Would it be best to be a CNA then an RN?

PediGIRN12 · Jun 9, 2016

You would be foolish not to be a CNA before you become a nurse. I was one for 5 years. Been a nurse almost 6 years now. Soon to be an NP [emoji3]

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Nurses deal with stool on a daily basis when toileting their patients or changing briefs or cleaning up after accidents. CNA's are not always available or even part of the care team in some facilities.

If you "can't touch poop," then I think you might need to re-evaluate your career goal.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Well, you will be touching MORE than your fair share of poop as an RN. Just wear 2 pairs of gloves on each hand. A couple of weeks ago, I was called out of report to change a loaded bed because an incontinent patient had done the do, we only had one tech, and the previous shift's techs had already gone.

If you can't touch poop, you're going to be hard-pressed to find a job as a new RN. Some of those new grads who are willing to 'touch' every body fluid imaginable are still unemployed a year or more after graduation. Think about it, you can actually FAIL nursing school if you can't or won't handle the dirty stuff.

So yes, get your CNA first to test the muddy waters (pun IS intended:D) because although the scope of practice is different between RNs and CNAs, CNA duties are INCLUDED in an RN's duties WHENEVER it is needed.

I would reevaluate my goals before sinking all this money into a career that's already going to have limitations for me....if I were you.

Good luck!.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...would it be best to be a CNA before becoming an RN? I think that being a CNA is truly helpful, but not all that necessary.

Those of us who were never certified as CNAs learned the basic CNA tasks during the first semester of nursing school, a.k.a. nursing fundamentals.

Also, in many states, you can be certified as a CNA after successfully completing the first semester of a nursing program. Hence, there might not be a need to pay for a program when you can attain the CNA certification at no cost.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...would it be best to be a CNA before becoming an RN? I think that being a CNA is truly helpful, but not all that necessary.
Those of us who were never certified as CNAs learned the basic CNA tasks during the first semester of nursing school, a.k.a. nursing fundamentals.
Also, in many states, you can be certified as a CNA after successfully completing the first semester of a nursing program. Hence, there might not be a need to pay for a program when you can attain the CNA certification at no cost.

Excellent point!!! Had this been an NCLEX question, I would have gotten it wrong because although my answer is true, the best answer to the question ASKED is right here. :yes:

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Jesus willing, I will graduate from RN school this coming December 2016. I have no healthcare background. Towards the end of my first semester (it might have been just after), I asked the lead clinical instructor (ex-(old school)-army nurse with lots of experience her thoughts on my becoming a CNA after the second semester (once we had our long term care and first set of hospital clinical experience).

I was surprised when she resoundingly said no. I asked her why. She explained that aides including CNA's often pick up habits and thought processes along the way that they have to unlearn in RN school. While I still look back on her thought process. We lost half our class during our first semester. At least half of them had their CNA license. We lost another 3rd in the 1st half of the second semester; almost all of them have their CNA license. Now, about 60% of our existing graduating class has their CNA licenses. So I'm not sure if what she shared was factor or not. I do know that having absolutely no healthcare background only provided a challenge during the two semesters (mainly in terms of getting used to the hands on).

NewMurse1014 · Jun 9, 2016

What's up with pre-nursing students who can't handle bodily fluids/poops? Isn't it something that people should expect to do on a daily basis as a nurse? Not directed at you OP but it's part of the job especially when there's no CNAs available.

As far as being a CNA before RN, I personally didn't have any healthcare experiences before becoming an RN. I learned the basics of CNA during nursing fundamentals. But given your situation, I agree with previous posters that you might want to try CNA first before throwing in the money for nursing program. Maybe even reevaluate your career choice as an RN.

ART_Princess · Jun 9, 2016

Looking back, I worded it ****** (pun intended). I tried to beat my computer before it crashed again.

Anyway: I'm not saying I can't touch it (because believe me, when you get sick as frequently, **** is NOT a scary substance to see.) How do you go about it without getting sick? Just double down on gloves? Or?

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Looking back, I worded it ****** (pun intended). I tried to beat my computer before it crashed again.
Anyway: I'm not saying I can't touch it (because believe me, when you get sick as frequently, **** is NOT a scary substance to see.) How do you go about it without getting sick? Just double down on gloves? Or?

You will have to find what works for you. But that will involve moving on from your stance of "I can't." Trust me, you would not even make it past first semester clinicals with that attitude.

If you can change your outlook to "I hate this task but I will find a way to get it done," your chances of success will drastically multiply.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

I was surprised when she resoundingly said no. I asked her why. She explained that aides including CNA's often pick up habits and thought processes along the way that they have to unlearn in RN school. While I still look back on her thought process. We lost half our class during our first semester. At least half of them had their CNA license. We lost another 3rd in the 1st half of the second semester; almost all of them have their CNA license. Now, about 60% of our existing graduating class has their CNA licenses. So I'm not sure if what she shared was factor or not. I do know that having absolutely no healthcare background only provided a challenge during the two semesters (mainly in terms of getting used to the hands on).

I've seen this in my program as well. For many of them it was because they relied on their experience ("in this scenario in my job XYZ happened.") and not the nursing theory they're being tested on. I know a lot of them get hung up on prioritization/UAP/NAP questions because they've done XYZ skill in their job, even if it's not in the scope we've been taught in school.

allnurses Guide · Jun 9, 2016

Put "CNA before RN" into the search engine up top. You'll see that this is a very frequent question and lots and lots of threads available.

I'll say what I usually say. No you do not have to be a CNA prior to becoming a nurse. You learn all the patient personal care information in the first 6 weeks or so of nursing school.