[huntmalmom]

what is a good job to do while pursuing a nursing career??? I have no previous medical experience and this is a 2nd career for me. Seeing as how i have to work-i'd rather work at something that will help me in the future. I have to work b/c i'm the primary breadwinner of the family-hubby works just doesn't make enough to support family of 4.

[ERRNTraveler]

During nursing school, I worked as a certified pharmacy technician- helped me to ace pharmacology! I also worked as a CNA, which helped to "get my feet wet" with patient care.

[huntmalmom]

Do you not need any training/certificate ect. to work as either a CNA or pharmacy tech?

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

To be a CNA, you need to take a course and take a test. However, a lot of facilities will hire you as a nursing assistant, in which case you just get on the job training. I highly recommend doing one of the two while you are in nursing school, as it helps you in countless ways (prioritizing, learning what it's like in healthcare, learning all the tricks of patient care...).

[ERRNTraveler]

To be a certified pharmacy technician, you have to take a certification exam, which my employer at the time (Walgreen's) paid for me to take.

[dorselm]

I was an accountant before starting NS. To get some insite in the healthcare field, I went to a local nursing home and applied for a job as a CNA. They gave me on the job training and paid for me to get my certification. I can honestly tell you that it is helping me alot. I am not nervous when dealing with patients, I can do vitals like nobody's business and I know how to bathe, feed, dress and toilet a patient. Although nurses don't do this very much, there will be times when it will be necessary and I will be able to thoroughly do my job whether we are short CNA's or not. Also, it helps me to learn how to prioritize my day. When I become a nurse, I'm going to have to learn prioritization on a higher level but the experience that I have as a CNA will definitely help. It won't get me through school but it definitely makes it a smoother transition.

[moetiny]

i agree with the above comments...becoming a CNA was the best thing i did while in NS. i was just like u and had no clue how to do anything and doing CNA work really made me feel more confident during clinicals. it also helps u get a feel for wat nurses really do besides "just pass meds" and lets u see if ur ready for the major workload.