Need advice concerning accelerated bsn pre-reqs

[jbjorn2b]

Hi, I am 27, married with a little on and Male. After serious thought, and discussion with many trusted individuals, I have made a decision to quit my job, and go back to school for nursing. I have a B.S. in Business, graduated in 2005, realized that after taking some stock in my life, that I may want to become a nurse. After shadowing in Peds and Outpatient surgury, speaking with friends who are nurses and who have made the career change, I have decided this is a good move. However, it will take me about 8 months (This summer till Spring 2009) to complete all the pre-reqs for an accelerated program. I am considering becoming a CNA over the summer so that I can work part time during the fall and spring to gain experience which will look good on my application as well as pick up a few extra dollars. Is the CNA route worth it? I am not planning on working at all during an accelerated program (this is all assuming I get accepted into one).

What does everyone think? Should I bypass the CNA route or become certified? Is it worth the time and effort for the money and the added benefit to my acccelerated program application?

:)

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

Accelerated BSN here and I've replied to prior posts of yours. My opinion? Having been a CNA for many years before I became an RN (worked my way through college the first time as a CNA) I think it is extraordinarily helpful. I felt like my CNA years gave me a huge step up on bedside realities and it was one less set of skills I had to learn through the accelerated program. Also, many of my fellow accelerated students had never done any kind of hands on care and were very much shell shocked by what nursing entails. Those of us who had been CNAs knew the drill for the basics.

It can't hurt.

Best wishes!

[Galore]

I'm almost done with my accelerated BSN and like you had no previous healthcare experience. I think the students who had been CNAs before were much more confident than the rest of us in the first semester, but those skills can be learned pretty quickly and it doesn't take long to catch up in terms of confidence. If you have the time and money it certainly wouldn't hurt, and I think it will help when you start applying for jobs.

[chestnut]

Hi everyone,

I decided to join this forum because I needed advice on the accelerated nursing program. right now, I am a healthcare managemen major and I will be graduating in May. My goal is to enter nursing accelerated program by fall 2008. Does anyone know which school might be best for me to apply?

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

I think that becoming a CNA is helpful but not necessary. I was neither a CNA nor a nurse intern before I became an RN. The learning curve was steeper, but I made it :)

By the way, I also did an accelerated BSN program, and overall I was happy with the education I received.