school!!

Nurse_Ben · Oct 18, 2004

Steph,

I am in nursing school and I'm due to get my BSN in April 2005. I have had no previous experience in healthcare. I love nursing. If you are born to be a nurse then that alone will guide you. Follow your heart and not the academic process.

-Benny

stephera · Oct 18, 2004

I tried to get into LVN last year and I had no CNA experience so I went to work at the nursing home for about 3 1/2 months and then quit and went back for about a month and quit (again) this morning. I could not handle it any more -mainly the coworkers and being shorthanded all the time!! They only give you 4 points for 6 month job experience. I did not mind the job at all!!! I actually enjoyed the elderly!! But everyone tells me that alot of people get in with having CNA experience.. Anyways thanks for your advice.

Steph:)

Steph,
I am in nursing school and I'm due to get my BSN in April 2005. I have had no previous experience in healthcare. I love nursing. If you are born to be a nurse then that alone will guide you. Follow your heart and not the academic process.
-Benny

rngreenhorn · Oct 19, 2004

I graduated from a nursing school at a community college in Northern AZ. I had no previous health care experience, but they use a point system based on GPA of prerequisites and scores on the nursing entrance exam. Previous health care experience wasn't entered in to the equation.

loriangel14, RN · Oct 19, 2004

I am a rpn (reg. practical nurse) student in Canada and about three quarters of my class has no health care experience. All I had to do was pass the assessment exam for mature students and the college entrance exam and I was accepted to the nursing program.

I find it funny reading these postings, there are so many different programs and job titles. Even across Canada it is different. I live in Ontario and here the rpns are members of the college of nurses and therefore considered nurses but ti is not the same in all the other provinces I believe.

Good luck to all the students out there.

ADS RN · Oct 19, 2004

I found that if you had your CNA that it made school easier. I've also found that they make excellent nurses to work with because they've been at the other end of the job and can be more compassionate working with CNA's That's not always the case, and some of the students I've worked with with no experience are top notch. I agree that if you have the "calling" you'll be a good nurse no matter what.

EmilyCCRN · Oct 19, 2004

I'm not a CNA; my school doesn't require it. They do use a point system (GPA, NET scores, and an interview).

nurse_wannabe · Oct 19, 2004

I am in my 4th month of LPN school and loving it so far! (I could really do without all the childish drama though.) Our acceptance into the program was based on a points system, but being a CNA or not being a CNA had nothing to do with it. We earned our points through the entrance exam, neatness of application, and our personal and work references.

There is a student in my class who has been a CNA for many, many years and has, until now, tried unsuccessfully for 6 years to get into the program, even though all of my instructors and the director have worked with her and know she is a darn good CNA.

As a matter of fact, several of my instructors have commented that we students who were not CNAs have an advantage over those who were because they have learned short-cuts for doing things and they now have to relearn it the "right" way, a.k.a. the "textbook" way.

Good luck to you! :)

stephera · Oct 19, 2004

I am just so afraid that getting the full 70 points for the asset entrance test will not get me in. Maybe I can get a different job through home health and finish out my 6months experience. I just don't know if they will take experience from two different jobs!?!!! Thanks,

I am in my 4th month of LPN school and loving it so far! (I could really do without all the childish drama though.) Our acceptance into the program was based on a points system, but being a CNA or not being a CNA had nothing to do with it. We earned our points through the entrance exam, neatness of application, and our personal and work references.
There is a student in my class who has been a CNA for many, many years and has, until now, tried unsuccessfully for 6 years to get into the program, even though all of my instructors and the director have worked with her and know she is a darn good CNA.
As a matter of fact, several of my instructors have commented that we students who were not CNAs have an advantage over those who were because they have learned short-cuts for doing things and they now have to relearn it the "right" way, a.k.a. the "textbook" way.
Good luck to you! :)

okie2 · Oct 19, 2004

the ADN program I will apply to doesn't require previous experience or give extra points for it BUT.....you get 2 extra points on application for a CERTIFICATION like a CNA, CMA, PCA even without having worked as one.

It's so competitive that I am going to do a self study CNA certification(60 hrs classroom & 16 hrs clinical). Those 2 points may make or break my chances!

They start a new class every semester--for this past group, they had over 200 applicants for 50 spots. I gotta get all the points I can. and I will have a head start on skills! can't beat that.

EmilyCCRN · Oct 19, 2004

As a matter of fact, several of my instructors have commented that we students who were not CNAs have an advantage over those who were because they have learned short-cuts for doing things and they now have to relearn it the "right" way, a.k.a. the "textbook" way.

I've seen the same phenomenon in my nursing program, too! The CNA's are having to "relearn" a lot of what they already know.

okie2 · Oct 19, 2004

Anyone that has been out in the real working world for a while might need to "re-learn" textbook techniques. They might have learned short-cuts or developed bad habits.

BUT... a CNA Course teaches basic skills as they should be done, and the certification exam requires proper procedure. I don't think taking such a class would be detrimental.

Although, if you don't need the certification for "points" and don't plan on working as a CNA---why do it??? I'm doing it for the exposure and the extra points.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!