Required to take CNA course before entering nursing school?

luckyladyore · May 21, 2004

My school requires that you have your CNA before you submit an application! It doesnt hurt to have more knowledge.

tuppence · May 21, 2004

I agree that you should call the school and find out what their requirements are. They may require a CNA class before applying, or before starting, or not at all -- and they may also have some other requirement, like CPR/First Aid. Better to find out for sure, from the school, so you can have all your ducks in a row.

My school requires CNA certification. It wasn't a big deal, I just took a month-long course through the Red Cross over January break. A couple of friends were in the class, too, which made it more bearable. And it was really easy.

nikonos · May 22, 2004

Both schools I applied to required CNA/MNA certification or the 75 hour equivalent course. I'm opting to do mine through my nursing school even though I will not be certified by the state upon completion of the course. Quite a few programs in Kentucky require this a a pre-req and I see the logic in 'testing the waters' before they invest the time/money/class vacancy on someone only to find out they can't dealing with certain bodily substances.

rn undisclosed name · May 22, 2004

My school requires it. Before they will even consider your application you have to have this completed. Once you start the nursing program they assume you already have the basic skills down and go through that part of it pretty fast at the beginning (from what I am told). I enjoyed my CNA class and the experience I gained.

Kelly

cna on her way · May 22, 2004

Honestly I think most states have their own rules on that. When my sister went to LPN school in Va it wasn't required, but in all the schools I know of in NC it is a prereq. Here in Myrtle Beach it is not. I don't see any harm in it though. Its 12 to 16 weeks and it prepares you. I am a CNA now and have been for 3 years. I have so much wonderful experience under my belt now. Particularly from the past year when I worked in the Burn Unit. I learned so much there.

JennInColumbus · May 22, 2004

Blue Jeans, your questions was not at all stupid. At my school we were not only required to take a CNA class, we had to take the test and pass to become STNAs. I actually think it is a great idea, that way you can hit the ground running learning sterile technique and proceedures instead of starting with basics like proper hand washing, denture cleaning and bed making.

I also took a PCA class prior to starting, even though I didn't need to. I am so glad I did. Since I had already learned sterile technique and the most common sterile proceedures, I didn't have the stress that many others did when it came time to return skills like dressing changes and catheterizations.

I would recommend the CNA and PCA classes to anyone planning to go to nursing school for two reasons... there were lots of people in my classes who said "this is nursing? no, not for me" and didn't continue to pursue nursing as a career... the second reason... it relieves a lot of stress when you are already comfortable with the new material you are being given in the first few months. Starting nursing school is stressful enough, do what you can to relieve some of that stress!

Hope this helps,

Jenn

PCGrad06 · May 23, 2004

The community college I am attending now does require the MNA100 class. However, after taking it I was accepted into another college which does not require it. But I am glad I took the class. It gave me a heads up on the basic things such as how to make the bed and wash my hands! :)

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 23, 2004

Never even considered that as an option. Sure would not hurt, but it seems to me that the foundation you get the first semester in nursing school is adequate enough to train you as an aide. Maybe your facility, or state, requires certification or licensure to anyone doing direct pt. care. As already suggested, call the College of Nursing and ask a reliable source.

FutureIsBlue, LPN, LVN · May 23, 2004

Thank you to everyone for your answers. I am thinking about taking the course this summer so by next summer, I can work as a certified nursing assistant. But, if I do take the course, am I wasting my money even though the skills will be taught in the first semester of the nursing program?

truern · May 23, 2004

for the adn program at wake tech in raleigh, nc it is NOT a requirement, but i can see where it would help :)

at least it would give you a sense of whether nursing is for you and/or you're for nursing :nurse:

newgrad04 · May 23, 2004

I guess, there are schools out there that require CNA. Mine didn't (just graduated from ADN) and until today, I never heard of anything like this before. Just call the school, they'll get you the right info.

TristateRN · May 23, 2004

My school requires a UAP course (unlicensed assisted personnel) before starting nursing school. They give the course themselves so you start it once you've been accepted into the program. It is the same course the hospital gives to its new PCAs.