Should I get my CNA?

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Hi everyone!

I am currently going to college to get my Bachelors of Science in Nursing, but i heard a rumor that people are wanting nurses to have paid work experience (since I live in a competitive area for nurses to get hired). So this summer I was planning on getting my CNA and work while going to school to get my BSN, so that way I have some work experience. So my question really is, is a CNA really going to benefit me in the long run? Or will it be a waste of my money and time?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Gerontology/Home Health CM, OB, ICU, MS.

I'm surprised that CNA experience is not a requirement for admission.

Here in CA, all the programs I know do require that, & for good reason.

Case in point: I once worked with an R.N. who had graduated from a Florida program that only required a Bachelors in any other discipline, + 1 year nurse's training. So, she managed to be a nurse without ever having taken anatomy, amongst other issues. She found out she hated it, & left after wasting years & $$. (I sure hope that program was eliminated long ago).

My answer to your question is therefore a strong yes, & not just so you know what nursing is.

For many people, the strong but unquantifiable positives do not outweigh the very strong negatives. Only way to find out, is to work at basic nursing, which is to say, CNA (IMHO).

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Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

Not a waste of money or time. It gives you valuable experience and you get exposure to patients. It will teach you time management and prioritization. It will teach you how to talk to and deal with people. It's priceless experience, and as the above poster mentioned, I believe it should be a requirement for nursing school.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Definitely not a waste of time but you may not even have to get your official CNA. I worked as an aide for a summer without every actually being "certified". Many hospitals will hire nursing students into the aide role after they've completed their first clinical rotation.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Totally not a waste of time. You will see so much and learn so much. Your working in a hospital will also introduce you to lots of people who could possibly hire you. I also think a lot of nurses who never worked as aids had quite a ton of surprises when they actually became nurses and took a patient assignment. I agree with the above posters, it should be a requirement for school...good luck to you!

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