Is anyone else required to get STNA certification before beginning BSN?

[lumosnox]

A new requirement for the Fall 2012 class is that we all have to have an STNA certification.

Is this normal?

I was kind of miffed about it for awhile, because it's a lot of time and money for something that we don't really need. Now I'm warming up to it a little, because it will enable us to get PCA jobs earlier, which seem important for securing an RN job you want after graduation.

What are your thoughts on this?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

It's becoming more and more common. One reason, a big one, is that students get the feel for how to work with patients (proper turning, moving, cleaning, etc) without the school having to teach the most basic fundamentals of patient care. They don't need to spend time on bedbaths if you've been there, done that.

Another reason is to eliminate those students who don't really care to touch a patient, and think that pct/tech care is "beneath" them. Gets rid of the prima donnas fast.

[somedaypeds]

I think all programs should require it. It is the fundamentals of nursing. It also lets you know what is expected from a nursing assistant, because as an RN, you may be supervising one someday.

[shay&lynn, ASN, RN]

It's becoming more and more common. One reason, a big one, is that students get the feel for how to work with patients (proper turning, moving, cleaning, etc) without the school having to teach the most basic fundamentals of patient care. They don't need to spend time on bedbaths if you've been there, done that.

Another reason is to eliminate those students who don't really care to touch a patient, and think that pct/tech care is "beneath" them. Gets rid of the prima donnas fast.

very well put! our college is just starting this for the incoming Fall of 12 RN students.

reason? they want students to come in knowing the basics, as stated above, ambulating, bathing, feeding, etc...] this way they can spend more time on things such as physical assessment, sterile tech, iv initiation, etc.

i myself am an stna and have found it very helpful, you get that one on one as well as learn the basics...its good so that you don't have that 'initial shock' when you go to clinicals the first few times...which can be a big problem for most students.

[Brannray]

Where I'm in school, it's not required to get the certification, but the class is a requirement. I think it's a good thing too, because you get a good feel of what the CNA's have to do every day. There are a lot of RN's that feel that all the CNA's aren't as good as they are, so maybe this will help them to feel like they are actually people too and understand a bit more! I actually just took my certification test day before yesterday *May 8th*