Nursing Student

[katie2325]

I will start nursing school in January and wanted to get some guidance on CNA certification. If I have the time to take a CNA course before nursing school starts, should I do it? Is it beneficial to work as a CNA while I am in nursing school? I have not clinical experience, but I do have experience in medical billing.

[Compassion_x]

I found it was beneficial, especially during my first semester of nursing school. After that most of us were on an even playing field.

[ellaballet]

I spent a looot of money on my CNA class (Red Cross)...most hospitals will hire you as a CNA after you finish your first clinical, if you're already paying tuition I'd just wait to start a CNA job then. The course took me a month, and then a month after I finished to get certified. I also start school in January so I can't speak to how beneficial it would be for school, but you wouldn't be able to get much work experience in before then anyways..I'd say save yourself the money and get a CNA job in the summer.