Working as a CNA?

[Reesa23]

I've been working as a CNA floating the hospital for the last year now while in nursing school. I work part-time (40 hours in a 2 week pay period) but its really hard work. I get barked at by patients and nurses all night. And I might be left to be the only CNA on the entire unit. And the nurses don't care, they won't do extra what that happens...I'm on my own. Sometimes the only time I get a chance to sit down is when I take a washroom break. And now we're required to carry phones and they'll call while I'm in the washroom! I do get benifits for myself and my husband and thats why I stay, because my husbands work benifits are garbage. I noticed everyone I talk to at my college none want to work as CNAs while in nursing school. I also see my hospital has more than the usual ammount of CNA jobs open. No one wants the jobs anymore and I wonder how many nursing students here are working as CNAs while in nursing school and if so how its going and what type of facility do you work at, and how many hours do you work?

[IDreamOfJeanne]

I also have am questioning working as a CNA while in nursing school. I have completed all my pre reqs and HOPE to get into the nursing program next fall. In the meantime, I'm working as a Nurse Tech (CNA) at a local hospital, on the Telemetry Unit. I'm loving the work, but don't know that I'll be capable of working the 12-hour shifts, with 10 patients, while in the nursing program -- I'm thinking it will be too much on my plate, not allowing enough time for all the studying that will be required. Therefore I am currently taking a phlebotomy course to give me another option while in the nursing program. Perhaps working in the lab, drawing blood, won't be as stressful as handling 10 patients -- don't know, but I'll see!

I'm truly enjoying the experience I'm currently obtaining as a Nurse Tech, and highly recommend it prior to nursing school. I've found the nurses are extremely helpful at answering my questions, and therefore I feel I'm learning a tremendous amount of knowledge that will be helpful once I'm in the program.

Best wishes to you in whatever you decide to do!

If anyone has any experience working as a phlebotomist, I'd appreciate you sharing your experience with me -- will it be less stressful? tx!

[EyesForward]

Originally posted by IDreamOfJeanne

If anyone has any experience working as a phlebotomist, I'd appreciate you sharing your experience with me -- will it be less stressful? tx!

Coincidence! See my recent post on pre-nursing occupation idea.

[Silkybo]

I work full time at as a CNA at the nursing home across the street from the college Im attending for my ASN. Its great! I work the evening shift so i get plenty of time to pick the nurse's brains. The work is hard, and we are perpetually short staffed, but Im learning a lot. We have our clinicals right there this semester, so Im very comfortable. The one bummer is on my clinical day, Im at work but not working, and the other CNAs get annoyed that I won't work with them cuz I have my assignments to do. Im a 30 something student working towards nursing as a second career. i got laid off from a sales job after 9-11, and decided to go for a second degree and start over.CNA pay sucks after what I used to make, but it beats unemployment and its worth it for the experience.