Should I get my CNA?

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Specializes in CVICU.

Hi.

I'm a 17-year old high school senior. I've been taking college classes since last year. I will have all the prerequisites for my college's nursing program completed by this summer and will be applying to the nursing program for the spring after that. I've read a lot on allnurses.com and think that getting my CNA certification and working as a CNA at a hospital would really help my chances to get a job once I actually graduate. What do y'all think?

Should I go for my MA or something else that's entry-level instead? Or is a CNA adequate for transitioning to RN in the long run?

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Getting your CNA will make you a more desirable candidate for a job once you have a license, especially if you apply for employment at the hospital/healthcare facility you are already working at. Perhaps, more importantly, it will make you more comfortable in the health care field and you will learn tons of stuff, not just CNA work but nursing responsibilities as long as you make your career goals known to the nurses you work with. Get that CNA and work if you can, trust me, you will be so glad you did.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

if i could do it over again..id get my CNA, work in a hospital as a CNA/PCT you can get your foot in the door and a good way to network when ur ready to work as an RN :)

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I know a lot of students who didn't get their CNA who wish they had. I've heard from a lot of people that (especially in today's economy) getting a CNA job in a hospital definitely boosts your chances of getting hired. I've seen that especially at my hospital, the CNA's get hired regularly once they graduate from nursing school.

Not only that, but you learn a lot. I work on a surgical floor and I've learned SO much since I' started working there. A lot of new nurses who had prior healthcare experience seem a lot less stressed out than new nurses without any health care experience. I like seeing what the nurses do everyday too so I know what I'm getting myself into!

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I think it's a good idea. I was a pre-nursing student up until a few months ago and I got accepted into a CNA program last September. I didn't go ahead with it because I only had one week's notice and I was already doing my prereqs for nursing school. Looking back though, I totally regret not going ahead with it at that time... I truly believe I could have pulled through with all the school work. Now I'm jobless... my work history isn't that great for a 23-year-old and entry-level hospital jobs are so darn competitive that it's almost impossible to get one if you have ZERO experience in whatever you're applying for. Now I'm looking to reapply to the CNA program next year or the year after.

Like the other posters said before me, CNA education and work experience would make you a more desireable candidate, may make you more comfortable around patients, and you will learn A LOT! I think there are more positive than negative reasons to get it.

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I am going to do this. I think it's a GREAT idea! I would love to work as a CNA while in school. I think the experience will be invaluable, and we'll be a lot more comfortable when it comes time to work as RNs. I'm searching for a CNA course as we speak.

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A CNA job is sometime though, but I love it. I had a busy day today but its a good job. Albeit I haven't applied to nursing yet, my boss and charge nurse can't wait to get me in the ICU soon as I get done with nursing school. In essence being a CNA can only be a great thing. My advice is get your CNA, show good work ethic and when the time comes they would rather hire you than some foreign new grad.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Great guys. Thanks. I'm going tomorrow to my local vocational school to pay & secure a spot in the program next February and tested for TB. I can't wait.

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