is it a waste?

tokmom, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2012

NO! You will learn to work a hospital floor, making clinicals a bit easier.

The most important reason? Learning to walk in another persons shoes. There is nothing worse then a new grad full of RN-itis who has no idea how to be a CNA.

ETA: Just because you end up with RN behind your name, doesn't mean you won't be responsible for ADL's. BSN or ADN and even LPN.

danarooo, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2012

I'm assuming your going for your BSN? If so then I would say no, you can work as a CNA while going to school and get a good look at nursing and what goes on in healthcare in general. You will also have healthcare experience which will help you get your first nursing job, and believe me in this economy you will need that additional help.

It's a good idea to get a look at nursing, a friend of mine held onto her polyanna view of nursing up until her first job, which she is now realizing can be stressful and brutal (as many professions can be, especially in healthcare). Also, being a CNA will help you as an RN because you will be working alongside CNA's, and there are a lot of nurses and others who don't understand or respect CNA's and thus don't get as much help from them.

PeepnBiscuitsRN · Feb 13, 2012

I don't know about anywhere else, but in my location you have to be a certified nursing assistant, or PCA or PCT...whatever they call them. That or an LPN. For the program I graduated from, you actually had to have experience working, at least 6 months in the medical field. So we had people who were CNA's and the like, and surgical techs, lab techs and RT's. Then there was the bridge program for LPN-RN and Paramedic-RN. I hear tell they're starting a CMA-RN now too, which I'll be interested in seeing how that pans out.

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 14, 2012

CNA makes for a great student job.

Not only do you have a flexible schedule, but you earn money, learn basic nursing skills, and make useful contacts who can help you find an RN job when you graduate.

mee9mee9 · Feb 14, 2012

im pursuing a non nursing bachelors degree. realizing at the last minute i have no desire to pursue a job in my major and would rather pursue a cna career till i can get my bsn

fsh1986 · Feb 15, 2012

If you don't want to take a CNA course, you can be considered a "student nurse" after you finish your fundamentals semester of the BSN, which is basically a student doing CNA work. Either way, doing it like this, or doing a weekend CNA course, is a good idea because you'll then be considered an internal applicant when you apply for an RN position after graduation.

Despareux · Feb 15, 2012

No way! I wish I would have pursued a CNA certification before or during nursing school. If you are in Michigan, you can become a CNA after taking and passing your fundamentals in nursing school--no CNA courses required, just special paperwork is all.

i♥words · Feb 15, 2012

It depends.

The nursing school I am slated to attend teaches you how to be a CNA (do those particular jobs) within the first semester of nursing school. Then after the first semester you can become a nurse extern, a student nurse working at a hospital doing, basically, CNA type jobs. So in this scenario, if you are about to be or are already in the nursing program there isn't much reason to become a CNA.

But, if you aren't in a BSN program or nursing school yet, I'd say go for it.

rubato, ASN, RN · Feb 16, 2012

We have to become CNAs before we can even apply to our school. Great idea, because it gets your foot in the door and teaches you how to do basic care. I'm not working as a CNA only because I don't have to right now, but it was invaluable information.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 16, 2012

In my opinion, NO.

Anything you can do to better yourself and gain experience is great!!

good luck to you, mee!

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2012

not if you use it and work as a CNA through nursing school