Is it worthwhile to become a CNA before going to nursing school?

iluvgusgus · Feb 28, 2014

I dont think you need CNA experience, that level of pt care has very little to do with actual nursing. You can do it if you want, you may hate it though...or it may help you feel more comfortable in the hospital environment. And I had classmates who were PCAs and who were offered RN jobs at their present employers who later had their offers rescinded because the hospital had budget cuts and hiring freezes and so would not take them, so working in a hospital is also not necessarily having your foot in their door.

NurseDRolle · Mar 1, 2014

Yea it is a great idea. Being a cna really teaches you therapeutic communication in my opinion and experience. You also learn how to do a great assessment.. I have been there and done that so it's worth it if you can handle the nature of the beast (cna work).

Dranger · Mar 1, 2014

It's a good way to burn out. When I was in school I did non healthcare jobs and I am happy I did.

Satori77, ADN · Mar 1, 2014

It depends. I had to take a CNA class. Every school in my are requires it. I'm glad I did though. It was useful, and I enjoyed my experience during clinicals and the little I worked after. But I do know now that nursing homes are not where I want to be. So it can be helpful experience, whether you like it or not. But if your school doesn't require it, it might be a bigger stress taking it. Especially if you can't get financial aid (some programs don't qualify) and you really don't have the money to take it. I think it is a good idea, but it isn't necessary to do well in school.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2014

I did not have any healthcare/CNA experience when I entered my core nursing program, and I soon became sorry I did not. I could not disagree more wholeheartedly with the idea that it "only" covered the beginning of the program "ie bedpans" so it was not worthwhile.

When I was a new Nursing 101 student, beginning clinicals, I watched my classmates that DID have CNA experience confidently assisting patients with ambulation: they could safely get them to bathrooms, could safely get them from a wheelchair to a bed, you name it. Those of us who did not have such a background got to WATCH them do it, and then learn FROM those CNAs! They started out confidently, we were lacking that.

The time it took to learn those CNA tasks could have been better spent; it took us longer to DO those tasks because we had zero experience. It took us forever to turn/position patients and change linens for immobile patients, while the CNAs were done in a flash. And who did you think the patient wanted to assist them? The wide-eyed student who had no clue, or the one who said "oh, no problem, I can help you with that easy!" And then those CNAs were done, and doing the clinical assignment at hand (reviewing labs, whatever) while us Brand New Clueless Students were still struggling with the bedding.

Yes, it's true, that eventually everyone learns these skills, everyone will complete these tasks. I'm only offering that in hindsight, I wish I HAD done it the way most schools now suggest: get a CNA first, then go to nursing school. JMHO.

Dani2389 · Mar 1, 2014

From the majority of nurses I have spoken with I have heard that it helped them tremendously to work as a Nursing Assistant before they went through nursing school. Especially ones that worked in a hospital setting. I think though that any type of CNA experience would be helpful before nursing school.

They told me it helped them gain patient care experience and it helps you to appreciate your CNA's if you were one before becoming an RN.

I myself am working as a CNA before nursing school in a hospital setting so that I can get some experience. I admire people who can just jump right into nursing school. I just felt like it would help me before I do so.

naturallynicole · Mar 1, 2014

Being a CNA at a hospital, I am 100% positive it is helpful. There is so much to learn from being a CNA besides the bedpans. You learn patient interaction and usually nurses will show you how to do things that will be helpful in Nursing school. I couldn't imagine going into Nursing school not having any of the background knowledge that I have now. I hear it all the time from nurses that being a CNA helped tremendously, and therefore it helped others in the class as well because they had a peer know what they're doing. Patient interaction and the experience you gain from that alone is worth it!!!! Good luck!

BigRed86 · Mar 2, 2014

I would absolutely recommend either getting your CNA or, if you are able to, challenge the CNA boards after your first semester to obtain a CNA license. I was required to have my CNA license for acceptance to the nursing program. I obtained a CNA job in a rehabilitation and traumatic brain injury hospital (LTAC) and worked there for 8 months before obtain a job as an ER tech.

Getting a hospital CNA job without CNA experience may be challenging, even if you are in nursing school. Hospitals want experienced applicants whether they be CNA's or RN's. Even obtaining the ER tech position was not easy. I volunteered in the ER for about 4 months before they offered me a position. I will continue with this ER tech position for the 1.5 years I have left of nursing school.

Overall, both the LTAC CNA and ER tech positions provide me an "experience knowledge base" from which I reference often, especially when taking these weekly nursing tests. Every shift I work I always learn something new. I assist with nearly every procedure. I've watched literally 100's of procedures and after awhile things start to click and you understand 'why' specific interventions are done. Beyond learning by watching, I've made many connections that will greatly assist me in meeting my career goals.

You said you'd only have your CNA for 6 months, but I'm sure you can recoup your financial investment in that time. You will also have 2 years of nursing school in which you will be unlicensed. I'd highly recommend working at least PRN during this time. Working as a CNA in an acute care setting will help develop and refine your critical thinking skills. You will also encounter a myriad of professionals to network from (these can be great sources of reference letters). Your CNA experience may very well land you an RN job after school. And as previously mentioned, you will become proficient in the patient interaction department. I'd say go for it.

sdaggy1 · Mar 7, 2014

In my opinion, every nursing student should be required to work as an cna before being accepted into a nursing program. I just graduated nursing school and have been a cna since 2010. I will say the experience I gained by working as an aide did help me with nursing foundations 1 & 2 as I ended up with the highest grade in my class. A lot of the info that we covered in foundations was tasks I already done as an aide. (Not everything, but it did help) Also, if a nurse has been an aide before becoming a nurse, he/she will understand how important aides are to them and will jump in and help when needed. As an aide, I can always tell if the unit nurse was an aide before or not without asking:) I am not saying anything bad about those who did not work as aide before, but it does make a difference on the floor. All staff are there for one reason and that's the patient, making sure the patient is taken care of and having a team that works together, provides a better environment for both the staff and the patients. Also, if you decide to do the Cna ahead of time, you will feel more comfortable when you start clinical. Any experience is better than no experience. Good luck to you!

Krista_15 · Mar 7, 2014

I deliberated the same thing before enrolling in school,

I am currently a Medical Assistant attending nursing school.

I really have to say that there isn't a day that I attend class

that I am not thankful that I went to MA school first.

It really gives you a "leg up" or a "jump start" because let me say,

nursing school Isn't exactly an easy task. However, a CNA certification

can't be compared as far as academics, but It will potentially help with

getting a job when you graduate because you won't be completely "green"

when you graduate.

Hope this helped!

FlowerChild2005 · Mar 7, 2014

We had a Cna at work getting ready to start nursing school.After a year as a Cna she changed her mind about becoming a nurse.I think being a Cna before becoming a nurse is a good experience.Especially from a hospital setting.You learn basic care and get comfortable with patients and interacting with their families but you learn about the different equipment that is used and you also get to watch the nurses cath pts or NG tubes and that kind of thing.

tkg123 · Mar 8, 2014

Getting your CNA and working as one are two different things. Working as a CNA first gives you empathy and compassion for the Aides you will be working with. You will not hesitate to jump in and help them and your working relationships will be all the better. I know too many nurses that feel an entitlement and will not assist patients with fresh water, toileting, etc. I also know nurses who are less comfortable with patient care because they haven't seen people at their most vulnerable before they start working. Clinicals in school only go so far.