Should I do a CNA first or go straight into the associate degree in RN?
Tuesday January 6, 2009
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I am interested in becoming an RN. I worked in hospitality for almost 10 years and am looking for a career change. Should I do a CNA first or go straight into the associate degree in RN? I am a little lost here. Also, since I have no experience in the field, how do I go about gaining valuable experience while in school?
Ingrid
It is not necessary to work as a CNA before entering nursing school unless you are not sure about your career choice. However, becoming a CNA is a good idea anyway because it is something you can do while in school; it will help you gain the valuable experience you are looking for, and it is helpful in preparing for a career in nursing. Some facilities have something called a Patient Care Associate (PCA), which is also good. And since many schools of nursing currently have a waiting list for admission, working as an aide or tech while you wait is a smart thing to do.
To learn more about the profession in general, be sure to visit the following Web sites: http://www.discopvernursing.com, http://www.nsna.org/career/index.asp, http://www.nursingsociety.org/career/cmap_become.html, and http://www.choosenursing.com.
Good luck!
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
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