Pre nursing or cna?

loriangel14, RN · Jun 20, 2013

Working as a CNA will give you valuable hands on experience with people.Some nursing programs actually require the CNA license first.You could do it before or after pre nursing. It's not needed before, one really has nothing to do with the other.

stewartfamily2010 · Jun 20, 2013

You can even take a CNA class during your pre-req's like I did. I was able to find a weekend CNA program.

blondebabe0625 · Jun 20, 2013

Working as a CNA will give you valuable hands on experience with people.Some nursing programs actually require the CNA license first.You could do it before or after pre nursing. It's not needed before one really has nothing to do with the other.[/quote']
Yep! Most nursing programs require having your CNA license as a prerequisite. It would only help you not hurt you at all to have it. Great hands on experience.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2013

Yep! Most nursing programs require having your CNA license as a prerequisite. It would only help you not hurt you at all to have it. Great hands on experience.

My program doesn't require it but they make the suggestion. I wish I had done it. But isn't it true you can get CNA certified after your first semester in RN school?

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2013

Good day, mrskrobbins:

The schools in our area don't require it; but if you can fit it in, go for it.

Even though it is not required, if I thought I could fit it in without impacting my current classes and grade goals, I would do so.

Thank you.

whattodo4 · Jun 20, 2013

it seems for some schools CNA is no longer a recommendation rather it is now a requirement and if the school you are going to needs the CNA, then you know what to do. Still I think CNA is a pretty good move regardless. You will most likely have a summer off before doing nursing school and externship. Assuming most people want to work over the summer why not spend that summer or whatever free break period as a CNA? I assume for a up and coming nurse, working as a CNA will bring more joy than working hardlines and softlines at Target.

Nursing has not yet reached the PA and Med school requirements of "significant or previous paid medical experience" ( personally Id rather not see it go that way) but it is not uncommon to see EMT students, CNA students, Phlebotomy students, using the class, the experience gained to better their chances of getting into nursing school.

mrskrobbins · Jun 20, 2013

Thank you all for your input, and to be completely honest I am not sure if my school requires it, I doubt it because I wasn't told it was a requirement before signing up for the class.

Here's my issue, and why I was asking

I live in South Carolina. I'm in a financial help program that helps make me employable, teaches me skills, and things like that. I've applied to Midlands Tech College for the Pre Nursing class in August which I have orientation for on Monday.

&& The financial program I'm in is asking me NOT to take Pre Nursing, but they're asking me to take their CNA class instead (which they have offered to pay for at least 1 semester.) My financial aid pays for most of my Pre Nursing class though. So money isn't the problem just because I'm poor enough my financial aid covered me, as sad as that is lol..

but that's why I'm asking.. should I cancel my plans into Pre Nursing and go with the CNA? Or should I tell them no thank you & keep moving?

whattodo4 · Jun 21, 2013

hmm that is tricky. If going for the CNA meant that I could not, at the same time take the lower level nursing/pre nursing classes like Anatomy and phyis, microbio, stats etc.. then I am not sure I would do it. Of course at the same time once you complete the CNA you can start applying for paid work and nursing school is usually very competitive and the CNA might just give you the edge against other candidates.

Ideally I would do both, both prenursing and CNA at the same time. Assuming that can't be done and money is not an issue then go prenursing. For once you complete your first semesters of clinical as a nursing student you can challenge the CNA exam anyway

mrskrobbins · Jun 21, 2013

Alright, that sounds ideal to me, nope I can't take both unfortunately, I definitely would! I'll go through with Pre Nursing and then maybe if the offer is still there later on, I'll take the CNA class

rmariee · Jun 22, 2013

I got my CNA liscense by taking a two day course and I passed the state exam it was super easy. I also volunteered at a hospital for four years and work at one now as a receptionist / medical billing. I'd say you should try and get it over the summer or sometime before you complete your nursing pre-reqs because it will look really good with your application.

sogade · Jun 22, 2013

I'm in NC, I'm not sure how different it is there.... I took my college classes and last fall arranged my classes so I could take the CNA course, which was a requirement to all of my local community colleges. I think the CNA class I took was a three week class, 2 weeks in lecture/skills and a week of clinicals. I'm glad I took the CNA class to give me taste of what I'm getting myself into! If I need to work during school or breaks I can fall back on it.