So I'm in a bit of a pickle, and am very nervous to begin my nursing program. I begin nursing school in approximately two weeks and it is freaking me out. The reason being is that in my program, we must have our CNA license prior to applying to the program and be competent in those skills as well as anatomy, physio, and micro.
I did well in all my pre-reqs, however My issue is, I did my CNA licensing when I was 16 and did not take it seriously what so ever. I passed my state boards honestly by a fluke. (I got really easy skills: ROM lower body, feeding pt with NAS diet, and measuring HR.), However if you asked me, "Please make an occupied bed, or closed bed, do peri care, or put a gait belt on this patient. I would probably be a lost puppy. The school that I went to, honestly did not care if we did things right or wrong, and when we did check offs, our instructor wouldn't really check to see if we did things 100% correct, we would just go up to her and have her sign a paper.
I worked as a CNA for a bit and found out just how badly I was struggling. Doing things textbook perfect vs in the nursing home setting is different and I really could not do much without another CNA's help. I am competent in some skills like vitals and dressing a pt with an effected limb etc, but I struggle with basic skills ESPECIALLY bed making. I am worried because I did not take the CNA course at the college, I do not know what to expect, and I do not know what they expect us to know?
So finally, should I email my professor letting her know this situation prior to beginning the program? What would be the repercussions? Also, HOW should I phrase this email?
I don't want to get kicked out of my program before it even begins, so please help
EDIT: My nursing program expects us to be competent in CNA skills prior to beginning the program. I looked at my clinical guidelines and just started freaking out a bit :/ I have not gone to orientation yet, so maybe I am wrong, but just seeing that check off list really scared me
Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.
Are you talking about certification or an actual LICENSE? (there's a difference people!).
I suspect people are using the term, certification†as the educational obtainment and licensing†as the process by which they are registered with the state, which technically is a license. Therefore, they undergo both.
I agree with others that you should watch videos on CNA skills. When you get to school, they are not going to ask you to make an occupied bed, although you may have to do it or assist in the clinical setting. A lot of the skills as a CNA could very well be tested (unofficially) when you get to clinical. There were days when the nurse I was working with was caught up so I went off to assist the CNA with their tasks. Its stuff that's good to know but it won't make or break you as a nurse at this point. You'll pick up things along the way. Just do a cursory review and start your nursing program.
I would not email the school. You have the valid certification, now is the time to brush up on what you are unfamiliar with. With my LPN to RN bridge program, they did not reteach us skills that we were supposed to know at a basic PN level. However, we were expected to know how to do all of the skills competently in a clinical setting. We were allowed to go to the school and practice in the lab on things that we may be rusty on. Some of us had been licensed for years but hadn't done trach care in decades, that was what the lab was for, refresher. You may want to ask when open labs are so that you can refresh yourself on skills that you haven't practiced in 10 years. I couldn't see a school looking down on you for this. Also, as others have said, YouTube has may tutorial videos. Some are posted by actual schools. Good luck!
I'm confused...you do have a current CNA license, right? I'm not sure why you would email them. If you really felt like emailing them, I would say something like, "I have a valid CNA license but I received it 10 years ago, what refresher courses do you suggest?" That makes you look motivated and like you want to be prepared, not like you just blew off the class the first time around.
THIS ^^ plus what Organized Chaos said. Do you have a family member or friend that will allow you to practice with gait belt and changing linen on occupied bed? That might help you gain confidence.
Nurses don't get a certification for completing the educational component and then a license from their state
I suspect people are using the term, certification†as the educational obtainment and licensing†as the process by which they are registered with the state, which technically is a license. Therefore, they undergo both.
Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.
I am sorry but how can you work as a CNA for NOC shift and not know how to do PeriCare? The skills are pretty easy. If you are accepted into nursing school, I would just refresh your skills now via youtube and not say a word. If you are really nervous call a local LTC facility and explain your a certified CNA, your going to nursing school and want to refesh your skills and see if you can shadow and experienced CNA for a week, and help with vitals ect. I bet they jump at the extra help.
1. Gaitbelts...use them if it is careplanned or if it is ever in doubt about how to transfer a patient.
2. Vitals- get a BP cuff and stethoscope now and practice practice practice
3. Pericare- privacy, wash hands, gloves, wipe from front to back, remove gloves, wash hands. Line up the depends with about the tailbone level in the back so you have enough room in the front. remember to take trash to soiled utility room with you. make sure to put call light where patient can reach it.
You will do fine but. If you are not a CNA now is the time to speak up. But the class will go over things as you get checked off.
Well in my nursing program they showed us how to make the bed then we checked off on the skill, but we didn't have to have a CNA cert.
I wouldn't email the school at all. I would Google CNA refresher courses in your state. Your school doesn't need to know at all. Or get the book from the CNA program & just go over the skills. You can do them at home. Good luck!
BeachsideRN, ASN
1,722 Posts
Just review skills videos you should be fine. do not email the program