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

pinkiepinkPN · Mar 8, 2014

I'm planning on applying to get into nursing school for Winter 2015. I don't have any kind of medical background and am debating getting my CNA to gain a little experience while I finish up my last couple prereqs (Phys and micro). Is it worthwhile to get my CNA before going into nursing school? My school doesn't require it but all the others in the area do. I would only have my CNA for maybe 6 months before I'd start nursing school (assuming I get in). Thanks for your insight!

I am an LPN and now in the AAS program. I was a CNA prior to nursing school and while my university does not require it, you do get higher consideration if you've been a CNA. Also, part of your initial lab activity in nursing school will be stuff CNAs typically do (but of course are all ultimately nursing responsibilities) like transferring, peri care, bed baths, etc. if you've already been a CNA you'll be ahead of the game. You'll also have a good basic vocabulary/knowledge based on your observation of nursing staff. And the truth is that a large percentage of nurses, whether LPN or RN, will get their start in long term care facilities. If you've been a CNA (or even just have your cert but haven't worked as one) then you'll be more likely to get hired.

On a more practical note...if you are a CNA first, when you become a nurse, you will have a greater appreciation for the work your CNAs do and be more likely to lend them a hand when you can, earning their respect. No nurse is more important or better than a CNA and vice versa. You are BOTH vital parts of a team. When I'm at work and have time I jump in and help haul people in the hoyers or change briefs or pass meal trays. In return, my aides do what I ask in a timely manner. I've seen nurses who were never aides be all bossy any snippy with aides, and the aides can't stand them and don't make it a priority to please them. Which is unfortunate because then the patients suffer.

So all that to say, I cat speak highly enough about the benefits if being a CNA prior to nursing school.

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pinkiepinkPN · Mar 8, 2014

I'm not sure where you live but if you are in the New York area the answer is YES! Hospitals no longer hire LPN's and if you are a nurse with your associates you better already be a hospital employee or you will have to move out of the state to get a job. With a BSN you have a better chance but these places like to hire from within. It may also help you with certain nursing skills. Trust me you want to at least have your foot in the door somewhere and have some clinical experience before you graduate.

I live in a large city with three big hospitals. They ALL staff a big percentage of LPNs

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pinkiepinkPN · Mar 8, 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.[/quote']
Umm, no. "That level of patient care" has EVERYTHING to do with nursing. Anything a CNA does is ultimately the nurse's responsibility. If a patient suffers injury, dehydration, pressure ulcers, etc, that are a result of deficient care on the part of the CNA, it is a direct reflection on the level of delegation/supervision the nurse is providing, and as a nurse your license can actually be in jeopardy if it is found you did not adequately supervise the care your CNAs provide. I have seen it happen.
So this is another benefit to being a CNA first- you are better in tune with what to watch out for with the aides working with you in the way if evidence that they are doing their job or not.
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Charlie Don't Surf · Mar 8, 2014

My pre-admissions requirements are to pass the CNA 1 course and or have an active listing on the NA 1 registry. Recently we were told to expect $8-$8.50 per hour average pay for the area as an NA 1, So most of the class scoffed (myself included) at performing those tasks, and those responsibilites for McPay. Not going to happen...since zero preference is given to CNA 1/2 in our admission consideration/competitive ranking.

However, the RN-MSN That is teaching the course highly recommends working as a CNA to start to get a feel, in a real setting of medical culture in a hospital or LTC facility. Probably not bad advice, while I'm not enthusiastic about the 'compensation' I'm happy to get into the mix and see things first hand-

sjalv · 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.

A person should not have to had worked as a CNA in order to have empathy for what they do. It's like saying a waitress who has never worked as a bus-girl will not understand the importance of the bus-girl's job. How many CNAs do we know that go to RN school just to "escape CNA work", ending up with a similar mindset as the nursing students who were never CNAs that avoid doing "CNA work"? Being a CNA gives you experience with patient care, but any decent person will recognize that the NURSE aides are essential to the productivity of the NURSE herself.

iluvgusgus · Mar 21, 2014

PinkiePinkPN did you attend nursing school and are you a RN? Because CNA tasks are very basic, anyone can do them, so yes I stand by what I said, it has little to do with what you learn in nursing school. Yes, turning pts is important but it takes 2 minutes every 2 hours of the day, while nursing tasks and critically thinking and coordinating care, etc takes up most of the day. And I agree with other posters that said you will be burnt out.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

PinkiePinkPN did you attend nursing school and are you a RN? Because CNA tasks are very basic anyone can do them, so yes I stand by what I said, it has little to do with what you learn in nursing school. Yes, turning pts is important but it takes 2 minutes every 2 hours of the day, while nursing tasks and critically thinking and coordinating care, etc takes up most of the day. And I agree with other posters that said you will be burnt out.[/quote']
No. No. No.
Been a CNA in nursing school full time work, full time school. It's not just turning pts and it's not easy.
My transition to RN has been so much easier because of my time as a CNA. Comfort with pts, nurses, Drs, time management and much more was much easier because of this. It can only help if you take opportunities when they are afforded to you.

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

I think it's a great idea! I recommend it if you have the time! I entered nursing school coming from another career and time did not permit me to do this...or else I would have done it! lol

AngPartridge3 · Mar 22, 2014

I have been a cna for 5 years, got into home health when i decided to go back to school, and i will have ro do a basic nursing skills class anyway. For my particular program. If you want to get it to gain a little experience, go for it! If its just to look applicable, you may end up doing skills twice so dont do it just ti have that title under your name haha. But i say go for it. It will give you advantage in some degree where some students come from no medical backgeound at all,

AngPartridge3 · Mar 22, 2014

Excuse all my typos haha