Is it better to become a CNA first?

[luna357]

I've applied to 2 nursing schools and got rejected by

both. I have a Bachelor's degree in biology but have

been working as a waitress for the last 6 years.

I took a few brush up classes at local community college

and got all A's.

I was wondering if i should take the 6 week CNA course

and start there, maybe that will give me an advantage when I rea-apply.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I only know of one school in the Chicago area that require CNA prior to application--Oakton College, but that is only out of the seven that I have looked at. I don't know about any of the suburban nursing schools.

I was surprised to read that all nursing schools in Illinois required CNA classes first. I thought this was just a rare occurance. I only graduated 9 years ago in CA and we don't have CNA requirements anywhere locally.

So, if you don't learn primary patient care when you first start nursing school, what do you learn? How do you learn to assess? Seems weird to me. Guess, even at 9 years ago, I'm "old school".

steph

[romie]

Stevielynn, the posters on this thread are misinformed about Illinois nursing school admission requirements. As I stated in my previous postings, I know of only one school that requires the CNA. I was accepted into UIC and they DO NOT require the CNA. The following is a list of programs in Chicago that do not require CNA: Rush University, UIC, DePaul, North Park University, Chicago Community Colleges, Loyola, St. Xaiver, and the list goes on. So to correct your mistaken view, the MAJOR Illinois nursing schools, with a few exceptions, do not require you to be a CNA first.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Stevielynn, the posters on this thread are misinformed about Illinois nursing school admission requirements. As I stated in my previous postings, I know of only one school that requires the CNA. I was accepted into UIC and they DO NOT require the CNA. The following is a list of programs in Chicago that do not require CNA: Rush University, UIC, DePaul, North Park University, Chicago Community Colleges, Loyola, St. Xaiver, and the list goes on. So to correct your mistaken view, Illinois nursing schools, with a few exceptions, do not require you to be a CNA first.

No, I understood what you were saying . . I just wasn't clear that I was understanding it.

Thanks!

steph

[Jannah03]

Go for the CNA! Most schools now these days want the students to take the CNA class BEFORE getting into the program.

[gr8nurse, ADN, RN]

My first year in nursing school there were only 3 CNA's. By the second year all three had flunked out. Maybe it was simply personality flaws, but all three acted like they already knew all there was to know about nursing because they had seen or done this or that. Personally I wasn't CNA before entering our nursing program. Yes, you did 2 extra points towards hopefullt being admitted if you had it, but there were over 500 applicants, 47 got in, and I'm sure more than 3 were already CNAs. I agree with stevielynn's comment: "As to whether being a CNA first makes you more of a team player, I've seen it both ways. I think it comes down to are you a team player because of the kind of person you are. Taking the CNA class won't guarantee that." Abosolutely true. During clinicals with the 3 in my class, neither would help you with anything....even pulling a patient up in bed. Funny thing - I'm now an RN and they just re0entered their first year of nursing school. Sounds a bit cold I know, but so were they. On serious note....I'd help them anytime in the clinical setting (unfortunately they just decided to keep nursing students out of the ER). Guess I just have a soft heart and a case of "I know how you feel."

[alabama]

Does anyone know of CNA courses in Atlanta or anywhere in Alabama? Thanks!!!!

[MedSurgRNiowa]

Those that are not sure if they should become a nurse should become a CNA first. I just had a girl tell me yesterday that she hated every minute of her CNA clinicals. She did not like moving pt.'s, cleaning up various body fluid's and she hurt all over every night when she went home. I am sorry but that is not the nurse I want when I am in the hospital, in home health or anywhere. There will be times, as a nurse mentioned above, that a CNA will not be available. I loved being a CNA but long to be a nurse. I am a big advocate of being a CNA first....there have been too many drop out of nursing after taking that course, realizing that type of setting is not for them.