I am 27 & ready for a different career. I would like to get into the medical field and one day become a RN and work with infants. I applied to my local college and the problem is I did terrible in high school and I have never taken the SAT or ACT test so the college is telling me I will have to start out with a mini-certificate in CNA and work my way up. Which is ok with me. But everyone I tell this to is constantly telling me that CNA work is not worth it, it's filthy, dirty work that won't amount to anything. I am getting really discouraged. People keep telling me I should skip all that & go straight into the RN program but I can't. The college already told me that I would have to start with a mini-certificate....even a LPN is a certificate & I can't even start with that. Please provide any encouragements & your advice on how I can get started in the medical field if my only option is to first get my CNA? And what can I expect? Thank you :-)
2007-10-23 09:49:55 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Health Care
The school that I attended for my BSN required the studemts to hold a CNA certification- and honestly, working as a CNA will really help you as a nurse. A CNA is a really important part of the health care team, and I am so glad that I worked as on prior to becomming an RN. You really learn alot about caring for people, and relating to them. There is nothing dirty or discusting about the work of a CNA. It is honest hard work, and a needed part in health care. Get you r CNA, work as a CNA and work to get your RN in the meantime. You will not regret it!
2007-10-23 20:49:48 · answer #1 · answered by Penny P 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First let me say that CNAs are a vital part of the nursing team. But I have never heard of a nursing school requiring anyone to be a CNA first. That would be tanamount to saying if you want to be an RN you have to be a CNA, then an LPN then an RN. If you want to be a doctor you have to be an MA then a PA then an MD.
The whole idea is ridiculous. First, find out what nursing programs are available in your area, or where you are willing to go. Then determine their admission requirements. Don't discuss it with them...get their admission criteria from the posted material in the college handbooks or online. If they require the SAT, go to a local SAT prep course center and study for the SAT and take it, or talk to the school admission office to determine if you have a waiver. Get accepted to the school and start your basic prerequisite courses. Whether it is an ADN or BSN program you will have 18-24 months of prerequisites to complete before nursing school. When you have a proven record of college level courses then apply to the nursing program. If you do not meet the requirements for admission by that time, you may not have been meant to be an RN in the first place.
Good Luck!
2007-10-23 18:28:07 · answer #2 · answered by US_DR_JD 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd find another community college RN program!!!
Most of them care very little about your high school transcripts, they just want you to have a diploma or GED to get admitted to the school itself. The nursing program is a separate application process after you've taken a few courses. Usually your GPA that is looked at for entry into the RN programs are based only on your college courses that you have earned.
At another school you should be able to take general education courses that can be used as your prerequisites for nursing as well as for your gen ed requirements for your associates degree. After a semester or two, voila! you have a new, decent college GPA, and you'll be ready to take the ACT and get a decent score once you've taken some basics like biology, math, and English.
You just picked the wrong school! Start calling around and ask to meet with their advisors before you commit to a school.
Working as a CNA can be helpful to some people, and some nursing programs require that you hold your CNA in order to be accepted. My school required it, and I used my state's "test-out" option to earn the certification, but I never worked a single day as a CNA. I don't think I am any worse of a nurse for not having done it, either. Your first semester of nursing courses are essentially an advanced CNA course anyway.
2007-10-23 10:10:03 · answer #3 · answered by Take A Test! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I started out as a CNA and worked my way up. It makes you a much better supervisor if you have done your fair share of wiping butts yourself. The CNAs below you someday will appreciate it more than you know.
As for that school, I can kind of see their point. If you didn't do well in high school, they probably want you to prove yourself one step at a time. They can't let just anyone become a nurse, it's important to know you can learn and retain what you need to be a good one.
2007-10-23 11:33:05 · answer #4 · answered by Someday Soon 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
at 27 shouldnt you be exempt from having to have SAT scores? Find another college, if it's the only one around you and you have to have SAT scores then take the test. CNA's are a great asset to the medical field but they do work very hard for their money
2007-10-23 13:27:36 · answer #5 · answered by RN 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think getting your CNA is a great idea...Yes its hard work and doesn't pay well like other nursing jobs...When I worked as a CNA I felt like the nurses who worked as CNA's first were better nurses and supervisors because they had been in that position before. The nursing home I worked for payed for my CNA and offered to pay for my LPN as long as you work for them for X amount of time.
2007-10-23 10:00:58 · answer #6 · answered by Lolligager 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a CNA I would recommend that you do this. Many hospitals and nursing homes will actually pay you to go to college and become a nurse. It is hard and sometimes disgusting work. If you can handle being a nurse's aide you can handle being a nurse no problem. Good luck to you.
2007-10-23 11:10:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Find another school. If there isn't one close, go and take either your ACT or SAT. If that doesn't work out, start at a community college and raise your GPA for a semester or two.
2007-10-23 11:38:17 · answer #8 · answered by Steve is cool 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True that. Not just love stories. It's foolishness to compare any part of life with movies.
2016-05-25 05:32:32 · answer #9 · answered by laquita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋