Nursing Assistant?

Published

I am interested in becoming a nurse, but I would like to start out as a nursing assistant first. What is the best way for me to become a nursing assistant?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Developmental Disabilities, LTC.

Here's how it worked for me: I decided I wanted to go to school for nursing, I applied at the school in my area that had the shortest waiting list, they told me in order to get on the waiting list, I had to be certified as a nursing assistant and this school offered the CNA class.

Part II: once I became certified, I got a job with the state and found out that they would have actually paid me to get certified on their site themselves.

I know that sounds a little goofy...& it was. A lot of people would get hired at this facility just to get certified (by the way, this place paid you hourly just to take their CNA class) and would quit immediately after.

I'm originally from MN, so I know a LITTLE bit about the schools. Of course, I have no idea what part of MN you're from...but...Inver Hills Community College is rumored to have an excellent nursing program. And there's another technical college I'm thinking of, too...maybe Dakota Tech?

I would just find out what schools in your area offer the nursing program and go from there. It's an easy 6 week, or something, course.

Good luck! And congratulations on your decision to be CNA...it absolutely changed my life :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks so much for the reply! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds leukemia, APON, GI in a clinic.

Many nursing home and long term care(LTC) facilities will pay for your CNA training, but there is usually a 6 - 12 month commitment required to that facility. CNA is a great way to figure out if nursing is right for you. Personally, I had zero intrest in the LTC field and had heard how there is 1 CNA per 20 - 30 residents and you got chewed up and spit out at these places. I went to a tech college ( Dakota County Tech College in Rosemount) and paid for my own CNA certificate and started applying to hospitals. I started working at a small hospital at half time after my regular day job. I LOVED it and continued my education and have been a RN for almost 2 years now.

One of the pleasent surprises of being a CNA in a hospital is that the experience put me WAAAAAY ahead of my classmates who had never worked in the healthcare field. I KNEW I could at least function on the floor and do minimum cares like bed baths, linen changes, empty foley bags and many such details where some of my classmates were lost.

Good luck and get after it, Gary

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Here's how it worked for me: I decided I wanted to go to school for nursing, I applied at the school in my area that had the shortest waiting list, they told me in order to get on the waiting list, I had to be certified as a nursing assistant and this school offered the CNA class.

Part II: once I became certified, I got a job with the state and found out that they would have actually paid me to get certified on their site themselves.

I know that sounds a little goofy...& it was. A lot of people would get hired at this facility just to get certified (by the way, this place paid you hourly just to take their CNA class) and would quit immediately after.

I'm originally from MN, so I know a LITTLE bit about the schools. Of course, I have no idea what part of MN you're from...but...Inver Hills Community College is rumored to have an excellent nursing program. And there's another technical college I'm thinking of, too...maybe Dakota Tech?

I would just find out what schools in your area offer the nursing program and go from there. It's an easy 6 week, or something, course.

Good luck! And congratulations on your decision to be CNA...it absolutely changed my life :)

What is this place called that pays you for training?

-Choua

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mental Health, MI/CD, Neurology.

Getting your CNA is the best way to kick off your nursing career, in my opinion. Good for you for doing it!! You will gain so much knowledge and many parts of your nursing clinicals will be a breeze after having CNA experience.

And congratulations on your decision to be CNA...it absolutely changed my life :)

I second that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Developmental Disabilities, LTC.
What is this place called that pays you for training?

-Choua

Sorry, Choua - I could have sworn I replied to this as soon as you posted the question - it's in Madison, WI. Central Wisconsin Center.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion