Student Nurses automatically CNA's

In Oregon, completion of the first term of nursing school qualifies one to become a CNA. All I had to do was fill out the application and pay the fee---I didn't have to take the exam or do the practicum---and I got my certification, which I used to work as a tech in the hospital during the remaining year and a half of my nursing program. It was great experience, and it definitely was an advantage to me during my early days as an RN.

A CNA is a Certified Nurse Assistant which in most states means your take a course and then an exam to become a CNA or you are a nursing student who takes the exam and is certified as a CNA. Another option is that as a nursing student with a certain number of clinicals completed (usually two hospital based clinical rotations) then you can become an SNA (Student Nurse Assistant/Associate) or some other variation of that title, in a hospital. Usually the SNA and CNA hospital positions pay similarly (maybe a little more for SNA) but SNAs usually have fewer benefits but its a great position to get some hands on experience and a little humility for those who think that they're above doing the dirty jobs.

!Chris