Tired of the CNA Lecture *Mini-rant*

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I'm starting the professional phase of my nursing program in September and it seems like having a parrot on your shoulder to hear people say "you should have been a CNA first". I'm not offended by these people but it's really just frustrating to hear over and over again. Yes of course it would be great to do something that is related to something you're about to jump into first but unfortunately I and other people don't have the luxury of becoming a CNA or aide before starting nursing. Why? I don't have the money for it. It's really as simple as that. Yes they're not that expensive but that doesn't mean I can afford it. Not everyone's situation allows them the freedom to just become a CNA beforehand or I'm sure they would do it. It just seems like people don't THINK before they say things like that. It doesn't have to be much but not saying it in a way that makes it sound like I'm just someone who didn't want to do anything would be better.

Oh and I know a few people would say volunteering costs nothing and you're right it doesn't and it's not exactly an easy thing to land anymore either. I've filled out applications, given in recommendation letters and even did the silly "why do you want to volunteer at our facility" short responses. I've gotten everything from "you don't live close enough to our facility" to no responses at all to all of our volunteer positions are currently filled.

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I personally don't think being a CNA should be a requirement and frankly I think it's a waste of time (and money) when someone plans on starting nursing school after becoming a CNA. However, when I worked as a CNA, I found that the nurses who were once CNAs were actually more understanding and sympathetic towards the residents (I worked in nursing homes) and to the CNAs..they seemed to help out more when us aids were short. But a nurse can still be a great nurse without having been a CNA. Good luck!

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I found it difficult to land my volunteer position. I had 2 hospitals not even respond to my application, even with great references. But I'm glad they didn't respond because now I volunteer at a Level 1 Trauma hospital in their ED and on the oncology floor. And the manager is going to let me rotate to different positions around the hospital as I wish so I'll get to experience different environments and different patients.

If you keep searching, you should be able to find one.

You could always also volunteer with a place like Make a Wish or American Cancer Society.

I had to become a CNA to get onto my schools waitlist, but I''m not working as one, I don't have the time and resources to do that.

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Once you finish Fundamentals of Nursing, you can take the CNA exam. All you have to pay for is the exam itself. In my state, I can do that. Check with the board of Nursing in your state.

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I can understand where you're coming from.. I did the CNA training through my school, but the test to become certified was almost $200, so I never actually became certified. Maybe look into tech positions in hospitals once you have a semester of nursing school under your belt? This way you will have the NS experience to get a tech job, and then once you graduate you will have the hospital experience as a tech to maybe get a nursing job?

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Specializes in Infusion.

I tell ya, we have to be certified NAs to get into the ADN program at my school and it was very expensive in both direct costs and childcare costs. Tuition alone was $800, add drug testing and fingerprint costs, immunizations, stethoscope, scrubs, shoes, watch with second hand. Childcare was even more expensive. I had a great experience and the utmost respect for CNAs but could not have done it without significant family support.

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I personally would not worry my head about any of this now that you are starting the nursing program in September. You are facing plenty to worry about once September rolls around. Good luck with your program.

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I agree that CNA should not be required, but $$ shouldn't be an excuse as nursing homes will train you for free if you work for them (and yes, you're getting paid). I never took the certification exam but was able to work as one in a hospital. The experience I gained was very valuable but I have been shut out of a lot of nursing programs because my course means nothing and my multiple years of experience mean nothing. No certification exam = no entrance to nursing school. So frustrating!

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I'm starting the professional phase of my nursing program in September...I and other people don't have the luxury of becoming a CNA or aide before starting nursing.

Being a CNA is professional training for a nursing program.

I spent a good deal of time helping classmates who had not been CNAs during lab and clinicals throughout the year. However, if I thought they considered being a CNA some sort of luxury, I wonder if I would have helped them at all.

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My state, New York does not allow you to become a certified CNA after your first semester of nursing school.

And I wasn't aware that nursing homes would train you for free. Is this everywhere?

I'm not all that worried about it actually and I do plan to become a tech or nurse extern after the first year.

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Specializes in NICU.
Being a CNA is professional training for a nursing program.

I spent a good deal of time helping classmates who had not been CNAs during lab and clinicals throughout the year. However, if I thought they considered being a CNA some sort of luxury, I wonder if I would have helped them at all.

Being a CNA is not necessary for success in the nursing program. The CNAs in our cohort had an advantage for the first semester, but come Med/Surg, we were all in the same boat together. For some, depending on the area, becoming a CNA IS a luxury--I don't see how that would make you less likely to help your classmates who may not have been able to afford the training. Does that mean if they just flat out chose not to be a CNA, they are so much more deserving of help?

To the OP, you're not going to fail just because you didn't already become a CNA. Nursing programs are often designed for people who have NO nursing experience. Just practice your skills and keep up your confidence--you should be able to go a long ways. :)

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My state, New York does not allow you to become a certified CNA after your first semester of nursing school.

And I wasn't aware that nursing homes would train you for free. Is this everywhere?

I'm not all that worried about it actually and I do plan to become a tech or nurse extern after the first year.

I'm also in NY and boy it would be nice for them to allow you to just take the test. My certification ran out years ago, lol. I got certified when I lived in KY from a nursing home...never paid anything. Then when I moved back to NY, I had my certification switched over and my new employer offered to pay for the recertification but I had already sent in the money. Anyway....just call around.

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