To be a CNA in nursing home or hospital?

bethin · Jun 28, 2007

Hi everyone! I'm a pre-nursing student, going into the RN program eventually.
I would love to be a CNA, or some kind of nursing assistant before getting into the program. The experience would be amazing, plus a couple bucks won't hurt.
I've called the local red cross, and they said they don't offer CNA courses.
I've also heard that nursing homes offer the course, and then you can work for them for a little while. But I would love to have the hospital experience.
What to do? Should I just call all the nursing homes around me and start with them? Better than nothing right?? Or should I take extra classes, become a CNA on top of my pre-reqs...and work in the hospital??
I've also heard that after your first semester or so of nursing school, you'd be eligible to become a CNA, but I'm hoping to do this before hand.
Opinions??
Thanks a lot!! :)
Sam

Check with the nursing home and ask how long you are required to work for them. If it's no time or little time I would go with them. I did my aide classes through a NH and I was not required to work for them after I got my certification. As soon as I passed I applied for a med surg position and got it. That's been 5 years ago. Most community colleges offer CNA classes too. There was a local cc I could take the classes at but I had to pay for it as opposed to getting paid by the NH even when we were doing classroom work.

I know I learned ALOT more in a hospital setting. We were not allowed to get u/a's, accuchecks or vitals in a nursing home. Basically all we were allowed to do was baths/showers and feeds. There is just too many residents per nurse for you to ask alot of questions. Everything I know I learned in my current position. Plus, I float to other depts and have done ICU frequently and have also done ER and OB. I've participated in codes, assisted dr's with c-lines and piccs, and tons of other stuff.

In my state after 1 semester of clinicals you are eligible to be a nurse extern which is alot like a CNA. Essentially you could wait until then and get a hospital job. Hospitals love to hire nurse externs because they hope that you will stay when you graduate.

Hope this helps!

niteshiftlvn07 · Jun 28, 2007

:monkeydance:Before I became a nurse I worked as an aide in a group home and home health aide/sitter for a HH agency. I liked working 1 to 1 with clients, the pace was slower, I got to know the client/family, and the hours were flexible(I worked PT on weekends while in nursing school full time). I had time to study when the client was sleeping/or watching tv.My friend in nursing school was always stressed out because she worked as a cna at a hospital. They always had her running around and she barely got lunch breaks. YOU should consider part time home health aide positions!!!

Sammygrll · Jun 29, 2007

:monkeydance:Before I became a nurse I worked as an aide in a group home and home health aide/sitter for a HH agency. I liked working 1 to 1 with clients, the pace was slower, I got to know the client/family, and the hours were flexible(I worked PT on weekends while in nursing school full time). I had time to study when the client was sleeping/or watching tv.My friend in nursing school was always stressed out because she worked as a cna at a hospital. They always had her running around and she barely got lunch breaks. YOU should consider part time home health aide positions!!!

Thanks for the tips!!

So do you feel that being a cna in a nursing home was still beneficial to you? I'm sure it's better than no training at all....right?

And i would rather have the time for studies...deffinitely!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 29, 2007

You have to check with the school to see if they offer the CNA testing or not. Mine didn't. In terms of choosing which place to work, I would say a hospital all the way. Nursing homes are more physical, but you can learn there as well if you are determined. I was a certified nursing assistant before I became an LPN, and my first position was at a nursing home. With additional training in phlebotomy, I was able to obtain a position in a hospital. To tell you the truth, while I always wanted to be an LPN, I didn't pay too much attention to what the nurses did. I wasn't blind to it, but I guess I didn't see the opportunity to ever become a nurse, so, while I watched peripherally, I wasn't that curious.

Search around for a school. Training for CNA usually lasts anywhere from 2 weeks to about 2 months.

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Jun 30, 2007

Does the school you are going to have a CNA or nursing assistant program? That's how I got my CNA is through my school. I'd check them out first.

SHELL75 · Jul 4, 2007

Look For Nursing Homes That Offer Free Classes While You Work. The Experience Will Be Priceless. Most Hospitals Don't Hire Cna's Without Experience So You'll Have To Work Up To That More Than Likely.

caliotter3 · Jul 4, 2007

The best place to take a CNA class is at the local community college. You get college credit for the class. Sometimes, it is a required class for the nursing program(s) at that school. The next best place to take the class is in adult school. Both times I was certified as a CNA, I took the class in the local adult school. You can also find the course in Regional Occupational Programs. You mention that your local Red Cross does not offer it. I would recommend taking the course at a nursing home as a last choice for two reasons. You may not want the employment commitment at that particular place and depending on the people involved, you may be getting a low level of instruction.

Another consideration is that if you want employment at an acute care hospital over a nursing home, they will look at where you were trained as a CNA. College courses usually are more impressive. And some colleges offer courses in acute care CNA after basic CNA. This course looks better to employers. Good luck with your plans.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 4, 2007

The best place to take a CNA class is at the local community college. You get college credit for the class. Sometimes, it is a required class for the nursing program(s) at that school. The next best place to take the class is in adult school. Both times I was certified as a CNA, I took the class in the local adult school. You can also find the course in Regional Occupational Programs. You mention that your local Red Cross does not offer it. I would recommend taking the course at a nursing home as a last choice for two reasons. You may not want the employment commitment at that particular place and depending on the people involved, you may be getting a low level of instruction.
Another consideration is that if you want employment at an acute care hospital over a nursing home, they will look at where you were trained as a CNA. College courses usually are more impressive. And some colleges offer courses in acute care CNA after basic CNA. This course looks better to employers. Good luck with your plans.

I didn't know that they offered an acute care CNA course. It must depend on the area. That is a good option.

caliotter3 · Jul 4, 2007

Not very many schools offer the acute care CNA course. Two of the colleges that I have been involved with offer the course. I noticed that in both, the CNA course was required for their nursing programs. Although I didn't take the classes, I made the assumption that I could have learned some useful info there.