school I was able to get hospital funded scholarships to help out with my tuition. I've also considered going back to school to get my RN so that I can do deliveries. GO FOR IT.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Aren't Patient Care Associate's very similar? At hospitals where I'm from that's just the term they use for CNA. They just did their own training. I could be wrong though. I would say if the PCA position with L & D is available, and they pay for training go for it!

[mjb324]

Go for it!! Alot of our cna's on our unit have gone through school and are now working as RN's one of them is now assistant DON. You have to start somewhere. Good luck !!!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

There is an NNP where I work that started out as a tech in the nursery, went to nursing school, and then to NP school. All while working and as a single mom. And she's good. So definitely, if you want to get a flavor for the field, go for it! Good luck!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

That would be a awesome way for you to get into nursing. The nursing students who had previous pt care experience were way more comfortable in clinical. I say go for it. Good luck to you.

[NurseWannabe1129]

That would be a awesome way for you to get into nursing. The nursing students who had previous pt care experience were way more comfortable in clinical. I say go for it. Good luck to you.

Pretty much the same thing I was going to say. Being a CNA gives you a base on how to care and COMMUNICATE with patients!

I am not shy at all. I work in a bar and will jump in on any conversation.. and talk to anyone. But I have a problem doing that with my patients in clinicals. I'm actually debating taking the pay cut and becoming a CNA in order to learn how to communicate with patients better.

[4my2girls]

Thanks for all your advise!!