Want to gain experience before Nursing School!!!

Acrlady · Jan 9, 2008

Working as a CNA is a great place to start. The pay is lousy, the work hard, sometimes the rewards are great, but you get to see a little of what the field is all about. Most LPN's get to do CNA work, since they almost always do total patient care, so by the time you make LPN you will be an old hand at the personal care. Congratulations and good luck!

scallywags · Jan 9, 2008

I would recommend you work as a CNA. Some of my classmates that were CNAs prior to becoming LVNs reported that they had jobs waiting for them at their current employers and others (who were CNAs) had a very easy time finding a job.

Good luck :)

MAmom81 · Jan 10, 2008

Working as a CNA is a great place to start. The pay is lousy, the work hard, sometimes the rewards are great, but you get to see a little of what the field is all about. Most LPN's get to do CNA work, since they almost always do total patient care, so by the time you make LPN you will be an old hand at the personal care. Congratulations and good luck!

Thanks so very much:w00t:!!! I really appreciate the advice. I called my Community College and they said the next CNA classes are in the summer and the CNA classes are only 4 weeks long-Perfect!!! Since I am currently enrolled for Spring 2008-Elementary Human Anatomy & Physiology that will give me priority registration, so as soon as I can I will definitley register for the CNA classes-I cannot wait!!!:cheers: :nurse: :dncg:!!!

MAmom81 · Jan 10, 2008

I would recommend you work as a CNA. Some of my classmates that were CNAs prior to becoming LVNs reported that they had jobs waiting for them at their current employers and others (who were CNAs) had a very easy time finding a job.
Good luck :)

Thanks so much, that is exactly why i want to become a CNA first!!! My Community offers CNA classes this summer and since I am registered for Spring 2008-A&P I get priority registeration for the summer so as soon as I can I will register for the CNA classes!!! I cannot wait to start:clpty::urck:!!! I really appreciate your advice and tips!!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 10, 2008

As others have said, CNA is the way to go. Find out if they hire CNAs in your area, and within a month, you should be taking their certification exam, and on your way! Good luck!

pink4flower · Jan 17, 2008

Hi guys

So it looks like doing the CNA before LVN is a good way to go, but what about MA?

MAmom81 · Jan 17, 2008

Hi guys
So it looks like doing the CNA before LVN is a good way to go, but what about MA?

If I do the MA it's a little more expensive but if I do the CNA program it's only 4 weeks long and once I finish that I can take the CNA state exam and when I pass I can start working!!!

Acrlady · Jan 18, 2008

I did the CNA to Med Aide route. The MA is not really required, but it helped me enormously with the drugs. I knew they were going to be hard for me, so I went ahead and started early. :banghead:

I worked as a CNA while I took the MA class, and I worked as both during LPN school. I recommend that you not work if at all possible during LPN school. For some reason though, my bills didn't stop coming just 'cause I started school. :grn:

I graduated in Dec :grad: and I sit my boards for Lpn on Feb 1st so I"m hoping all the studying will pay off. :wine:

MedicalLPN, LPN · Jan 18, 2008

I worked as a CNA for 2 years while in LPN school. I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going into nursing and wants to do bedside care. Being a CNA gives you SO MUCH invaluable experience not only with doing basic patient care but also gives you a chance to observe various procedures (ex. foley cath insertion, IV starts, NG tube insertions, suctioning, code blue, etc) especially if you work in a hospital or skilled care unit in a long term care facility.

Also, being a CNA allows you to get your foot in the door and gives you a greater chance of being hired at the facility upon completion of your LPN program plus you'll be making decent money while doing it. In my area typical wages for CNA's starts anywhere $9-11 an hour which isn't bad.

All in all, I really think it's wise to be a CNA before becoming a nurse, gives you so much experience plus allows you to be able to better appreciate the role of the CNA which will make you better able to communicate and delegate with CNA's once your a nurse. Best luck to you!

MAmom81 · Jan 18, 2008

I did the CNA to Med Aide route. The MA is not really required, but it helped me enormously with the drugs. I knew they were going to be hard for me, so I went ahead and started early.
I worked as a CNA while I took the MA class, and I worked as both during LPN school. I recommend that you not work if at all possible during LPN school. For some reason though, my bills didn't stop coming just 'cause I started school. :grn:
I graduated in Dec :grad: and I sit my boards for Lpn on Feb 1st so I"m hoping all the studying will pay off. :wine:

Wow!!! thanks so much for the advice. I know bills never stop coming!!! Once I finish the CNA classes I might try the MA!!!:caduceus:I wish you the best on your boards:anpom::anpom::anpom:!!!

MAmom81 · Jan 18, 2008

I worked as a CNA for 2 years while in LPN school. I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going into nursing and wants to do bedside care. Being a CNA gives you SO MUCH invaluable experience not only with doing basic patient care but also gives you a chance to observe various procedures (ex. foley cath insertion, IV starts, NG tube insertions, suctioning, code blue, etc) especially if you work in a hospital or skilled care unit in a long term care facility.
Also, being a CNA allows you to get your foot in the door and gives you a greater chance of being hired at the facility upon completion of your LPN program plus you'll be making decent money while doing it. In my area typical wages for CNA's starts anywhere $9-11 an hour which isn't bad.
All in all, I really think it's wise to be a CNA before becoming a nurse, gives you so much experience plus allows you to be able to better appreciate the role of the CNA which will make you better able to communicate and delegate with CNA's once your a nurse. Best luck to you!

Thanks so very much, I really appreciate your advice it's so help:saint::tku:!!! you are so helpful and kind and I will definitley register for my CC CNA classes this Summer 2008!!! thanks again for the support!!!