Right now, I am a sophomore, and I am on the path to get my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistance) in my senior year. However, I have to opportunity to graduate early in my junior year. I am just wondering if i stay in high school for my senior year and get my CNA, what should I do after that step is completed?
Hey could I ask you a question of my own? How do you get a CNA and what does it help you with? I want to go pre- med too.
Sorry for such a late response, but I have been taking Health Science classes at my school in South Carolina since last year when I was a freshman. When I'm a senior, I can take a class called "Clinical Studies." It's a class that allows us to go to a local nursing home and practice basic life support skills, and basic nursing care. I'm not entirely sure how many schools do that type of thing, but my recommendation would be to ask around at your school for those opportunities.
Also, having my CNA will help me after I graduate, I will be able to apply for a job at a hospital. I'm pretty sure it's the first step into the medical field. Since you are interested in pre-med, and if your school doesn't offer Health Science or Clinical Studies, my next recommendation would be to start volunteering at nursing homes or hospitals to get the practice and experience.
I’m attempting to do the same thing as you are and my high school offers the same exact program. After lots of thought I’ve decided that i’m not going to graduate earlier. The CNA program can give you lots of experience and many skills that medical schools with look for after pre-med. It shows determination and consistency which is one major thing good colleges look for. If you graduate earlier, it only gets you ahead by one year. If you certify for your CNA, you can get a job as one in a nursing home and it will definitely help you get a job while you’re in college no matter where that may be. If you graduate earlier, you miss out on this opportunity completely and although it’s very exciting and impressive to graduate earlier, sticking through the program is much more impressive. It doesn’t come off as “you’re intelligent” when you graduate early (especially leaving the program behind when you want to be in that field anyways), it comes off as “i want to get out of here ASAP.” On top of that, you miss out on more extracurricular activities that most colleges look for in application and you miss the full high school experience that you will most definitely miss when you get older. This is all my opinion but i thought it would be super beneficial to you. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions! I’d be happy to help :)
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For additional advice, I will refer you to this site: (https://forums.studentdoctor.net/). It is essentially the “CollegeVine” for aspiring medical students. I believe CollegeVine can provide great advice for you, but I think SDN can provide specialized assistance for these needs.