Should I become a CNA before school starts?

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I haven't worked in a care home before and I need the experience. So I was thinking about being a CNA to support myself and help pay for school. But I was thinking is this the best thing to do or is there another route? I don't want to take out a bunch of loans and I want to do my LVN first, then bridge later. What is your advise?

:innerconf

i think if you have to work, cna is the way to go.

when i was in nsg school, it was those who were cna's, that had a leg up on us in clinicals.

afterall, they (the cna/students) had been exposed to many of the procedures, knowing how to organize their care, give a quick/great bedbath, and become accustomed to the 'ways' of any given healthcare facility.

being a cna, also helped a lot in the confidence area.

with that said, i still turned out to be a great nurse, despite not having the cna background.

but, when i have a zillion tasks to do, it is the cna's i always turn to.

they are the pros at cutting corners while giving extraordinary care, a great time-saver.

so yes, you can be a great nurse w/o the experience.

but in terms of comfort/familiarity and exposure, cna is the way to go.

best of everything to you.

leslie

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I am considering entering into a BSN program-Should I become a CNA? I was hoping that while taking pre-reqs I could work partime in addition to a full time office job in order to get some expererience. Is it worth it, or just a waste of time?

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Specializes in acute care.

It's a decision you have to make for yourself. I decided to work as a CNA because I wanted to work while in school.

I am considering entering into a BSN program-Should I become a CNA? I was hoping that while taking pre-reqs I could work partime in addition to a full time office job in order to get some expererience. Is it worth it, or just a waste of time?
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.
I am considering entering into a BSN program-Should I become a CNA? I was hoping that while taking pre-reqs I could work partime in addition to a full time office job in order to get some expererience. Is it worth it, or just a waste of time?

I would recommend working as a CNA. I have heard that some nursing schools are requiring you to work as a CNA before being admitted to nursing schools. Almost like a prerequisite. By working as a CNA, you will get first hand experience on what nursing is all about. You will become a better nurse in the long run. There are many nurses out there that have forgotten how it was/is to be a CNA ( or a new grad). It is very hard work. Many people do it, but some don't do it well.

Kathy

:redpinkhe:innerconf

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Thanks for your input. I am working as an admissions counselor in Steubenville, OH making less than 30,000 but have benefits. My current position allows me to take a portion of the pre-reqs for free at the university where I work. The other portion I would have to take at a local community college. I thought that if I decided to go through with this that I could get paid while getting some experience as oppossed to shadowing. I that does not sound greedy, but I figure if I am going to spend all the time shadowing-especially while working on pre-reqs, I might as well get paid for it. What are your thoughts?

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Again, I just want to reiterate:

Don't let your CNA job interfere with your studies. My nursing school flunked out almost half of the students, many who were CNAs. Not to say that being a CNA will affect your grades, but you may be pressured to work more hours that are beneficial to your grades.

Do what works for you!

Oldiebutgoodie

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Specializes in Hospice.

I am looking for the same info....good replies and tips.

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Yes and no. I went to CNA school before I went to Nursing School, only to have the first month (Core) be a CNA class. There went 4 weeks of my life, and 600 dollars.

If you're asking if you should BE a CNA before going to nursing school, I don't think it really matters. I never actually WORKED as a CNA, before I went to Nursing School. I worked in a Pharmacy, as a Tech. That worked for me. I had to interact with elderly and/or sick people. I was accustomed to how to communicate effectively. If you're not sure that you will feel confident, working with the sick or elderly, as far as their different personalities, behaviors, needs, etc., then it might be a good idea. That'll help you feel confident, during clinicals which makes it a LOT easier. I know that my CNA's, that I work with, learn a lot from nurses. You pick up on little tidbits of info. (i.e.: "leave Mrs. Jones' feet elevated and head down, because I'm trying to get her blood pressure up." or "try to encourage some fluids, because Mrs. Jones has a UTI.") You can pick up on some state regulations. You can pick up on some "Real World" stuff, which could help/harm you. Positioning, tranferring, proper body alignment, how to deal with certain situations, and most importantly, CNA's are the nurses' eyes and ears. You'll be able to pick up on if one of your residents doesn't look right, or if they're breathing funny and you'll be reporting that to the nurses. You don't realize it, but CNA's are a nurse's best friend. You'll learn a lot, that can help you, while you're going through nursing school. Just don't get complacent, as a CNA, and let bad habits seep into your Nursing School teachings.

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

That's the way I did it. Besides supporting yourself thru school, you will gain a lot of experience along the way. It would be a real asset in helping you decide where to work after grad as well.

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