Will becoming a CNA help me get into nursing school?

[Miss Cassandra]

Hi everyone, I'm new and this is my first post!! :heartbeat I have a question.. I recently sat down with an advisor at a school of my interest and he suggested that getting licensed and working as a CNA will improve my chances of getting into nursing school when the time comes. Is this true? It is worth it for me to try? Thanks!!!

[sakura_k]

It certainly won't hurt.

There are a few schools in WA state that give you points towards admission if you have previous work experience as a CNA and there's one school that requires you to be a CNA before you can apply, so in those two instances...yes, it does help.

Look at it from a school's perspective - if you see someone who's worked as a CNA, you know they have experience in healthcare...and they still want to go to nursing school? Generally a good sign that the student is serious about this decision. :)

[MauriceRC]

Yes, a lot of schools not only encourage becoming a CNA before applying but they also require it.

[Miss Cassandra]

Thanks for the replies. My school does not require it.

Which one do you think would look better - CNA or EMT?

[vhinrich]

Thanks for the replies. My school does not require it.

Which one do you think would look better - CNA or EMT?

I would think CNA since you constantly work with nurses and kind of have a feel for what's going to be expected of you as a nurse.