Should I become a CNA while I'm taking my 2 years of prerequisites for RN School?

LaceElaine · Jul 12, 2012

Sounds like a great plan :) its good that you're getting started early! Good luck!

Graduation2016 · Jul 12, 2012

Do it! That's how I started too. I went to school for Surgical Technology while working full time as a CNA (eventually had to drop to PT) and now I'm an OB Scrub Tech (which btw I love, but I'm guilty of wanting more) so I'm taking the TEAS a week from Saturday to hopefully start my Gen. Ed classes for nursing. It was hard for me with a FT job, 3 kids, a husband who behaved like one of the kids, household, etc so if I did it, there's no doubt you can do it too! Good luck!

Lacymom · Jul 12, 2012

That's what I'm doing. I'm taking a CNA course. Have enrolled at ivy tech to start working towards a nursing degree. Planning on working , getting floor experience while working towards RN. Plus I can add that cert. to. My nursing app and according to their website, there is one class I might not need to take b/c of it. God luck.

Tinkx RN · Jul 12, 2012

Wish I would have thought of doing that or home health aide...in which I'm sort of doing now at my job but I'm not certified but that's limits me in places I can and can not work :-( go for it...def sounds like a great plan

shay&lynn, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2012

Highly recommend!

GinaDecorRN · Jul 12, 2012

Good plan. This will expose you to the good and bad aspects of nursing. Keep in mind that just in case you work with dissatisfied nurses doesn't mean that is how it is everywhere. ( I delayed nursing school because I thought all nurses were unhappy, then realized it was the department I was in. ) Also a CNA may be taught one way to do something but in nursing school clinicals do things the way they teach you. "We do it like this where I work" are not the words your instructors ever want to hear. You will learn a lot and be ahead of other students not previously exposed to patient care.

Good Luck!

shay&lynn, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2012

Good plan. This will expose you to the good and bad aspects of nursing. Keep in mind that just in case you work with dissatisfied nurses doesn't mean that is how it is everywhere. ( I delayed nursing school because I thought all nurses were unhappy, then realized it was the department I was in. ) Also a CNA may be taught one way to do something but in nursing school clinicals do things the way they teach you. "We do it like this where I work" are not the words your instructors ever want to hear. You will learn a lot and be ahead of other students not previously exposed to patient care.
Good Luck!

Agree!

LetItBe_12 · Jul 12, 2012

Sounds like a great idea. I regret not doing it myself. I just graduated with my RN and am having trouble with my job search and I think I would have had better luck if I had previous Cna or tech work. It may also help you get a foot in the door at a facility for when you do become a nurse.

johnny depp23 · Jul 13, 2012

Depends on if you like hurtin' ya back and wipin' butts all day? All kidding aside - if you can find a free CNA course, take it! After you get certified, you can go work at a hospital and make some money.

pnkgirl25 · Jul 13, 2012

That's what I'm doing. I am just wrapping up my CNA program now. When that is done I am taking the acute CNA cert. program. I then plan on applying to every hospital within 50 miles. I figure it will give me some idea of whats its like to work in a hospital or psyc ward (I'm leaning towards being a psyc nurse). Plus a few of the schools I'm applying to give you extra points if you are a CNA.

Cali_Nurse_209 · Jul 14, 2012

You should definitely get your CNA. It's going to give you a lot if exposure to patient care which will help you in the nursing program and your future nursing career. I became a CNA in 2008 to see if nursing was what I really wanted to do. I worked as a CNA in LTC now I work in a psych facility. I start the BSN program next month here in Cali and I received extra points on my nursing application for being a CNA. You should also see if you can find a free CNA program. I went through a nursing homes free CNA program and I have no regrets. It'll better prepare me for nursing school because I know how to give a bed bath, change and make a bed, take vs, and and basic things like that and more which I will encounter next month my 1 st semester of nursing school. I won't be afraid to change a persons brief or " get my hands dirty." The experience you'll gain as a CNA will be invaluable. At least that's my opinion.