Internship/Externship need CNA license?

johsonmichelle · Jun 23, 2015

I'm currently heading towards my first year of nursing school (BSN). After completing my first year, I intend to apply for internship/externship for nursing for summer 2016. Although I saw on the website that many programs require a CNA license. This summer, I'm contemplating about taking courses to obtain my CNA license. The only issue is that once I obtain my license, I will be returning to school for the fall and spring year. In other words, I will not be working while in school.
Should I still obtain my CNA license even if I do not gain experience as a CNA?
Can I apply for internship/externship based on my first year of clinical experience in nursing school?
How long does a CNA license last if I do not work as CNA right away?

I'm currently applying/interviewing for internship/externship myself, I obtained a cna license after completing fundamentals of nursing. All i had to do was fill out an application, submit official transcripts and pass a background check. Check with the board of nursing in your state to see if they different option for nursing students to obtain a cna license. If you don't have that option then I would highly advise to take the cna course this summer. Nursing internship/externship will require some clinical experience from school. Every hospital is different, so I would contact the hospitals your interested in for more information.

mirandaaa · Jun 23, 2015

I'm currently applying/interviewing for internship/externship myself, I obtained a cna license after completing fundamentals of nursing. All i had to do was fill out an application, submit official transcripts and pass a background check. Check with the board of nursing in your state to see if they different option for nursing students to obtain a cna license.

Stole what I was gonna say!

Most states only require you to complete your first semester of nursing school and/or Fundamentals of Nursing and then you are qualified to receive your CNA license.

mariarose · Jun 23, 2015

I am applying for internship/externship around in the winter when I completed first semester of nursing school. But I am wondering if it's essential to be certified in CNA to be part of an internship/externship program. Can the program consider my clinical experience in my college instead?

johsonmichelle · Jun 23, 2015

I am applying for internship/externship around in the winter when I completed first semester of nursing school. But I am wondering if it's essential to be certified in CNA to be part of an internship/externship program. Can the program consider my clinical experience in my college instead?

Like I said, you would have to contact the hospital and see if a cna license is required. In my state a cna license is required for the internship/externship. If a cna license is required for the hospitals you applying to then you must attain the license, there is no way around that.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2015

Why not just get it after completing the fundamentals course. In my area, they don't accept students until they have completed their first year. You may be applying a little early.

You are however, going to have to contact the hospital. None of us on the internet can answer this question as we have no idea what hospital you are applying to and we don't run this program.

But certified nursing aide means certified. It's in the title. And no nursing school clinical hours do not count toward the certified part of CNA. You will need to pass a state exam and become certified through the BON. That's all part of it and yes, you have to complete that.