Let me start off by saying that this post is not intended to offend/insult anyone! I want to hear peoples opinions and point of views on the matter, so PLEASE, do not have my head.
So, I have been reading quite a few post from nursing students who are now questioning if nursing is for them. Those questions are not based on their grades, its based on their experiences in the clinical sites. Some are grossed out by what they have seen, others claim they didn't think it would be like that, and more than a few don't think they are cut out for It, and do not have the patience to deal with "difficult" patients.
So this is my question; should nurses be required to be a CNA (for at least 3 months) before they enter the field of nursing?
Please remember, this is only a question not a recommendation in anyway. I am really curious because I have seen people spend all that money only to drop out because once exposed to the reality of nursing they find out that its not something they can handle. Also, it would prevent them from wasting their money, and or preventing other prospective students from getting into the program who would really love the nursing profession.
I believe it is certainly helpful to have the background as a CNA but not absolutely necessary. CNA work not only prepares the future nurse with hands on experience in basic skills it also teaches invaluable time management skills. Not being a CNA however doesn't mean one will be a bad nurse.
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.
and while that is certainly true, I can think of one or two specific to that train of thought, the whole "I'm a nurse now not a tech," however I generally find that to be the minority. I whole-heartedly believe former techs typically can make a great nurse because they were the low man on the totem pole, they most likely/hopefully won't abuse those that are assisting them.
w/ that being said it is that specific individual that makes the nurse and if someone chooses to be a lazy piece of excrement that is their sad choice.
Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.
and while that is certainly true, I can think of one or two specific to that train of thought, the whole "I'm a nurse now not a tech," however I generally find that to be the minority. I whole-heartedly believe former techs typically can make a great nurse because they were the low man on the totem pole, they most likely/hopefully won't abuse those that are assisting them.
w/ that being said it is that specific individual that makes the nurse and if someone chooses to be a lazy piece of excrement that is their sad choice.
I'm of the mindset that once a poop, high chance of remaining a poop.
But yes I believe that cna and tech experience is helpful
I don't think it should be required to be a CNA before becoming a Nurse but I think some shadowing experience should be required. Most other health professions require it (PT, PA, etc). Nursing is not all glitter and rainbows that some people believe it to be. Also I think people get into nursing for all the wrong reasons which include:
1. They think nursing is a lottery ticket to instant fortune
2. They think they are beneath cleaning poop, vomit, etc
3. They don't want to deal with rude people (patients, docs, family, other nurses)
4. They don't want to work on holidays and weekends
5. They don't want to deal with the politics of corporate America
etc. etc. etc
The truth is you will encounter these things and you are not going to be filthy rich. You will have to work hard to make a living like everyone else you need to have tough skin to deal with the BS but remain compassionate and empathetic to give the quality care your patients deserve.
People need to get a clear picture of what nursing REALLY is before making that leap then we have to hear another thread of I hate my life, nursing sucks, I wish I would never got into nursing, blah, blah, blah, yaddi yadda yah
I'm of the mindset that once a poop, high chance of remaining a poop...
I whole heartedly agree w/ this sentiment, even if you took the classier way to state it... boo these smileys, my phone has a smiling steaming pile of feces but these ones do not.... ok inserting...
I was a CNA I and CNA II while working through nursing school. It was a huge benefit to me. I was able to see the patho for a lot of systems/disease states in front of me while I was working and relate it to my school work.
Also, I wasn't scared to touch a patient, which a lot of my cohorts were.
And finally, it was easier for me to get a job.
I think it should be required that students have a CNA certification, but then I also think there should be standardized entry level degrees, too.
I've met many more nurses who used to be CNA's who become RN's to escape "CNA duties" than I have fresh RN's who think they are above CNA duties.
I would hope that no one would pursue an education and career to avoid doing the more basic parts of their job description, though I'm sure these people exist. What I have seen is that a CNA going to nursing school knows that they will always have to deal with poop. Yes, there are nursing positions that are not patient care, but everyone has to make it through clinicals and most of the non-patient care LPN/RN jobs require experience in either an acute care or LTC facility which is also going to be hands on, doing patient care plus the more advanced duties of a nurse. I have heard several perspective RN students say to me when when I was completing my RN course pre-requisites with them, "But the aide does all the custodial work. A nurse doesn't have to do that."...oh, were they in for a surprise if they made it into the program. The school that I was at once required a CNA certificate or LPN license as a pre-requisite. They stopped after I had aquired my LPN. The first semester drop rate for the nursing program sky rocketed at that point compaired to when it was required for admission.
Being a CNA prior to entering nursing school gave me the foundation for learning how to establish rapport with patients, and being familiar with the different health care environments.
Was it necessary? Probably not, but it was extremely valuable experience that put me ahead of my nursing cohorts that did not have that experience.
In the long run, I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes, but I will always value my experience as a CNA, and I highly recommend to anyone considering nursing school that they spend some time in the CNA role before investing all that time, energy, and money, only to find out that nursing isn't what you really want to do.
If you really read what you wrote you would see that your examples were more in favor of my argument than against. We must remember that before we can get to that nursing job that does not require "hands-on" patient care, there is something we must all do; PASS THE CLINICALS. Without that it doesn't matter the grades. To graduate from any reputable nursing program it requires that we are both competent in theory and practical alike.
In my experience being a CNA helped my instructor, my classmates and myself. Think about this for a second. There is one instructor with 9 or 10 students. There is no possible way for the instructor to be in each and every one of the students assigned patient's room when needed. I find that it did help to have a bit of exposure to that setting. In fact, our instructors when assigning groups, always placed someone who had some experience working in the field as sort of a team leader, because as I said prior, there is no way for her to be in every place at the same time. Simple task like bed bath, repositioning and using a Hoyer lift were taught in the class, but until they really did it, most were still clueless.
The reality is there are so many things we have to do to get into the program that we may never ever end up using. How many times did we ask our instructors, "why do I need to learn statistics, I will never use it", or "if I am already learning med math why do I need algebra?" I look at all these task as a way to get to my goal; graduating, passing the boards, get a job and to be the type of nurse that my patients will feel is providing exceptional care to them.
What would your advice be to all those nursing students who are posting on here that they want to drop out because they didn't know that nursing was going to be like this?
1) Prospective student will get certified, interview, land job, get trained, work your mandatory 3 months and say "Oh heck no! This is NOT for me" and quit.
2) Prospective student will get certified, interview, land job, go through training, hit the three month mark and think "Oh YES! I was BORN to be a nurse". Will proceed with his/her dream while working as a CNA for the experience/money/connections.
3) Prospective student will get certified, interview, land job, train, get to 3 months and think" Yep, confirms what I thought, I want to be a nurse" and will quit the job to focus on becoming a nurse.
In 2 out of 3 examples, whatever facility hires and trains said CNA loses said CNA at the magical 3 month mark. LTC's in particular could become a revolving door of potential nursing students dipping their toe into the world of healthcare because of this silly requirement. Not to mention, the work of a CNA is very unlike what a person will do as a nurse!
My school required that you successfully complete the CNA class before applying, mostly so we had the basic skills of toileting, ambulating, turning, etc and could perform those tasks with confidence---they just don't have time to teach those things in nursing school!
I think your first reason made my point for me. They would know that it is not for them and save both time and money, not to mention the fact that they would have made space available for someone who really wanted to get into nursing school and become a nurse.
You also confirmed it again in the last paragraph; they really don't have time to be teaching those things in nursing schools. So when you think about it, I believe it would be in my best interest as a prospective student to get a jump start on the things that instructors just really don't have the time to be going over.
RescueNinjaKy
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