Student Nurses automatically CNA's

I got a job as a CNA after 2 semesters but the applications in most places stated at least one semester as CNA. I live in Ma.

I see..well I think that's pretty much what's going to happen to me..b/c my first clinicals are all basic, and i will be working in a nursing home primarily. this is good news then b/c nxt yr i can get started with a real job! hope i stay this excited lol

I think you can be called a 'Nursing Assistant', but you aren't certified unless you ARE certified. The certification part comes from the state, after taking a test and passing the written and clinical sections in front of an independent tester. Certified means you have a number registered with the state on their registry. Plenty of nursing schools don't teach the basic NA skills, doing the NS classes doesn't mean you have a CNA. I am lucky that my NS requires us to get our CNA in the first 8 weeks and we practice in the lab and 5 weeks in an actual LTC setting before we test.

At my school, you MUST take a CNA course before you can enter the nursing classes. They teach you a lot of basics that you do NOT learn in nursing school (even things like how to give a bed bath!). I think it's also just good experience for what may be in store for you later. Plus, you get certified with the state and can get a job to gain even more experience while you're in school.

It was important to me to be a CNA before entering my LPN program begins. This was because 1, I know there is so much basic care you learn as a CNA that is not covered in nursing school and 2, it wouldn't hurt to start clocking hours in my Danskos as on the floor working experience for when I graduate as a new LPN and need to find a job.

I did just find out that at the end of the first semester of my program, you can send your information to the state to sit for the state exam for certification as a CNA. I don't know if this is common now that many schools are not requiring CNA for admission, just points towards it. I graduated from classes and clinicals today and will sit for my state test on August 29th.

Goodtime Girl is correct though, you cannot call yourself certified or become certified just by completing your first term/semester of school. Certification can only come from the state.

A CNA is a Certified Nurse Assistant which in most states means your take a course and then an exam to become a CNA or you are a nursing student who takes the exam and is certified as a CNA. Another option is that as a nursing student with a certain number of clinicals completed (usually two hospital based clinical rotations) then you can become an SNA (Student Nurse Assistant/Associate) or some other variation of that title, in a hospital. Usually the SNA and CNA hospital positions pay similarly (maybe a little more for SNA) but SNAs usually have fewer benefits but its a great position to get some hands on experience and a little humility for those who think that they're above doing the dirty jobs.

!Chris

In Oregon, completion of the first term of nursing school qualifies one to become a CNA. All I had to do was fill out the application and pay the fee---I didn't have to take the exam or do the practicum---and I got my certification, which I used to work as a tech in the hospital during the remaining year and a half of my nursing program. It was great experience, and it definitely was an advantage to me during my early days as an RN.

I know its wicked off topic but who is that little kid in your profile? How cute!!

!Chris

A CNA is a Certified Nurse Assistant which in most states means your take a course and then an exam to become a CNA or you are a nursing student who takes the exam and is certified as a CNA. Another option is that as a nursing student with a certain number of clinicals completed (usually two hospital based clinical rotations) then you can become an SNA (Student Nurse Assistant/Associate) or some other variation of that title, in a hospital. Usually the SNA and CNA hospital positions pay similarly (maybe a little more for SNA) but SNAs usually have fewer benefits but its a great position to get some hands on experience and a little humility for those who think that they're above doing the dirty jobs.

!Chris

I agree with Chris.

I am about to enter my second year in the RN program and I just applied for the CNA certification. One of my professors said that if you talk to a facility they may hire you on but it's probably not wise if you are not certified. So, I'm waiting on my test dates. [=

At my school after the first 12 weeks we were eligible for certification through equivilency. I never took that opportunity up though.

My school doesn't require a CNA license before starting the program, but you're more likely to be accepted if you have one and you have experience. You can take the state exam in MO after you've completed the first semester of an RN program. That's what one of the girls at work did.