Should I work as a CNA before starting Nursing School?

[eleah2]

Hi there!

I have just finished a CNA course, and passed my state boards a couple weeks ago. I am now a Certified Nursing Assistant! However, I just found out that I have just gotten accepted to the nursing program for this Fall. My question is, should I work as a CNA for the next couple of months before starting nursing school? Will it help me as far as knowing a little bit more in nursing school, and will it help me land a job faster as a nurse with CNA experience under my belt? Or does it not matter at all? I want to spend the last 5 months with family, and just enjoying myself before I have no life! I also don't want to miss out not working as a CNA for the experience. I am stuck, not knowing what I should do. I know there are many of you who are way more experienced then I am, and I would love your input! Thank you so much for your time!

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

Yes, definitely! I have always felt working as an STNA for 6 months or more should be mandatory for any nursing program. You will be much more comfortable with basic care and can focus your attention to nursing skills rather than getting the hang of cleaning and bathing a patient at the same time. PRN commitments usually aren't that stressful. I work PRN as an LPN while in my bridge program and only have to work two shifts/month. I have a family as well and its still been doable. GL!

[sstei5988]

You don't absolutely need it, but I think it is beneficial. I didn't get my CNA license until after my first semester of nursing but I think working as one has helped a lot. It helps to get that interaction with patients as well as nurses. I strongly dislike nurses that act like they are above doing any type of CNA type of work. If they are in a pt's room and the pt needs to use the restroom, they can put them on the toilet themselves rather than going and finding the CNA to do it.

[Nursing pursuit]

I wouldn't hold off on nursing school. I'm a PCA which is the CNA version in a hospital and I wouldn't say it's worth it. Sure you learn stuff on the job but it's also taught in school.

[ThatOneDude822]

I would wait a little bit, just because going into nursing school is stressful enough without having a pretty high stress job on top of it. Try getting used to nursing school, and then apply for work. Maybe do fundamentals and Med/Surg 1 (or whatever comes after fundamentals at your school) and then find a PRN job if you still feel comfortable with it. You will go over the CNA Skills again in fundamentals, and you will never stop using them after that, so you won't lose any of the skills you learned when you were becoming a CNA, because you will be using those skills everyday.

[summerly]

I was a CNA for all 4 years of school. I learned so much working in the hospital and I worked in peds, which was at the time where I wanted to work. I got an interview right away after I graduated and was hired. It's definitely worth it. Work PRN or part time! You will reap the benefits in the end and be so much more comfortable knowing where everything is on the unit, the computer system, the people, etc, when trying to get an RN position.