Importance of being a CNA before RN

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Hi there,

I have a bit of a dilemma here. I am planning on going back to school in May to get my BSN. Currently, I work in HR and picked up a CNA job to do once a week to "make sure" Nursing was for me. I don't love it by any means but its manageable. This fall I will be going back to school to finish up pre-reqs. I can't continue to work two jobs and go back to school. I make more money in my HR job, but am willing to work full time as a CNA instead to be a better RN. My question to you is how valuable do you think CNA experience is to becoming an RN? Is it enough that I have experienced it?

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Would you make more money as a RN verses your HR position?

Being a CNA will help you in more ways than one, if you go to nursing school.

Frankly, I believe MD's should be RN's before med school.

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Yes I would make $10 more as an RN versus HR but to me its not about the $$. Thanks for the advice

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
Yes I would make $10 more as an RN versus HR but to me its not about the $$. Thanks for the advice

IMHO, keep the HR position. You have probably already worked enough as a CNA to appreciate the similarities between nursing duties & CNA duties, as well confirm your desire to become an RN [bSN]. However, [not a knock against CNAs] you cannot grasp the critical thinking aspect of nursing without being a nurse.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Well...I didn't become a CNA before nursing school and did just fine! HR is a good tool to have too, in fact...people and personal skills have MUCH to do about nursing, and really help with work ethics and getting a job that fits you!

I too worked in HR before nursing school and use those skills all the time! Probelm solving, resumes, work ethics, dealing with people in a proactive stance, learning the facility and administration, etc! I find it is important too!

SO it is really up to you...I find both are great learning experiences that you can take with you into your nursing career! I mean, I got more CNA out of nursing school than dealing with human realtions which is a large part of our jobs really....so....

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I found my experience as a tech invaluable to me during nursing school. However, many people had no experience and made fine nurses. In fact, back in the day, people entered nursing school right out of high school and never had experience. CNA will definately help you, but it might be hard studying in nursing school if you are struggling with money!

Can you still work HR and pick up shifts as a CNA here and there?

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They both are great choices b/c HR you'll have skills with paperwork and stuff but you can get that working other different jobs. I think CNA would be good because you can strengthen your assessment skills not to mention the support you'll get working with experienced CNA's, nurses, and just being in the environment of a Health Care Center you can do your research on your clients that you take care of as a CNA and learn alot.

However, you have to do whats right for you. Financially, if you can't make it with the pay rate working as an aide then just continue HR job. One thing about nursing school is that they teach you how to be an aide and a nurse at the same time. I notice that lots of CNA's who are students have it difficult b/c being a CNA it's a difficult job that's not meant for anyone. I also notice that some CNA students work poorly as an aide, and are very strong and different working as a nurse.... Remember Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of human needs....in your case....security comes in the form of financial of what you need to do in order to make it through school....

KAL

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Perinatal, Float.

I became a CNA when I was 16 and found it was helpful experience for nursing, but a couple factors I see here. Time is money and if you make more money with the HR job leaving more time for study in school, I'd do that. Another thing you might consider in your decision is that a CNA job may be more flexible being able to do other shifts and weekends. I worked as a CNA with an agency in town so could pick up shifts if I wanted or not work when busy with school. You also tend to get more money per hour with an agency, I could also experience different places to work as a CNA. I could go do some home care (one was a weekend just asssisting a pt after her being in the hosp) I also worked some night shifts just helping a lady to a commode when she needed all night. All the different nursing homes varied alot, and there were a couple that I refused to go to after the first time!! plus you can get paid that day (after work) or weekly and work whatever shift works for you at the time. If you wanted benefits, you just had to work more hours. Just some thoughts... and if you take another class you can be certified to pass medications, or once you get to a certain point in nursing school you can get that certification.

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The biggest advantage to being in some sort of pt care position before becoming an RN is knowing what you're getting into. It's not as much of a system shock as it would be to someone who wants to be a nurse but has no clue what it's really all about. You will also have one up on the neophyte when it comes to lectures because when the instructor talks about the difficulty that a CHF-er has breathing, you will have seen it and can picture it.

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I don't think yo need to be a FT CNA to know what it is all about. I do believe that a medical assistant or nursing assistant background is abolutely necessary prior to becoming an RN.

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I don't think yo need to be a FT CNA to know what it is all about. I do believe that a medical assistant or nursing assistant background is abolutely necessary prior to becoming an RN.

I never worked one minute in any type of health care environment before I became an RN, and I've somehow managed to get by for the last 20 years.

The OP should do what works best for her, because either way, she's going to come out ok as far as succeeding as an RN. It would be nice if she didn't come out of nursing school broke.

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That can be a good idea! My problem was just the opposite..I have a 17 yr old who has a ton of medical stuff and I do everything nurses do with my daughter....including a vent.

I used to get a kick out of listening to the nurses who worked at the places we did our clinicals at telling me I should " get a job as a CNA to get my skills down pat & really get the experience to help me through school" I would just nod & smile or say " thanks, I'll definetly keep that in mind" ....and think to myself "if you only had even a clue of what I've been doing for years it would blow your mind". I never advertised my personal experience because there was no need to.

I have to say it though.........Never assume.........as these nurses did ;)

I just let it go in one ear & out the other........lol..........I mean they didn't know so it was kind of funny actually....lol

My uncle just got out of the hospital the other day & I had to pick him up. Well the nurse being precepted by his reg nurse did it to me too when I went in to get him........he always is telling people I am going to be a nurse & I am graduating this Dec.............I just smiled & nodded:lol2: :lol2:

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