HIGHER EDUCATION
Will Being a CNA Help You Get Into Nursing School?
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EveryNurse Staff
- Last Updated: 04/21/2022
Many people become certified nursing assistants (CNAs) because working in healthcare is their dream. They have a passion for helping others, and CNA certification is a relatively fast and cost-effective way to enter the healthcare field and see tangible results from their efforts.
For some, becoming a CNA is only the first step on the road to nursing school and a career as a registered nurse. CNAs provide basic patient care and perform other essential support tasks that directly impact patient health, allowing them to develop critical skills and see firsthand the difference they can make in people’s lives.
While working as a CNA does not guarantee admission into nursing school, it can give you a significant advantage when it comes time to apply. In this article, we’ll explore some of the ways being a CNA can help you get into nursing school and provide you with a foundation for success as a registered nurse.
What Skills Will You Develop as a CNA?
As a CNA, you will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills essential in your role as a registered nurse. In CNA classes, you will learn how to take vital signs, perform basic medical procedures, and provide patients with routine personal care. You will also develop essential non-clinical skills such as effective communication, active listening, and critical thinking.
These skills will help you provide better patient care as a CNA, giving you a solid foundation to build on as you pursue your nursing career. In addition, by working closely with patients and other healthcare team members, you will better understand the day-to-day reality of being a nurse. This first-hand experience will be invaluable as you transition into roles with greater responsibility.
What Are the Benefits of Being a CNA?
There are many benefits to being a CNA, both in terms of your personal development and your future career prospects. Working in close proximity to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals will give you an inside view of the daily workings of a healthcare facility. You will also have the opportunity to develop strong relationships with patients and their families, which can be extremely rewarding.
In addition, the skills and experience you gain as a CNA will be beneficial when you apply to nursing school. Many nursing programs give preference to applicants with healthcare experience, and being a CNA will provide you with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to a career in nursing.
A few lesser-known benefits of being a CNA include:
Endurance
What many people don’t realize when going into the nursing field is the constant flow of work that you will undertake. As a certified nursing assistant, you will be on your feet for long periods, moving around constantly to attend to patients’ needs. This type of work can be physically demanding, but it will also help you build the endurance to be a successful registered nurse.
Punctuality
In the nursing field, being on time is not just a matter of courtesy – it’s a matter of patient safety. As a CNA, you will be expected to arrive at your shift on time and be ready to work. This punctuality will serve you well as a registered nurse, where being late could have severe consequences for patients in your care.
Stress Management
In any healthcare setting, there will always be some level of stress present. It’s safe to say that medical care isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. As a CNA, you will learn to manage this stress in a fast-paced environment and maintain composure in challenging situations.
Flexibility
Another essential quality for nurses is the ability to be flexible. As a CNA, you will often deal with last-minute changes in shift patterns, patient numbers, and staffing levels. This flexibility will be beneficial when you are a registered nurse and have to juggle a busy schedule.
Detail-Oriented
As a CNA, you will be responsible for performing many tasks that require great attention to detail. This could range from taking vital signs and documenting patient information to ensuring that medication is administered correctly. Being detail-oriented will be essential in your future career as a registered nurse.
How Can You Use Your CNA Experience to Get Into Nursing School?
The nursing school admission process is typically very competitive, so it’s essential to put your best foot forward when applying. One way to do this is to highlight your experience as a CNA on your nursing school application.
Showcase Your Experience
The experience section of your nursing school application is the perfect place to highlight your experience as a CNA. Be sure to include any relevant information, such as the type of facility you worked in, the duties you were responsible for, and the length of time you worked as a CNA.
When describing your experience, be sure to focus on the aspects that will be most relevant to a career in nursing. Mention any special projects or initiatives you took part in and any positive feedback from patients, families, or coworkers.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Qualities
In addition to your experience, your application provides you with an excellent opportunity to showcase the skills and qualities you have developed as a CNA. For example, you could discuss how your experience has helped you develop strong relationships with patients and their families or how it has taught you the importance of being detail-oriented.
If you can connect your experience as a CNA to the qualities that are essential for success in nursing, your application is sure to stand out.
Use Your Experience to Write a Stand-Out Personal Statement
Your personal statement is another key component of your nursing school application. This is your chance to tell your story and demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the program.
When writing your personal statement, focus on how your experience as a CNA has influenced your decision to pursue higher education. What aspects of your experience have made you realize that nursing is the right career for you? How has your experience helped you develop a better understanding of the challenges and rewards of a career in nursing? Your personal statement is an opportunity to share your unique perspective and explain why you would be an asset to the nursing profession.
Use Your Experience to Demonstrate Commitment
One of the main reasons nursing school admissions committees look favorably on experience as a CNA is that it demonstrates a commitment to nursing. Pursuing higher education is a big decision, and the admissions committee wants to see that you are sure that nursing is the right career for you. If you can show that your experience as a CNA has solidified your decision to become a nurse, your application is likely to receive serious consideration.
Use Your Recommendations
References from supervisors or other healthcare professionals can be highly beneficial in the nursing school admission process. If you have a good relationship with your current or former employer, ask if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
If you have worked with any registered nurses in your previous role as a CNA, you could also ask them to provide a letter of recommendation. Having letters from supervisors and nurses will demonstrate to the admissions committee that you are well-rounded and experienced healthcare professional.
How to Transition From CNA to RN
After achieving the milestone of becoming a CNA, you may be wondering what’s next. Many certified nursing assistants (CNAs) use their experience as a stepping stone to return to school and pursue a career as a registered nurse (RN). If you’re interested in transitioning from CNA to RN, there are specialized programs that cater to your unique situation.
CNA to RN Bridge Programs
The most popular option for CNAs who want to become RNs is to enroll in a CNA to RN bridge program. As the name implies, a bridge program is designed to bridge the gap between your experience as a CNA and the education required to become an RN.
CNA to RN bridge programs give preference to students with previous nursing experience. You will often receive credit for the prerequisite courses completed during your CNA training, so you do not have to repeat coursework that you have already mastered. Additionally, you may receive course credit based on test scores or work experience. Together, these factors can dramatically reduce the time it takes to earn your RN degree – in some cases, by several semesters.
The Time Is Now
If you are interested in pursuing higher education and becoming a registered nurse, there is no better time to explore that possibility than now. With the massive amount of baby boomers aging out of the profession and a general rise in need, the demand for registered nurses is at an all-time high.
You can take advantage of this unique opportunity by leveraging your experience as a certified nursing assistant to gain admission into a nursing program. By using your experience to demonstrate your commitment and abilities, you can put yourself in a strong position to be admitted into the nursing program of your choice.
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