Nursing Student Advice

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I am currently studying nursing at the undergraduate level. I have the opportunity to attain a certified nursing assistant certificate while I go to school. Some suggest to just wait to work in the nursing environment until I reach my BSN, however, others disagree. I would like to start gaining clinical experience and increasing the level of communication with patients immediately. My question is, should I get my CNA certificate, or wait until I graduate to start this type of work.

Halle Charlebois

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Yes, do it. There is nothing to be lost by experience, and you will gain from extra hands-on practice and communicating with the residents, other care team members, etc. Especially if you have to work while in school anyway...why NOT work as a CNA instead of a barista or something? :)

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Specializes in 4.

Definitely do it! Some sort of medical experience will not only help your resume but give you a different perspective on health care in general. You will also have some flexibility in your schedule as far as school is concerned.

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Working as a CNA while in school is a great idea. I say go for it!

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Working as a CNA will help you to understand what is needed for direct care of patients, increase your knowledge in communicating to the public and prepare you for your BSN. You will have a heads up if you do this because you will know what is involved in caring for sick people. All nurses have to act as a CNA at one time or another, it is depressing when I see a BSN who does not know how to put a bedpan under a patient. Go For It!!

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Specializes in geriatric/long term care.

Absolutely do it. You will learn very early on if nursing is your true calling by working as a CNA There is no romance in that job it's necessary down and dirty work that is also incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. In my opinion the best nurses are ones who worked as CNA's

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Yes! All the students in my class that's didn't get their CNA, now wish they had! It really helps because while everyone else is still stumbling over the basics, you can study and work on the more difficult material. Same goes with studying. Everyone told me not to worry about reviewing A&P, micro... Before nursing school so I didn't. Now I really wish I hadn't listened to them. I just mean that it makes the material easier to grasp when you have the basics down. They review everything you need to know, but it makes life much easier when you don't have to relearn it.

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I need an advice. I just got accepted to nursing program in my college, and as soon as i started to work on all the documents they need (including medicals records) i got accepted to the university. So now i don't know what to do, if i go to the college i will get associate degree, but in the University its bachelors. Some people say that my college has better program than University... please help with you advises.

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OP,

if you can juggle schoolwork and work together well, then I say do it. I've heard both sides as well. I think it really depends on you if you can handle an extra load of stuff to do besides schoolwork.

to the poster above me, in your area does it matter if you had an adn vs BSN? Do hospitals or other places require a BSN over an adn? Is your goal to be an aprn of some sort- if it is then BSN is the way to go. For comparing schools, check out the NCLEX pass rate of each school.

Also do you have financial worries? cc is the more cheaper route while BSN is the probably more expensive one.

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