Hey everyone,

I am interested in becomeing an RN, and have been accepted into Cochran School of Nursing for the semester beginning this upoming January. I was thinking that in the meantime, since I have completed all of my prereqresites, that I should becom a CNA. There is a CNA program near me that begins this fall. What I want to know is if this will help me in my nursing career. I also want to know if I will be able to work part time s a CNA while I am in nursing school. And finally, I would like to know what the CNA program is like, if anyone has completed one already.

Thanks for your info!

~Kristen

Thanks for the info Sally!

I'm in NY, and it is not required that I be a CNA before entering nursing school... but I was also wondering if there are part time positions avilable for CNAs, because I don't think I can handle working full time while attending nursing school.

I live in Texas and it's not required to be a CNA at any point, but you can definitely tell who has experience in medicine and who doesn't.  I was a CNA for 5 years before I started even doing my prereqs, and it helps with the comfort level.  The first time you go into a patient's room with some of the power of a nurse is terrifing enough.  It helps a lot to know that even when you don't remember anything else, you can give a bath, change the bed and make them somewhat more comfortable.  Sounds lik eyou don't have much time, but the bigger variety of people you come in contact with, the better off you'll be.  I have experience in home health, assisted living, med surg, alzheimers and dementia care, basically everything except hospice.  Can't tell you how much more confidence it's given me to have these experiences.  Best of luck to you.