cna while going to school???advice please !

Nurses Career Support

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I am planning on getting my ADN but HAVE to earn some kind of $$ during my schooling, even if it's a little... is it realistic to find a part time CNA job while going to school ????

I also think it would give me some experience as well as "desensitize" me to certain "things" :rotfl:

shudokan-RN

93 Posts

Specializes in Operating Room,, Plastic Surgery.

You can work as a cna, as a prn or call in you can work as much or as little as you need to.weekend shifts were great.. I worked my last 2 years of school as a cna. also, when you go looking for a job, it helps to have a foot in the door. The DON of my 1st hospital approached me and asked if I would accept a position after I passed boards.

marci

youngRNstudent

96 Posts

I agree with macox, I work as a CNA and have worked the entire time during nursing school. I work 1 day a week (luckily I live w/my parents and they are able to support me so I really don't need to work), but I do it for the experience. I find that in clinical I am less intimidated to "touch" a patient as are many of my classmates who do not have hospital experience. I have also been offered jobs at my hospital since I have been there (about 6 months!). I attend one of the harder nursing schools (or so they say), and I still manage to work. I used to work 24 hours a week throughout nursing school, but now that I am in my last semester I can only work 12 hours a week. Like I said I am lucky in that I do not HAVE to work, but I can tell you it is possible, and definately worth it!:)

alexsb1116

38 Posts

I am planning on getting my ADN but HAVE to earn some kind of $$ during my schooling, even if it's a little... is it realistic to find a part time CNA job while going to school ????

I also think it would give me some experience as well as "desensitize" me to certain "things" :rotfl:

Here's a link with more helpful advice. https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68772

alexsb1116

38 Posts

I am planning on getting my ADN but HAVE to earn some kind of $$ during my schooling, even if it's a little... is it realistic to find a part time CNA job while going to school ????

I also think it would give me some experience as well as "desensitize" me to certain "things" :rotfl:

Kinda?!!:)

lab2004

22 Posts

You can work as a cna, as a prn or call in you can work as much or as little as you need to.weekend shifts were great.. I worked my last 2 years of school as a cna. also, when you go looking for a job, it helps to have a foot in the door. The DON of my 1st hospital approached me and asked if I would accept a position after I passed boards.

marci

what is a don?

suzy253, RN

3,815 Posts

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I don't personally work as a CNA while attending school but 3 of my good friends do with no problems--other than being a bit tired at times. But they're all doing fine with the school work.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN

1,711 Posts

what is a don?

Director of Nursing

twinRN04

47 Posts

hey! in my opinion being a CNA while i was in nursing school gave me a whole lot more insight to what nursing was really like than for my classmates who did not work as CNAs. Having the hands on experience definitely increased my clinical experience in school and my classmates always looked to me when they had questions. It does put you higher on the list when Nurse managers @ your hospital are looking for new nurses to hire! :wink2:

Farkinott, RN

581 Posts

Specializes in Renal, Haemo and Peritoneal.

i worked part time as an enrolled nurse (lpn is close equivalent) whilst attending uni full time to become an RN.

You can amaze yourself with what you can do when you need to support yourself and attain a higher goal!

Have a good one!

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