Metro Detroit jobs for student

I am 29 yrs old and have a degree in Psychology and a current job in a non-healthcare field.

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts/suggestions or helpful info for me. I'll give you a little background info and let it go from there:

I am 29 yrs old and have a degree in Psychology and a current job in a non-healthcare field. I am taking my last pre-reqs for nursing and will be applying to nursing school in May 2009.

I've heard that it is a good idea to "get your foot in the door" by doing CNA type work, and that some places will also pay a portion of your schooling to become an LPN or RN if you are a CNA etc, at their facility.

Can someone please tell me what they know about getting a job in the medical field that has this opportunity? I would appreciate any "leads" that anyone can offer me, as I am VERY NEW to this whole concept and if you know of any places that offer this I would love to know.

Also does anyone know if I should volunteer since I have no experience or if I could be hired in "off the street"

Thanks so much in advance!

Doing CNA work will help you learn basic pt care, and make you more comfortable around pts. I was a CNA for 4 years before starting NS and I got my certificate through the American Red Cross. Around here hospitals know what a good program they have, and I had a job before I finished the course. It took 5 weeks and then I took a state test. I think you can work as an aide after your 1st semester of NS but you probably wouldn't be certified w/o the testing. You can still work most areas of the hospital except ICU/CCU and maybe Cardiac (That's how it is where I live) but it is good experience anyway, I wasn't scared when I started clinicals like some of my fellow students because the environment was familiar.

You actually don't need to fill out any paperwork if you have already been accepted into nursing school. I work at a hospital as an aide (not certified, but I get paid the same and have the same responsiblities) and I have not even started my nursing program yet and have no prior health care experience. The hospital checked my references to make sure I had been accepted then hired me and trained me on the job.

I also have a buddy who is trying to get into PA school who has been an aide in a different local hospital system for over a year. He had no healthcare experience (was an engineer for one of the big 3). He wouldn't take no for an answer and kept badgering HR departments until they gave him an interview. His hospital trained him on the job as well.