Mandatory CNA!!!!

[henryswife]

Ok Im sure quite a few new recruits and some seasoned nurses(I like that!!!)...had to take mandatory classes to become a CNA just to be considered in the nursing programs at several colleges.Question of the day is ...WHY?..Why is it mandatory to have your CNAI/CNAII just to apply for nursing school?

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

I have no desire to see future nurses having to take CNA coursework as a prerequisite. The burden of required prenursing school courses is too great already!

On the other hand, I can personally recommend it. I gained a lot from having taking the coursework for CNA and having been a CNA for x number of years.

Now that our hospital will be lowering the patient to nurse ratio I can honestly say I am thankful for having been a CNA in order to handle situations by myself rather than call on a CNA who may have upwards of 15 patients.

Our hospital hires RN students to be care partners without having completed coursework for CNA. Most of these students are inadequate, having to be taught skills, ie emptying colostomy bags, removing urine from foley tubing for a lab study and peri care. A CNA's skillset cannot be fully covered during one semester of nursing school in my opinion.