Hi all,

It's January so my search for a summer internship has officially begun. I'm a first year nursing student on the four year BSN track and looking for (paid) work that's related to healthcare, but can be done without any licensure.

I've tried looking online a few times for postings at healthcare centers and the only thing I'm coming up with is RN and CNA openings.

Any suggestions of positions to look for?

Claudia

Check out urgent care centers. You can often get a tech-like job there without any certifications. I was offered a position at one and I'm not even in nursing school yet, so I'm sure you'd be qualified.

I am a direct service professional at a home for mentally disabled residents. I do cares similar to being a CNA, plus I pass meds, but I didn't need any certification. There are a lot of companies that have this type of job and they are always desperate to hire. I think it's been really good experience.

Is there an issue you wouldn't want to work as a CNA?? I did a summer internship at a hospital, it was paid, and my position was nursing assistant. Depending on the state you live in you may not have to get a CNA certification. I live in Mass, completed 2 semesters of nursing school and clinical and had no problem getting a job as a nursing assistant. Some hospitals in this area will also hire (paid) nursing students to work as ER techs or patient techs. essentially these positions are similar to a nursing assistant, but depending on that particular hospital policy you may be able to do more tasks (within your scope of proactive, of course).

For me, working as a nursing assistant has been the best decision I could have made. I worked in human services for 7 years prior, so I have experience working with people, but nursing is so different. Working in a hospital has given me so much more knowledge and confidence during school and clinical.

Good Luck!

I have no issues with working as a CNA and I would love to be a nursing assistant even more. But since I don't have clinical experience or the certification I thought I might be undesirable. I live in Mass too so it makes me hopeful that you found work early on in your studies, but were you in an AD or accelerated program? The way the traditional track I'm on is I won't see clinical experience til my 5th semester, I'm only on my second now but I want to work in a hospital already! Do you think I have a chance of finding work as a nursing assistant/CNA?

Oh OK! I think I misunderstood what you were saying. I did an ADN program, so by the time I applied for my position after the 2nd semester I already had 3 separate clinical placements under my belt. But honestly I wish I had just done the CNA course and got certified while I was finishing my pre-reqs, mostly because it has been such a positive experience I would have loved to do it longer.I didn't realize BSN's started their clinicals so late.

Have you done fundamentals yet? I was reading another post on here that after taking fundamentals you can challenge the exam. Meaning you can take the CNA exam without having to take the CNA course. Or over the summer you could just take the CNA course. The red cross offers it, and actually the school I did my ADN at now offers it (Roxbury community college). I know it takes time and money, but it may be worth it!

The great thing about you being in a BSN program, vs. an ADN (aside being more employable after nursing school is over...) is that the big hospitals like nursing students for their NA positions to be on the BSN track. Brigham and Woman's specifically says that they prefer BSN students (have to admit, I am a little jealous, I would love to work there).

Best of luck! I hope you find something. :)

Here is the link to the other conversation that I found: https://allnurses.com/massachusetts-nursing/rn-students-whove-566531.html