Will my job experience be enough or should I get CNA? About to start RN program.

[Nicolecn]

I was just accepted into the RN program at my community college and am getting nervous because I've been told the majority of the people that got in have their CNA license and that the first term is all CNA related stuff and am worried I'll be behind everyone else. I have previous caregiving/med aide experience and worked for 3 years in memory care. I have experience helping with daily activities of living such as feeding, bathing changing, bed baths, transferring, using hoyer lift, etc. I also passed medications after being trained by an RN and was the person in charge of other staff when a nurse wasn't present and I evaluated and sent residents to the hospital, performed basic wound care, changed ostomy bags, checked vital signs(including manual blood pressures) charted, and faxed doctors. I am wondering if my experience as a med aide/caregiver will be enough or if it would be worth it for me to take a CNA class this summer before the RN program starts in the fall. I just haven't wanted to waste my time in the past because I felt that I had most of the same skills/training as a CNA, but wanted to get the opinion of other nurses and/or student nurses, so that I can be as successful as possible when the program starts. Thank you so much!

[brownbook]

Your job experience sounds like quite enough. I can't think of one patient care task you would learn about in a CNA course that you have not already done on your job. I think you might be surprised at how much more you know and have done compared to fellow students with a CNA license.

[verene, MSN]

I think your experience will be more than enough! You've done at least everything most CNAs have and probably then some.

[Mkakids]

You will be fine. I had ZERO medical experience when I started nursing school. I didn't even know what a pulse ox was, lol! It was fine. I probably had to study a bit more than anyone who had a CNA, but it was definitely not 100% necessary. Good luck!

[forevernursem]

I'm in a nursing program right now and I have NO job or medical experience. I'm doing just fine and been getting 100s on everything so far. Don't worry too much, you will be okay!