Would it really benefit me?

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2004

tumblebug,

I believe starting out as a CNA would be a great benefit to you.

I was a CNA for 3 years, and LPN for 7 years and have been an RN for 4 years now.

Lots of nursing homes have CNA classes that are only two weeks long, but this is not nearly long enough, IMO.

I completed a community college based CNA program that was 4 months long.

CNAs work under the supervision of a nurse. They do things which include taking and recording VS and reporting usnusual VS to the nurse ASAP, doing incontinent care, changing and turning pts, feeding pts, measuring recording and reporting I&O, feeding pts, toileting pts, dressing them, refilling water pitchers, stocking supplies, getting pts up in the morning and doing bed-time care at night.

I worked w/ a really sharp CNA who literally saved a pt's life:

I was new to a nursing home and did not know the pts/residents. At midnight rounds, one of the CNAS came up to me and said "Mr. X usually wakes up and gets mad at me when I change him, but this time he just laid there all floppy."

His breathing was fine and he appeared to be sleeping at first glance.

I checked this diabetic pts blood sugar and it was 35. His routine blood sugar check was not due until 0600. He would have been dead by then. I would not have known there was anything wrong if the CNA had not told me about him being different during rounds.

I was an LPN at the time, so I called the RN supervisor to administer IV push glucose. The pt was ok after that.

The CNA saved this man's life.

A hard-working CNA who knows her job and respects her pts and her nurses is a wonderful treasure. I highly recommend being a CNA before becoming a nurse.

Dave ARNP · Jan 4, 2004

Back in the day (Well, not that long ago but...) I was a CNA. ALOT of what I learned about how to talk with patients, came from working in that job. Granted, as a NP, I don't to many of the same things I did as a CNA..........but, it was great expeirence.

Dave, who just wishes it had taught him how to spell.

germain · Jan 4, 2004

I'm a cna now working on my RN. Its great expereince, but only pays alittle above your regions' minimum wage when you start out. You can work up quickly, depending on your job opportuinites. Once you get your CNA try home care, sometimes great hours for students, adn less stress. Nursing homes aren't as bad as people say and are great for starting out, but therea rea good and bad, so if you have a lot in your area shop around, guarenteed they are all hiring.

good luck

unknown99, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2004

ABSOLUTELY!!!

nursedawn67, LPN · Jan 4, 2004

Definately!! It is a great learning experience towards your nursing career. Good luck!!! :)

tumblebug · Jan 4, 2004

Another question. Is a nurses aide the same thing as a nurses assistant? How much does it usually pay? If you work in home healthcare do you work with a nurse?

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2004

1) Yes, those terms mean the same thing.

2) Pay varies by area -- roughly $8 to $12 per hour (straight-time) in the Northeast.

3) Usually not, but it's possible.

Good luck!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2004

I was a CNA the last six months of nursing school. I had to work the whole time I was in school. Being a CNA helped boost my confidence when I graduated.

I think if you do it prior to nursing school it will help a lot too because you will have a lot of the basics down. In my clinical group I was the only one who wasn't a CNA or a LPN and it was a tremendous disadvantage as everyone knew what they were doing except me.

Bambi · Jan 4, 2004

I agree with the above posts. I had not held any type of healthcare job before going to nursing school, and let me tell you, it would have made life a whole lot easier. Being a CNA first will be advantageous for you, because you won't be trying to learn those types of skills while trying to learn nursing skills at the same time. It will also lessen the anxiety of all this new stuff hitting you at once when you start clinicals.

CNA's work very hard and are very vital team members of the healthcare team.

tumblebug · Jan 5, 2004

Thanks a whole lot everyone. I just need to find a place to get my cna now.

1 Leg Lance · Jan 5, 2004

I went for my CNA training this summer and there are a couple of points to be made....

1) you can be a nurses aide at many places w/p formal training or with just their inhouse training...

2) a CNA is certified by the state (at least here in Az) and requires training at a state reg. instiution (can be a business or school) and involves passing a state test

3) I recommend working as a CNA (not as a uncert. nurses aide, get the full experience of training and state test) in the area you want to work as a RN, I am currently in a Med/Surg ICU because that is where I want to be as a RN. Plus I make $10+hr!

4) Make it clear to everyone you work with that you will be going on to become a RN so you want to see and learn everything. I have been taught a wealth of knowledge and I know I will be more comfortable in clinicals.

Enjoy,

1 leg lance