nursing home first?

I worked for about 3 years in a nursing home as a certified nursing assistant. I think you have to be certified to work in a nursing home. However, I don't think you have to in a hospital. That might vary from state to state and I am talking about the law in the state of Iowa. The employer will tell you what credentials you need; and they should help you to get there with that. I oriented at a nursing home and challenged the state certification exam.

The hospital I work at employs nursing assistants and technicians. On my cardiac unit, we train people to be "monitor techs" they help with vital signs, passing water, and monitoring and interpreting cardiac rhythms on our monitors. (to name a few jobs)

I highly suggest you get some of this experience before or while attending nursing school. It helped me understand things in nursing school. And, it paid better than working at McDonald's. And, I accepted an LPN job where I worked as a certified nursing assistant as soon as I got my license without all the applying hassle. I knew the place and the residents..I just had to begin my new scope of practice. It was very smooth! Especially, when I was still in college to get my RN.