Not a CNA or EMT....can i still be a good nurse?

LMRN10 · Jun 25, 2007

I am neither of those and don't plan on being either of those! No, that is not the case...you can go to Nursing School and do just fine without being either of those professions. There may be perks to it, but not necessary by any means and when it comes down to it, all that matters is how YOU do and how you comprehend the information...good luck!

stpauligirl · Jun 25, 2007

Hello all....I keep thinking that becasue im not a CNA or im not an EMT that i will not do good in nursing school or be a good nurse when im out.
For some reason im thinking that i have to be a CNA first..i dotn know why. I do work in a nursing home but not as a CNA. I order and stock all of the medical supplies, i do some transporting, & i do some medical billing. But i feel like i should be a CNA or EMT before i enter nursing school. Is this true?

I am currently taking a crashcourse class which will help me in the nursing program down the line....the instructor is a clinical instructor who told us that having experience in the medical field doesn't mean that those people do any better in nursing school compared to the ones whithout prior experience. Some may even have a chip on their shoulder and an attitude and not do as well as someone who has never dealt with the medical field before. So don't worry, you will be fine. I had an EMT in my A&P class and he dropped, didn't want to study and do the work, said it was too much and he wasn't gonna put up with the teacher's demands....oh well, I did well and aced that class, got accepted to nursing school without prior experience and I am looking forward to start in August and this guy was never seen of or heard of again. Good luck and take things at your pace

midcom · Jun 25, 2007

About 2/3 of my nursing class were either CNAs or medics (Navy) and they had a definate advantage over the rest of us. It's not that they are smarter but are so much more comfortable working with the patients, moving them, basic cares, it all comes naturally for them. I am in a LPN program, 3/4 done & even now you can tell the difference between the "professionals" & the ones who had no patient care experience. We also have a few former CMAs and they tend to act like they know it all. LOL

I am a very good student in class but really struggle with the simplest of cares, things like transfering, dressing, positioning, bathing. Nursing procedures, I do fine with, it's just the stuff CNAs usually do that trip me up. If I had it to do over again, I'd have taken a class to be a CNA, worked 3-6 months & then started nursing school.

Dixie

Smartferret · Jun 25, 2007

My DH went from karate school owner to RN. Can't get much further from heathcare experience than that! He is now a wonderful nurse specializing in oncology. He is one of the reasons I want to be a nurse. As one poster said, prior healthcare experience may make one more comfortable interacting with patients, but that is not something you can't learn. My DH graduated 2nd in his class. I'm sure he was ahead of others that were either CNA's or EMT's. I don't think you need to worry about this.

M

st4wb3rr33sh0rtc4k3 · Jun 25, 2007

You definately don't have to be a CNA before you are a nurse. I worked as a PCA way before I became a nurse and decided to dibble and dabble into other things, before I started the nursing program at my college. I worked with many people and learned basic office skills during my previous work experience. It helped in certain ways with my nursing career. Everyone brings something different to the table.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jun 25, 2007

I went from being a long distance operator for the phone company, to being a nurse. Imagine 20 years of only talking to people on the phone and then boom, I'm putting foleys in, and giving enemas.

It helps to have up close and personal experience working with people but you can do just fine without it.

I love being a nurse, wish I had done it years ago.

DesertRain · Jun 25, 2007

I am a CNA and I think you can still be a good nurse without it. My mom is an excellent nurse and she had no healthcare experience prior. She didn't think I needed to take the CNA course. I know it will help me but I don't think it is a determining factor to whether or not it makes you a good nurse. Sure you probably have an advantage when it comes to those first few clinicals and you have direct PT care but in the long run when you have been an RN for 20 years, if you only took a CNA course to give yourself a head start, or only worked as a CNA for a few short months...I would guess that at that point whether you were anything beforehand will not reflect on your work habits at that point, you know what I mean? Be strong and believe in yourself and if you put effort into it and love what you do, it will pay off regardless! Good luck!

miss arron · Jun 25, 2007

i am not a cna or an emt and i plan on being an outstanding nurse!

i'm sure you will be too :nurse:

mshep12 · Jun 25, 2007

Gannon, I agree with most of the other people who have replied. Sure, being a CNA might for some people help them decide whether or not they can handle nursing. But if you're sure this is what you want to do, get right in! Heck, some med students aren't even 'pre-med' in undergrad and they go on to become doctors. I say go for it.

Gannon1qb · Jun 25, 2007

Thank you to everybody who responded. I DEFENETLY (dont think i spelled that right) feel better. And i think it will be ok too because i do have a Bachelors in Psy, which is dealing with people, and i work in a nursing home...and even though im not a CNA, i still transport patients, and interact with them. I just have OCD and worry about every little thing. Its not neccesarily (dont think i spelled that right either) a bad thing, my OCD had helped me study and get amazing grades.

Ok, thank you again everybody. Now i have to go to my Organic Bio Chem class from 6-10pm. In case you were wondering...it is horrible. Thanks again. Good luck to all. God Bless. :)

CRNA2BKY · Jun 25, 2007

Hello all....I keep thinking that becasue im not a CNA or im not an EMT that i will not do good in nursing school or be a good nurse when im out.
For some reason im thinking that i have to be a CNA first..i dotn know why. I do work in a nursing home but not as a CNA. I order and stock all of the medical supplies, i do some transporting, & i do some medical billing. But i feel like i should be a CNA or EMT before i enter nursing school. Is this true?

I have no idea why you think this, but nothing could be further than the truth than that. There are 23 students in my ABSN class, and only 1 student is an EMT, and none are CNA's. So, you absolutely DO NOT need any prior medical expereince before going to nursing school. They will teach you everything you need to know in nursing school.