Nursing/CNA Experience

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 9, 2004

Quite honestly, being a CNA helped me tremendously, since i already knew basic pt. care, lift machines, etc. A lot of people that started in my program had no clue how to do ay of that and what was bad was that these things were not taught, so those who didn't know already found out how to do pt. care in a crash course.

lilshamrock · Feb 9, 2004

thanks for the advice. i guess i would assume they would teach those types of things in nursing classes as well.

Aneroo, LPN · Feb 9, 2004

Hello! Having experience as a former CNA did give me a slight advantage. However, after your first semester of nursing school, you'll be able to get your CNA I cert. After second semester, CNA II. Your instructors are supposed to treat everyone equally, whether or not you have experience or not. Some nursing schools require that incoming students be a CNA before admission. I'm not sure how it is where you are. Once you get into the program (I take it from the way you were talking that you're not already in the program), there should be others there with no experience also. To some people, basic skills come super easy, and to others, they struggle with proper turning and getting bed corners right. It all depends. I wouldn't compromise my study time to become a CNA. Best wishes-Andrea

wrmbreeze · Feb 9, 2004

I am not a CNA, but it helps that some of my classmates are. They are a wonderful help and don't mind taking some time to help me through things.Some of my instructors like people with no experience because they dont have to break us of some the habits they have. They said it was easier to teach new stuff to us than to reteach someone who had learned it a different way.

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 9, 2004

Our nursing program now requires you to get your CNA before you start the nursing program. Apparently that gives them more time to teach about other things, and after your first year of clinicals, you can sit for the LPN boards.

Not quite what you were asking, but for me, being a CNA is a prerequisite.

dianacs · Feb 9, 2004

I did not have any experience. At first I was in awe of those who did, but once I learned the basics, I was more or less on the same page as everyone else. After my first semester I did work for a few months very part-time as a nurse assistant, but I found I needed all the spare time I could get--I go to school at night and on weekends; during the day I am at home with my four-year-old--so I am no longer working. I will say that I sometimes envy those who work in a hospital because they it sounds like they get to see and do quite a bit. But these "experienced" people are great resources for me in clinicals! Sometimes it's much less intimidating to go to a fellow student for help than an instructor. And if your program required healthcare experience, they would have said so. Since they don't, they will expect many students to be starting from scratch and will teach you the basic skills. Good luck, and remember, you can be a great RN no matter what your background (I'm still a student, I tell myself this lots)!

RedSox33RN · Feb 10, 2004

I don't have any experience as a CNA, and it's not a requirement for any of the nursing programs around here. I think there were only two people who are CNA's that were trying for admission into one of the nursing schools I applied to.

They said we could become CNA's after one semester of nursing school also. They said 99% of the people do it, and get jobs at the hospitals or nursing homes where clinicals are held.

snag · Feb 10, 2004

I'm going to attend a school that I applied to precisely because they are an accelerated program for non-nurses who hold a Bachelor's degree and have the prerequisites done. I hope they don't expect me to know any health care...that is why I'm coming to their school...to learn it!

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Feb 10, 2004

Agree CNA experience is invaluable, especially early on. Learning new things daily in my position.

Mandylpn · Feb 10, 2004

I was a nursing asst. back in the 1970's when you did not have to be certified. I took the course and am certified now. I do not work in a nursing home at present. I chose not to work while going to school.

lilshamrock · Feb 14, 2004

thanks for all your responses....

i still might get my cna this summer just so i can get a job. i'm #508 on the waitlist so god knows when i'll get in to the nursing program.

right now im exploring alternative school because the school i currently go to only has two classes going with a max of 50 students per class...(one that starts in the spring and one in the fall) so it will take me close to 5 or more years to get in (depending on the drop out rate of other students).

my school doesn't require you to have a cna certificate in order to start the program, just seems like most of the people already have some type of "health care" experience. after one year of the nursing program here, you can take the test to get your lpn then continue on to get your rn-(adn). im tempted to apply at a private college, i hear alot of people getting into the program right away because no one wants to pay 24+ k for 2 years to get their bsn, when you can pay 10k for 2 yrs to get your adn and then take online course to get your bsn.