are there any nurses here???

**carolyns** · 02-25-2006, 06:10 PM

Hello all. I have been trying to get into a local RN program here, but they all have huge waiting lists. What I'm wondering is if I should take a C.E.N.A. 11 week program and work as I am waiting to enter the RN program, or if I just shouldn't waste money on the CENA program? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! TIA

**Blessed** · 02-25-2006, 06:50 PM

Here you have to be a certified nursing assistant before you can enter a nursing program. I'm guessing that is what you are talking about. If I'm right, I say DEFINATELY! It would be an excellent experience.

I worked as a CNA while I was in nursing school. I took LPN boards in 1992 and RN boards in 2000.

**baxjul** · 02-25-2006, 07:08 PM

I've never been a CNA. I worked as a bartender, while going to nursing school. In PA we didn't need to have CNA before nursing.

**Valerie in WA** · 02-25-2006, 08:42 PM

It's not required here, but I was a CNA for almost 4 years - some before I started nursing school, the rest during. It helped a lot, in that I was already comfortable in a hospital, familiar with some procedures and equipment, as well as the vocabulary. In *my* nursing school, they used a point system for entry (rather than a simple waiting list), you got more points for better grades, as well as points for being a CNA or LPN.

So, yes, if I were you, I would do it.

**canadian gardener** · 02-25-2006, 09:26 PM

I'd agree. It's not a requirement up here at all, in fact most nurses here in BC are either LPNs or RNs with some assistants trained for nursing homes.

I think it's an excellent idea. You can see up close what nursing is like before investing in the full and expensive training. Not everyone likes it, and I always felt that the drop out rate was high, and a big waste of people's time and money to find out mid way thru training that they preferred another career.

Once you take it, and are earning and working in the field, you can watch and see what you think.

I know if I had it to do over, I'd do the LPN and not waste the time and effort on being an RN. Less responsibility, less paperwork (yay) and almost the same pay rate here in BC.

**sunshine** · 02-25-2006, 09:37 PM

The waiting lists here are horribly long too-- Jake's girlfriend can't get in our local program until fall of 2009, if then!

Thankfully, they didn't have a waiting list when I started, or I'd be doing something else now.

CNA is required here now too, but wasn't when I went through training.

**slowtypinwoman** · 02-25-2006, 10:21 PM

Is there a glut on nurses? I know someone here who couldn't get into a school as well.

**sunshine** · 02-26-2006, 01:21 AM

Actually there is a nursing shortage-- unfortanately, nurses also are the teachers who teach the nursing classes- and there is a SEVERE shortage of them. . hence the long waiting lists to get into a program.

IL has a bill up for vote that will hopefully get more money into paying for teachers , but that will still take time.

guest7 · 02-26-2006, 01:31 AM

If you work at a hospital as an aide, they may offer you tuition reimbursement. Teaching hospitals have better 'ins' at a nursing school because the schools use the hospital for training. tit for tat.
I would recommend doing it.
Also- if you are going for a degree as RN- you may want to consider taking some of the core classes- such as sociology, psychology, englishes and maths while you wait for admittance.
This way, you'll be able to continue to work as aide and get tuition reimbursed.
If going for LPN, then this won't apply.

**babetteq** · 02-26-2006, 10:40 AM

International Nursing shortages! whatever you do, get the degree. It will serve you well.

babs-wife of nurse - soon to be NP

**AmyMCGS** · 02-26-2006, 10:43 AM

I work in a nursing home-- I'm not a nurse, but I work with a lot of them. I really believe those who worked as CNA's before they became nurses are much better at their job. They not only understand the patients' needs more, but, they also have an easier time getting along with the CNA's and getting respect among the staff.

I'd definitely recommend becoming a CNA first to anyone who wants to be a nurse.

And on a side note, here in Ohio they're not called CNA's any more, they're called STNA's (state-tested nursing assistant).

**Valerie in WA** · 02-26-2006, 01:45 PM

I would have to say that I disagree with Margery's advice to just do the LPN. I think the culture is different here in the states, compared to BC. Here LPN's earn about 50-75% of what an RN earns & the wage scale tops out after just a few years. LPN's have similar tasks, but not the same level of ultimate responsibility. LPN's do not receive the same respect that RN's do. And lastly, there are about 10 RN jobs for every 1 LPN job.

I think there is a benefit to working as an LPN while getting your RN, but I wouldn't stop after the LPN.

**canadian gardener** · 02-26-2006, 03:55 PM

I am glad you brought that up Valerie, because our areas are very different, and subject to different laws, unions and so forth so it really does alter the equation.

What works here in BC is even different than another Canadian province, let alone the USA, which has so many different States and state laws and codes etc.

Back when I began training, I was in the January placement, not the September group after I finished high school.

So I had 6 months to wait.

I got a job in a nursing home. At that time, nurses aides were untrained, and minimum wage. It was very hard work, and it was very difficult to manage on minimum wage.

I knew then that staying as unskilled cheap labour was a one way ticket to poverty, and that made getting my RN all the more needful.

And you are right about the status thing. I hate that LPNs who worked with me were not accorded the same degree of respect, but it's true.

**NoDebtMom** · 02-26-2006, 05:45 PM

I would say it wouldn't be a waste of time to be a CNA while you wait to get in to a program.

I am so dissatisfied and jaded with the nursing profession (12 years) I must run so I don't give the answer I really want to give!!

**canadian gardener** · 02-26-2006, 06:11 PM

Burnout is a significant hazard in the caring professions, I sure hear you there NoDebtMom.

For me the shift work combined with my provinces problems with health care meant that when I started to home school, I couldn't do that and work.

Simply because most nurses are on call and not given a permanent job. It saves a lot of money for the hospitals, but makes it extremely difficult to plan your life, and if there had been a permanent part time position available, I'd still be in nursing.

Well maybe not with that health break down I had a few years back.

But burn out is a hazard whether you are permanent or permanently on call, if the job conditions are always in extreme crisis mode.

something to consider but not to be afraid of.

I think that is another great reason to do this CNA thing, because you can see for yourself what the working conditions are like before investing time and money in the full training.