MA really needs to get CNA cert. to start nursing school?

MA_Davis · May 25, 2012

That's wierd that you would even have to have CNA to get into RN I thought anyone can take RN as long as you do your prerequisites and general ed classes.. I am a MA as well and looking to become a RN. But I live in California and out here as a MA we are not that limited to what we can do but it still doesn't count towards if I want to get my RN...But I don't know why it would be required to have CNA? Did you double check that?

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Kdrenee · May 26, 2012

Alot of schools are requiring CNA certification as a pre requisite in the south now. The first semester of rn school is basically what you learn in CNA class.. That is why they are doing that, but as for getting out of taking the class I don't think you will find a way to do that. The only way you can take the test without taking the class is if you are in your fist semester of rn school, but you need it as a pre req. MAs and CNAs do very different things too btw.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 26, 2012

i have more [color=#a52a2a]medical training than a cna, so i dont understand why i cant just take the certification test.

the ma is part of the medical model of care provision.

the cna is a part of the nursing model of care provision.

the medical model is drastically different than the nursing model, and working as a cna will get you accustomed to the nursing model of care. in addition, when i completed a ma program 12 years ago, i do not recall learning cna tasks such as using mechanical lifts, transferring patients, bed baths, bed making, incontinent care, feeding, toileting, positioning, and so forth.

you might feel that you learned a whole lot while training to become a ma, but the cna certification will come in handy. after all, you don't know what you don't know. there's always something new to learn. good luck to you!

MA_Davis · May 26, 2012

That makes since....a MA works under a Physician's liscense and a CNA wors under a Nurses liscense. So I guess it would make sense to get the CNA before you get into nursing...which is kind of convenient to because you can get a job in CNA and get the experience while your off to nursing school....hmmm

northernguy · May 26, 2012

I think Nursing schools are requiring people have their CNA for two reasons. Number one because they have an overabundance of applicants, so they can afford to be selective and if people are already trained as a CNA, they can spend more time on RN skills instead of wasting classroom time.

Second reason is I think a lot of people have unrealistic expectations of nursing, and are getting into the field for the wrong reasons. People just look at the pay and job security or see hospital shows on TV. The reality is far different from what people expect. If someone has worked as an aide, they know what to expect, and have already done most of the backbreaking unpleasant nursing tasks. Having students be CNAs first ensures you have students willing and able to do the job in addition to being academically qualified. At least this is how it was explained to me.

Ive seen Nursing students from two different schools where I work. One school required they be CNAs and the other didnt. The students from the school that required it seemed a lot more prepared and relaxed during clinicals than the one that didnt. Now both schools require new students have their CNA.

As for why they dont accept MA instead of CNA, I can only assume thats because MAs are trained more for Doctors offices and clinics while CNAs more for long term and acute care.