Should I become a CNA before entering an accelerated BSN Nursing program?

Music in My Heart · Jan 11, 2008

I'd say you'll be hard-pressed to hold down two different part-time jobs and go through an accelerated RN program.

I'd say that unless CNAs in your area get paid more than you're currently getting, I wouldn't bother. There is some valuable experience to be had but I don't consider the opportunity cost and the limited payback to be worth it.

ladylikeRN · Jan 11, 2008

Nursing school is very hard and fast paced so I would not take an additional job as a CNA if I were you. Maybe, once you enter nursing school, get a student nurse associate job (usually allowed after two semesters are completed) and that way you can set your own schedule as hospitals are very flexible with student nurses. As a student nurse associate/tech the nurses will teach you a lot of things that you need to know as a nurse while working.

allnurses Guide · Jan 11, 2008

No . . I wouldn't and didn't.

Good luck and best wishes! :flowersfo

steph

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 11, 2008

It would be a hard road, but it might give you an insight in the "other side" of the degree.

Megsd, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2008

I am considering entering into an accelerated nursing program (age 27 with a BS in Business) and will be shadowing at a local hospital prior to making a decision. If I decide to go forward with this is it prudent to become a CNA? I was thinking that in addition to my office job, I could work part-time as a CNA which would allow gain experience and make a few extra dollars in the process. Do you think this would be a waste of time? Are any of the pre-req for an accelerated program ( A and P, Chem) courses encompassed within a CNA program?

As a recent accelerated BSN grad, I would say that while it may help your confidence a little in school to become CNA certified, I probably wouldn't do it if it's not a requirement of your program. All you learn in a CNA class is how to safely perform basic nursing skills such as feeding, transfering/walking patients, vital signs, etc. No A&P, no chemistry. All tasks, basically. If being a CNA isn't a prereq for your program, they should teach you all of this in nursing school, so the only benefit would be that you may feel "ahead of the game" in terms of those skills.

Working during an accelerated nursing program can be very challenging (I was fortunate that I did not have to), and trying to coordinate 2 part-time jobs can be mind-boggling even if you don't have anything else, like nursing school, going on in your life. Good luck with your decision!

allnurses Guide · Jan 12, 2008

:yeahthat: Excellent!

steph

Chuckie · Jan 13, 2008

No don't do it. Being a CNA would change your mind about being an RN. It would depress you. It is not a job I would recommend to anyone. Never go to LPN school first either if you plan on being an RN. If you want to be an RN do it you are just wasting your time with these other jobs.

allnurses Guide · Jan 13, 2008

No don't do it. Being a CNA would change your mind about being an RN. It would depress you. It is not a job I would recommend to anyone. Never go to LPN school first either if you plan on being an RN. If you want to be an RN do it you are just wasting your time with these other jobs.

I have to say that I agree with you . . . . if you are able and your goal is RN, do that.

There are others who have different stories - they couldn't get into an RN program and went about it in a different way.

But if you can go RN first, just do that. And don't do a CNA class.

steph

altus bulldog · Jan 13, 2008

A few of the ADN schools in the Kansas City area require a CNA before starting in their program. One nurse even complained that although she was a care assistant for several years before entering school, she still had to become a CNA before going to that particular school. I worked as an NA for two hospitals (PT) and was also a Nursery Director at church while going to RN school FT. I would not recommend this approach to nursing school to anyone, if it's possible. We made the decision that we would not let our daughter work when she started clinicals because the course work is too demanding of time. She worked 5 hours a week in the nursing lab her Senior year, work study, but it allowed her to study during work time. She was there to help the other students with lab and computer stuff. Most of the time, she was able to get her studying done. Seeing the results of both approaches to nursing school, if you do not HAVE to work, don't, while in school. If you do, I do not advise a second job, esp a new one where you are learning new things. It can be overwhelming, and will be. I taught accelerated students this past summer, and the work we demand of them leaves little time for outside work, much less normal /usual sleep hours, if you want to pass with high grades. The students with outside jobs, really struggled in the program. Several of them were like you, ready to start a second career. Their sleep and family time was even more limited than the traditional students. So no, I do not recommend becoming a CNA before school. All nursing schools should have a skills lab available to "study with a buddy" and practice your newly learned skills on each other before check-offs. Good Luck!