How do I start off as a CNA?

Is cna a good start to nursing career?

• im getting certified as a cna in 5 weeks then getting a job at a hospital is this a good start to find out what nursing is like and also will i make ok money i have no bills except ...show more

• Answer:

  Considering that most RN programs require you hold your CNA license before you can start the nursing courses, in that aspect, yes, it's a good idea. But if you're hoping to see that CNA work is like being a "real" nurse (RN, LPN), this won't be a fair representation. Like the first answer suggested, CNAs get a lot of the tasks that nobody really likes doing - the activities of daily living, which include feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc. You have to really have a passion for helping others to be able to put up with some of the jobs that CNAs have. Nurses do so much more. Nurses will also be responsible for the duties that CNAs do - there is not a nurse who has never cleaned up feces or vomit, etc. But usually the RN will delegate those tasks to the CNA if they are available. Nurses have too much responsibility (legally) in regards to creating/following care plans, giving medications, performing assessments, coordinating care with the physician or other disciplines, charting, etc. It's more of a complex job that requires a higher level of critical thinking. So in terms of practical knowledge, working as a CNA doesn't really give you that big of an advantage as an LPN or RN since you perform so few tasks as a CNA that they would perform as LPN or RNs.