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Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I can't tell you how badly I wish I would have known this before I started Nursing School. Please if you want to become a RN, go get your CNA and work in the field for a while before enrolling in the program. If you have no medical background please take the time to get your feet wet before you jump in the deep end with no floaties. It is going to prepare you and really give you an advantage in the RN program. I just don't want anyone else to struggle like I am. It will be worth the time and your life will so much less stressful!!!!!

Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
Uhh I have never seen a PA school that looks favorably on CNA in particular most PAs I know were exclusively EMTs or medics in the military at one point but never have I seen CNA to PA. I mean I'm sure it's happened but its far less common.

No. Most schools don't have a preference on EMT vs CNA vs other healthcare professions; many clearly states that. They look for direct-patient care experience. EMT and CNA work in different environment and have different perspectives on patient care, but one isn't better than the other. Schools look for what you learned from the experience, not what the job titles themselves.

My CNA class was made up primarily of pre-PA students because it was during summer vacation. I only know of 1 other person who's going into nursing.

Thank you for posting this.

I begin my CNA course tomorrow, and it's a decision I came to after much thought. Nursing will be a new career for me, one that I have dreamed about for many years but that never seemed to fit into life. Now that I've taken the plunge, I'm trying to make each decision carefully and take the steps that would provide the best support in the long run. I've read some advice that says to skip the CNA class, because it is often covered in the first year of nursing school anyway. But my heart and brain said that the experience is so valuable.

So, thanks again for the validation!

It might not be a mandatory requirement or even something you have to do to be able to be a better nurse, but it definitely is great if you came to the medical field with some experience and perspective. Plus, it does not shock one as much. We have a few nursing students who come for their clinicals on our floor, and one can easily see the comfort levels of those who work in this sector already (as a CNA or in some other capactiy) and those who are brand-spanking new. If it can be afforded and done, it will be a good experience. Getting a job might be a different ballgame altogether.

Umbdude explains it perfectly. I have struggled with everything she has mentioned at some point along my journey. The first few semesters were tough because I was completely new to the environment and learning to deal with nurses and talk to patients. Being a CNA or NA would have prepared me. Now I am struggling with the workload and time management, which I feel like the CNA or NA position would have provided this much needed experience. Just all together being familiar with the schedule and flow of the hospital. I think every school should require so many volunteer hours before even accepting applications. Students need to be exposed before they are performing duties in front of instructors. If you are someone that does get nervous when being graded, this is gonna make your life easier.

No. Most schools don't have a preference on EMT vs CNA vs other healthcare professions; many clearly states that. They look for direct-patient care experience. EMT and CNA work in different environment and have different perspectives on patient care, but one isn't better than the other. Schools look for what you learned from the experience, not what the job titles themselves.

My CNA class was made up primarily of pre-PA students because it was during summer vacation. I only know of 1 other person who's going into nursing.

Well yeah for general patient experience it doesn't matter but I assure you many many PAs were once military medics or EMTs. They go hand in hand and I really don't see how CNA correlates at all...

I am not certain how networking gets you your first nursing job. The only person I graduated with that got a job from networking was a girl who was a waitress and she just so happened to do a great job while waiting on a nurse manager of a CV unit. In our "pod" of 24 students (we had 200 and something graduate so I dont know their stats) there were only a handful, like 5 or 6, that immediately found jobs after graduation. In fact, my employer, somewhere that makes you do a rigorous nursing residency, made a seperate hiring of new grads. There were 10 of us, we all were already employed with them and all had graduated within a term of one another. We did not have to do the residency program.

The first term of nursing school is nothing but CNA work. If you already are prepared and comfortable, you could potentially spend you free time else where studying, instead of practicing putting in foleys on dummies, or giving a bed bath, or when the instructor needs to be in two places at once, you can show your peer how to shave a man's face, and she can do more important things. True story.

If beign a CNA first will burn you out on your career faster, you are in the wrong field.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I have learned quite a bit as a CNA. Mostly, because I have a passion for nursing and I use every experience I can to learn as much as I can. For example, I know that real world nursing is much different than NS. I know a lot of the signs and symptoms of various medical conditions, because I've asked and watched and learned. I know a ton of the abbreviations, and listen to nurses call docs all the time and feel like I will have a better time when I have to do that myself.

I've assisted with wound care, and know how to apply a wound vac. I know what all the different types of dressings are and I know what a lot of them are used for. I know how to pronounce and spell the names of multiple medications and I know what they are for. I know how to remove staples, stitches and Foleys. I know how to do an EKG and attach a tele monitor. I am comfortable with the naked body, don't blink for a minute when someone soils the bed from head board to foot board and can change a colostomy while breathing. I've had docs see my interest and invite me to come watch them do various procedures.

Do I know as much as a nurse? No! Do I know more than the average new nursing student? You betcha!

It's not for everyone, and many nurses will tell you flat out they couldn't do it. You work your behind off for no pay and next to no recognition but to me, its been an invaluable experience. I also have formed really good relationships with a lot of doctors and nurses and feel like I'll have a good chance of getting hired in that hospital.

No, CNA's are not nurses, but that doesn't mean we're idiots and there is much that can be learned while in the CNA role. Its also good in my opinion to at least work a little as a CNA so you know what its like and how difficult and exhausting it truly can be.

As always, just my two pennies.

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

As in everything else there is no "one size fits all" in answer to this question but I'm seeing an overall shift in the direction of nursing programs requiring a CNA. course prior to entry...it could be just another way for schools to shift costs back to the student as they won't need to spend as much time on basic Nursing Fundamentals.

I agree with Glycerine there is much more to learn than the mechanics of doing ADLs especially if you are taking. Nursing courses concurrently. I think a CNA course would've helped me by giving me more familiarity with the culture of nursing and a greater comfort level in interacting with patients.

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Wasnt a CNA. Didnt hurt at all

Specializes in ICU.

I am not trying to downplay the role of a CNA at all or say that they don't get exposed to the yucky stuff early. But as far as BP and that stuff I did that in junior high and high school when I was a student athletic trainer. We did the school physicals and I did all of that stuff. I'm not worried about stuff people consider gross. I don't gross out easily. We already learned EKGs and all of that in A&P II. Not in nursing school. We took BPs today and I was showing people how to do it. Maybe being a CNA helps you know whether or not you can handle the basics but for people who already know they can, I don't see the point. I need to focus on my studies so I do well in school.

The best training before nursing school had to be the route that I took. I worked in construction for 14 years as a plumber and electrician. It's almost the same job as nursing. I was a medic too.

Specializes in Hospice.

I was a cna in long term care 10 years then I went to a hospital for 5 years as a pca then I went to nursing school. I also believe nursing school was easier when it came to clinicals but working in a hospital setting I quickly learned that there was a big difference between school and real world. I wouldn't trade my cna experience for anything and I do find it amusing when new nurses come out of school and don't like to clean poo. Nursing is not the glamorous life!

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