Need help getting into accelerated program

[Paracelsus]

I have a few questions. I want to get into an accerlerated BSN progrm for Summer 2009. There are 2 in my city, both are competitive. I have a 3.6 GPA, and another graduate degree with some experience in healthcare but not in hospitals. Should I bother getting a CNA license before I apply in a couple months. I am not sure the CNA will help my chances for admission or not. The problem I am having with taking the CNA class is that it is 1,000 dollars and will eat up a month of time during the day. (when I could have been working). Would I be better off just volunteering in the hospital since the CNA is not a requirement for the school?

[genaluvya, LPN]

I think that you will be better off voluntering, it will take a long time to take the classes and then to sit for the board and to much money will be wasted. If you volunteer you can start immediately and do it for as long as you want. Also by voluntering you can build on networks and even become employed at that same place.

I have my CNA and it took a while getting a job in a facility. If you want you can even become a HHA. Most agencies will pay for you and it takes about two or three weeks. After being employed for 4 months at that agency you can can look for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc that employ HHAs.

[mommy2three2]

I think the volunteering would be helpful as well. Try to get in an area where you will get to see patients (a lot of volunteer positions do not involve any patient contact duties). I ended up in the ER and I love it. I get to help people and also get a chance to talk to the nurses when things are slow. Volunteering is the quickest way to show that you have an ongoing commitment to the health care field which is what these programs will want to see.