Question about jobs in nursing school...

U.S.A. Arizona

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I was just wondering if anyone knew....

Can you get a job as a CNA or a tech (or a similar type job) after your first semester in nursing school? Or do you actually have to get certified as a CNA to get a job? I know at CHW you can apply for an externship after your first semester, but if that doesn't work out, I wanted to know what else you could apply for after the first semester. Thanks for any insight!! :bowingpur

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Most people I knew, including myself, got CNA certificates and worked as CNAs while in school. I got my LVN license and started working as an LVN. It is better to get the certification or license, in order to open up more opportunities outside of one hospital/facility chain.

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How exactly do you get a CNA certificate? Can you just go take an exam to get certified after the first semester? Or are there any other steps you need to take? Sorry so many questions...:bugeyes:

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I can give you answers for the MCCD program only.

For the RN program, no. You do not become a CNA after your first semester. There are separate classes you have to take, and I'm sure there's an exam for certification.

Just being in the RN program doesn't get you anything but an RN degree after finishing the program and passing NCLEX. Any other certifications and degrees must be separately pursued.

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Neuro, Trauma.

I also took the CNA course, but not through MCCD. I went through Star Canyon School of Nursing. Its basically in downtown phx. For the state of AZ you have to take a required 120 hours of instruction and clinical hours combined (80 hrs class and 40 clinicals). After that you are eligible to sit for the board of nursing exam which has two parts, a written and skills portion. You must pass both in order to receive you license. There are lots of places that offer the course with various schedules. Through MCCD it would be the cheapest and not the most available though. You're probably better off doing it somewhere else, faster. I was done with my course in 3 weeks.

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I also took the CNA course, but not through MCCD. I went through Star Canyon School of Nursing. Its basically in downtown phx. For the state of AZ you have to take a required 120 hours of instruction and clinical hours combined (80 hrs class and 40 clinicals). After that you are eligible to sit for the board of nursing exam which has two parts, a written and skills portion. You must pass both in order to receive you license. There are lots of places that offer the course with various schedules. Through MCCD it would be the cheapest and not the most available though. You're probably better off doing it somewhere else, faster. I was done with my course in 3 weeks.

How did you like Star Canyon? Did you think the exam was hard to pass? Do you think Star Canyon prepared you enough? Sorry for all the questions, it's just that I'm looking in to going to Star Canyon verses a community college. THank you

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I believe that Phoenix Children's Hospital allows you to become a Patient Care Tech after you have completed your Fundamentals of Nursing.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
I can give you answers for the MCCD program only.

For the RN program, no. You do not become a CNA after your first semester. There are separate classes you have to take, and I'm sure there's an exam for certification.

Just being in the RN program doesn't get you anything but an RN degree after finishing the program and passing NCLEX. Any other certifications and degrees must be separately pursued.

In my program, we received approval to take the CNA test after our first semester. During the second semester we could take an additional 6 week course and test for LPN.

Before the economic downturn, most hospitals allowed for a Nurse tech position or PCT after the first or second semester of NS.

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