Will be a CNA help me find an RN position?

[LoveMyBugs]

I have been a CNA for 3 years, 1 year in LTC and 2 in ED. I am starting my 2nd year in nursing school. What I am wondering is how much my CNA experince would help me in finding that first new grad job. Would it put me ahead of other new grads with no hospital experience at all? I am asking because I am considering quiting my job while I finish my last year in school, so I can focus more on school, but if having some experience helps me than I would contiue working.

I really like where I work and I would love to work there as a RN, but with the economy there is no promis of a job when I graduate.

Then I also worry about not being able to find a RN job at all when I graduate and I would much rather work in the ED than a LTC while trying to find that first job.

[prinsessa]

It may or may not. I worked as a nurse extern for a year while in school and it didn't help me one bit! Hopefully the economy will be better when you graduate from school. I have been looking for a job since April/May and can't find anything. I would keep working because I don't think it can hurt. And I learned a lot working in a hospital while being in school. I would hear something in school and be like "wait....I remember something like that at work". I would only quit if it was hurting you at school.

[FutureDeputy]

Ouch... that reply alone is going to get you flamed big time on this board... my sister just quit her job today , it wasn't something for her.. being a Can should be a great foot in the door to become a nurse... definetly give u the upper hand over a graduate.. doing security work helps a candidate to become a cop etc.

I've seen on here that a hospital wouldn't even accept experience gained at a hospice for a RN. I doubt working as a CNA counts as experience with the few tasks they perform. A CNA doesn't do paperwork, give pills, IVs and all that stuff.

I would become a CNA myself but jobs for CNA are so scarce that I'm not even going to waste my time. If you leave your CNA job I doubt you could get another one for income.

[dortheadix]

ANY experience will help. While CNA experience may not be counted towards RN experience in regards to pay steps it most certainly will be of benefit to you. Understanding all roles of the healthcare team will make you a better nurse. If you are already working you must be aware of the flexibility in positions with regard to schedules. Stay on in a position that requires the minimum commitment such as one shift per month. This way you can still maintain certifications, CEUs, employee health screenings etc. while staying current in the job market. A current employee transferring to a new position/dept or sister facility is more financially viable for any business. And working while going to nursing school demonstrates to potential employers great time management and life balancing skills-very important skills for a nurse to possess!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Actually, my opinion and experience as a Recruiter is, that it will help you. If you can manage to keep your CNA job while going to RN school, you should. As previously suggested, maybe you can cut your hours down to help focus on school. We look favourably at an applicant with CNA experience versus one with no experience at all. Plus, lately we have been having problems with new grad RN's that don't want to take patients anymore, but only sit at the desk and do paperwork. I have heard things like "the LPN's take the patients, and as the RN, I will only take 2 patients or so, but the only lighter cases" on Med/Surg units.

I think as a RN with CNA or LPN experience, you are much better equipped to understand how the team works together and what it takes to give the patients the best care they can get.

Wow really??? Give me the patients over the paperwork any day. I have done desk jobs and hated it. The best part of being a student is I get to work with the patients more and have less charting to do.

[FutureDeputy]

Just give it your best shot.. the economu isn't helping much, I hear texas and utah are the best states to find a job.. here in florida healthcare is pretty strong, but the er rooms are putting freezes on employement period... workins in a rehab clinic or elder home unit should be easier..

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I regret not knowing anything about CNA's or EMT-B before Nursing School. I didn't really know about these types of jobs and how to go about getting them until I was just about to start my nursing courses. I wish I would have known. I would have become an EMT-B or Aide in a hospital. I have seen lots of people that are aides land nursing jobs or the EMT-B in the Emergency Room.