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Jack
Student
Riverside, California
1
Question
Updated
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What's some advice for new nursing students?
What's something a student starting a CNA program should be aware of? How does it compare to starting immediately as a nurse? Any advice?
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1 answer
Althea Duke
Certified wound, ostomy, foot care specialist
9
Answers
Monterey, California
Updated
Althea’s Answer
Hi Jack,
This is such a great question! Starting as a CNA is one of the best decisions you can make before becoming a nurse and I’ll tell you why.
You’ll get hands-on experience and learn your fundamentals in real time, build confidence, and get used to being around patients long before nursing school even starts.
CNA work teaches you the real skills: communication, time management, compassion, and how to stay calm when things get busy. And the best part is you’ll be working right next to nurses so you can ask questions, watch how they think, and learn the flow of patient care from the inside, and get answers to questions about the textbook content and tips and tricks on how to study and navigate nursing school. You’ll get to understand that what’s in the textbook and how things go in real life don’t always coincide, but remember that for the exams and purposes of school, follow the textbook! Any and all nurses will tell you this. You can also get a jump on the different medications and what they do, side effects and such by watching, following, and asking questions of the nurses you work with, and even learn some assessment skills by observing as that’s not part of your purview as a CNA.
By the time you start nursing school, you won’t be overwhelmed. You’ll already feel comfortable with patients and the clinical environment. It gives you a huge head start.
If you’re thinking about nursing, becoming a CNA first is a smart move. It sets you up for success.
All the best,
Althea D.
This is such a great question! Starting as a CNA is one of the best decisions you can make before becoming a nurse and I’ll tell you why.
You’ll get hands-on experience and learn your fundamentals in real time, build confidence, and get used to being around patients long before nursing school even starts.
CNA work teaches you the real skills: communication, time management, compassion, and how to stay calm when things get busy. And the best part is you’ll be working right next to nurses so you can ask questions, watch how they think, and learn the flow of patient care from the inside, and get answers to questions about the textbook content and tips and tricks on how to study and navigate nursing school. You’ll get to understand that what’s in the textbook and how things go in real life don’t always coincide, but remember that for the exams and purposes of school, follow the textbook! Any and all nurses will tell you this. You can also get a jump on the different medications and what they do, side effects and such by watching, following, and asking questions of the nurses you work with, and even learn some assessment skills by observing as that’s not part of your purview as a CNA.
By the time you start nursing school, you won’t be overwhelmed. You’ll already feel comfortable with patients and the clinical environment. It gives you a huge head start.
If you’re thinking about nursing, becoming a CNA first is a smart move. It sets you up for success.
All the best,
Althea D.
Thank you so much for your response, Athena! I'm confident in my decision now to become a CNA before nursing school :)
Jack