Should I take a CNA class?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone,

I am new to the boards. Hope you can help me out here. I have been accepted into an ADN program for Fall 2008. Now, I am starting to have doubts. I don't know if I'm going to like nursing or not. Do you think it would be a good idea to take a CNA course before starting the ADN program? I would hate to spend all my money and time to find out nursing is not for me. I have heard how stressful it is and I have no nursing experience. Are there any of you out there that started out as CNAs and progressed onto an ADN program?

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I would say getting your CNA is a good idea. It will give you an idea of what nursing is. But if you hate CNA work I would say dont base that on your decision to become an RN. Working in LTC is very difficult and in my opinion one of the hardest areas of nursing to deal with. Remember there are TONS of jobs out there for nurses, surely you will find your niche once you start working. If LTC isnt for you there are hundreds of other options

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I highly recomend taking a CNA course first. I took a CNA course when I didn't pass one of my nursing courses the first time around. In taking that course I learned alot, it was a great refresher of fundamentals for me. I learned I really do like nursing and I enjoy working with the elderly.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I would definitely take the CNA class. Like you, I didn't want to waste the time and money if nursing school wasn't something I was 100% sure about. I was about 99% sure I wanted to be a nurse, and now that I have worked as a CNA and seen first hand what nurses have to go through, I've changed my mind. I'm going into dental hygiene instead. :mad:

:bowingpur

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Thanks DreamyEyes,

I'm going to try the CNA class first. If that doesn't work, I may consider pharmacy school. Good for you that you found your niche in dental hygeine.

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My school requires all student's to be STNA's prior to starting nursing classes. It's helpful to be an aide first so you have some idea of what they go through as well as how to do patient care.

89 days to graduation. Yea me!

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Good point. I think nursing schools should make it a requirement for prenursing students to take a CNA course so indecisive students (like me) will know what they are getting into.

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