List CNA training in work/activities?

[nfo2010]

Debating whether I should list CNA training in work/activities. I became certified last fall but have not worked specifically as a CNA since. The main reason I want to is because I can use it to allude to the fact that I plan on working as a CNA during my upcoming gap year (it answers the unasked questions of what I'm going to be doing). Secondary reasons include a) it took up a lot of time, 26 hours/wk + commute while working part-time and going to school full-time, and b) the clinicals did give me additional patient contact experience, although I'm not hurting for patient contact experience in my app.

Thoughts? Thanks!

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[Doctor246853]

Debating whether I should list CNA training in work/activities. I became certified last fall but have not worked specifically as a CNA since. The main reason I want to is because I can use it to allude to the fact that I plan on working as a CNA during my upcoming gap year (it answers the unasked questions of what I'm going to be doing). Secondary reasons include a) it took up a lot of time, 26 hours/wk + commute while working part-time and going to school full-time, and b) the clinicals did give me additional patient contact experience, although I'm not hurting for patient contact experience in my app.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Of course list that on your app. I got mine a few years ago and worked as a tech..Put everything leave nothing...(my motto)

 

[Catalystik]

It seems redundant to list it in the Experiences section when it's already apparent from your transcript. Why not just allude to it in your PS somehow? And if you have not yet landed a CNA job, do you feel comfortable making a statement of intent that may not pan out? It might be better to save that news for an update letter after you start the new job.

 

[nfo2010]

Thank you both. Catalystik, it's not listed on my transcript, it was a course I took at a career center (vocational training, I guess), not my university, so it's not something I received a grade, credits, or a transcript for. I just had to put in the class hours and pass the state test. That's not something I have to prove with transcripts, is it?

I do have a job lined up for my gap year, but it doesn't start for another two weeks and I'd like to submit this app before then. It's not a CNA-specific job, but it's in a doctor's office and I'll have CNA-esque duties. At this point, I'd feel more comfortable feeling out the job for a couple weeks and mentioning it in a follow-up letter like you suggest, or in my secondaries if there's a spot where I can enter it.

 

[organdonor]

Absolutely list it. I don't understand why you wouldn't list (probably) the most medically relevant certification that you have to medical schools? I do CNA type work as a patient care tech. I'm not certified so bear with me. Isn't there a spot on the application where you can put in licenses or certifications? and can you not reference your CNA license?

 

[Catalystik]

it's not listed on my transcript, it was a course I took at a career center (vocational training, I guess), not my university, so it's not something I received a grade, credits, or a transcript for. I just had to put in the class hours and pass the state test. That's not something I have to prove with transcripts, is it?

Here is the link to the AMCAS instruction booklet: http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2011amcasinstructions.pdf

which says that you are required to submit a transcript for all post-high school education, and if there is no transcript, to get a letter from the institution that explains that. If you got no grades, there is no downside if you didn't do well. I think it would be nice to have included on your official application transcript so adcomms see how busy you were during that time. It would reflect well on you.

 

[Suenya]

I've known a few EMTs (no CNAs though) applying, and none of them have done anything about their EMT training in terms of transcript (or lack thereof). I think it's pretty standard to put something like that in your activities section. You can mention in the description that you will be doing this during the gap year as you mentioned.

I wouldn't worry about it at all unless you are running out of activity slots to use.

 

[metalgirl14]

I included a transcript for my CNA class....I think you have to. I didn't list the class in my ECs though because I figured it would be redundant.

 

[nfo2010]

Interesting, I'm glad I asked! Thank you again everyone for your help.

So it sounds like I need the career center to forward a letter to AMCAS saying I took the CNA class there, but that no transcript is available (as far as I'm aware).

I assume I also need to reference the career center in the schools attended section as well? This particular career center is not listed in my state under the possible choices of colleges, should I select "other" and fill out the name? It's not going to look silly listing a career center as a college, is it? The AMCAS instruction booklet isn't clear when it comes to post-secondary education that isn't college-level or taken at a college.

 

[futureNCmed]

I did not send anything to prove I took the CNA class nor did I send any transcripts for a continuing education Spanish for Health Care Profesionals class I took at a Community college during my gap year (there was no grade for either). I touched on both of these in different sections of my work/activities. I talked about the CNA in my "medical certifications" title, where I also talked about CPR/First Aid etc...

I got lots of interviews, 2 acceptances and several waitlists and never once did anyone ask me where my transcripts were from these activities.

Unless somethign has changed since last cycle, I don't they need all of that. If there is an official rule, I can vouche for the fact that they don't really enforce it. I guess if they wanted to check up on you they could look you up on the national registry....