Is being a CNA imperative?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Oct 28, 2015

CNA is useful in establishing a relationship with an employer, if you would like to end up working in the same facility that you worked in. It will provide you experience with juggling patients and helping with ADLs.

But it's not absolutely necessary. If you find a better paying job, I would personally do that. FWIW, your CNA experience will not count as nursing experience when you graduate.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2015

Not imperative, but it can be helpful.

verene, MSN · Oct 28, 2015

CNA experience is useful from a networking perspective and can help you feel comfortable interacting with patients and families. I do not think it is mandatory however, as other healthcare experience would also provide networking and patient interaction.

I think figure out what you most need from a job at this point - if it is networking/experience then being a CNA is probably worthwhile. If you really need income, or you already have skills that make you highly marketable in another field with out additional training, then something else might be a better fit.

SleeepyRN · Oct 28, 2015

I thank my lucky stars that I was a CNA 1st. Before I started nursing school, I wished I had gone for phlebotomy instead

Once I actually started nursing classes and was working as a patient care tech in a hospital, I was SO glad I went the CNA route

It won't count as nursing experience, but it DOES look good on a resume as a new grad. The connections you could make....

On a personal level, it will help put things into perspective for you once you are a nurse and managing CNAs. It will also give you a better perspective on healthcare as a whole. For me, it was invaluable experience that I am very grateful for.

And no, you do not need to take phlebotomy. Even if you ended up with a job in a hospital, the hospital teaches you how to draw blood and do EKGs.

mtjoanna · Oct 28, 2015

If you do take the higher-paying non-CNA position, it would be a good idea to ask to orient with the CNAs at whatever facility you end up working in so that you have a better idea of their work-load. When I was working as an aid, I could tell which nurses had realistic expectations of me and which had never, ever considered what their orders actually meant to us.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2015

Working as a CNA prior to and/or during nursing school is unnecessary, but helpful. During your CNA role, you could build connections that will lead to your first RN job.

However, I've never been certified as a CNA and have had a decent career as a licensed nurse. I probably would've considered another career if I'd first worked as a CNA.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Oct 28, 2015

Also, you should be aware that the only places that specifically require nursing assistants to be certified are generally nursing homes.

Before becoming a nurse, I worked for years as a nursing assistant in a hospital, and I have never been a CNA. Hospitals provide on-the-job training for these sorts of roles.

As for it being helpful for getting a job once licensed as a nurse, yes, it can be immensely helpful. Hospital floors often hire first from their pool of techs/aides who have recently graduated from nursing school. After all, they're familiar with the unit and have shown their work ethic through their actions.

As for being a CNA in a nursing home in order to guarantee a spot as a nurse there once graduated....not really necessary. To be perfectly frank, all a nurse needs to secure a job in LTC is an unencumbered license and a pulse.

allnurses Guide · Oct 28, 2015

This question comes up regularly so I hesitate to share my same old story.

I entered nursing school with no prior medical history. My mentor advised me NOT to take the CNA class as I'd learn all that a CNA knows in the first 6 weeks or so of nursing school. I didn't want to work during school as well.

I'm glad I took her advise.

Everyone is different though. Some good answers here.

Ayvah, RN · Oct 29, 2015

Most hospitals will let you become a nursing assistant (health care tech/et) after you've completed your first semester of nursing school, so no additional classes are needed. You could always work the higher paying job and do a 0 hour/PRN health care tech job.

Doing this job not only helps smooth the way to being a better RN (gets you comfortable working with patients, teaches you tricks/tips for things like transferring patients, etc) but also helps get your foot in the door so you can apply as an internal candidate for a RN job which is a huge plus.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2015

I feel like more and more nursing programs are requiring the CNA as a prereq for admission.

I did a self study and took the test, and never worked. I just had the title. :)

I do think it would have helped in some ways though - the CNAs who work in the hospital have that edge against other new grads because their foot is essentially already in the door. They know management, and have people that can speak towards their work ethic. That goes a long way.

Also, I think I would have had less fear on that first day of clinical had I touched a patient before. :)

Libby1987 · Oct 29, 2015

It was a long time ago and I was a nurse extern, not a CNA. I think it helped expose me to the hospital environment more so than clinicals ever could and I learned how to juggle patients. As well as a PP said, I wasn't afraid to touch patients.

I think being comfortable in the bustle and repeatedly seeing the RNs work helped as a transition.

It was only a piece of the RNs day but it was one piece down that I didn't have to learn when I started as an RN.