Nurses req. to be CNA's before becoming a Nurse?

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

I think ultimately this is where most nursing schools are headed, for precisely this reason. When I went through school (two year degree), they required that you have your NA but it didn't matter how you attained it. I studied for the test, took it, and passed. I did not take any classes, etc. Now, most schools require that you not only have your NA but you take it through an appropriate school so you can have those clinical hours already under your belt before you hit the hospital floor as a nursing student.

I did fine, but I will say that those students that were in my class that were either working as NAs or had gone through the courses - definitely had one up on me.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

No. I was 18 when I entered nursing school, as were all of my classmates. (Traditional BSN program.) Working as a CNA tells you absolutely nothing about what being a nurse will be like. Sure it will expose you to vomit and poo but adversity to vomit and poo doesn't mean that one cannot be a nurse. There are specialties where you don't encounter either on a regular basis.

2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

I haven't had any cna experience and honestly dont want any. Its my personal opinion that being a cna is a very underpaid, VERY unappreciated profession. I wouldn't trade the path i took for anything.

mrsboots87 · Feb 21, 2015

No. I was 18 when I entered nursing school, as were all of my classmates. (Traditional BSN program.) Working as a CNA tells you absolutely nothing about what being a nurse will be like. Sure it will expose you to vomit and poo but adversity to vomit and poo doesn't mean that one cannot be a nurse. There are specialties where you don't encounter either on a regular basis.

I beg to differ. Being a CNA will not get you hands on nursing experience, but it will expose you to the nursing environment and get you used to working with patients. Also, you will see nurses and all they do as they run around trying to complete their never ending tasks. You will see the disease processes in person that you learn about in school. You will see how each profession collaborates to help the patient. There is a lot more to be learned from being a CNA then just how to clean poo and vomit.

2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

I beg to differ. Being a CNA will not get you hands on nursing experience, but it will expose you to the nursing environment and get you used to working with patients. Also, you will see nurses and all they do as they run around trying to complete their never ending tasks. You will see the disease processes in person that you learn about in school. You will see how each profession collaborates to help the patient. There is a lot more to be learned from being a CNA then just how to clean poo and vomit.

That is a good point..

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

CNA experience prior to nursing school is very helpful, but unnecessary IMHO.

I hear people continually parrot that the best nurses once worked as CNAs, yet I know a number of former CNAs who, once they received their nursing licensure, made every effort to avoid answering call lights, slinging bed pans or emptying urinals.

MissMandy28 · Feb 21, 2015

I think it's a good idea I am a Medical Assistant and applying for the RN program next year. The college I'm going to require's a NA certificate as part of the pre-reqs my course starts next week which the hospital I work for runs. The reason I think it's a good idea is you get exposure to not only the "gross stuff" but it also exposes you to basic bedside skills that are needed to be an RN and saves class time. You also get a "feel" for the type of environment you're going to work in so you're not just thrown in on your first day of clinical's not knowing what to expect.

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2015

I agree with Commuter in that it is helpful but not necessary. What I believe is that when you learn and practice skills called "nursing fundamentals" it should be stressed that these things are part of a unified concept of care, regardless of the division of labor one might encounter eventually on the job. I have noticed a trend from some programs (as reported by students) that they feel the basics will most likely be delegated anyway and barely teach those skills at all. Programs that take that attitude I think do a disservice to their students and their future patients.

You only need to work in an area of nursing like critical care or private duty with someone who was not taught those skills to see what happens when it is done incorrectly.

I can certainly see why from a financial viewpoint schools would prefer these things be learned but paid for by the student. It seems to fit the general direction higher education is headed across the board.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

I beg to differ. Being a CNA will not get you hands on nursing experience, but it will expose you to the nursing environment and get you used to working with patients. Also, you will see nurses and all they do as they run around trying to complete their never ending tasks. You will see the disease processes in person that you learn about in school. You will see how each profession collaborates to help the patient. There is a lot more to be learned from being a CNA then just how to clean poo and vomit.

All working as an aide did for me was reinforce that I never, ever want to work with adults. I almost never knew why the patient was there and since I was per diem, a good 50% of the time I was relegated to be a sitter. And there were honestly shifts when I sat with a patient and never saw the nurse the entire shift. I also worked eves so I never saw any other profession. After almost 8 years as a nurse, I can honestly say that working as an aide didn't help me in any way. If you can get a job as an aide on a floor you want to be a nurse on, it will help you there but other than that, no. For me, I was hired on the floor I did my senior practicum on and they (pediatric neuro) cared not that I'd been an aide on an adult med/surg floor.

Bbett, MSN, NP · Feb 21, 2015

Being a CNA is what paid for my nursing school can't beat getting a job making 14/hr without any experience/schooling. I believe it has helped me in nursing school tremendously.

ERGirl83 · Feb 21, 2015

I hated it when I had to do it, but I think there is tremendous value in it. Not only does it expose potential students to the healthcare environment, patient populations, and "ick factor," but I think it helps people remember "where they come from," so to speak, and graduates nurses who aren't "too good" to help mitigate a code brown on occasion. CNA's are great helps for nurses, but too many nurses think their existence means we should never have to participate in some of the more unsavory nursing tasks. Having had experience as a CNA lets the new RN know that her team member is busy as well, and could use a helping hand here or there. My nursing school didn't require CNA for admission, but we did have to complete 4 clinical rotations with CNA's at an LTC facility. I didn't fully appreciate just how busy those CNA's were until that time. At the time I was angry to be "wasting" my nursing education with a CNA, but it really opened my eyes. I think I learned more at that particular facility from the CNA's than the RN/LPN's.