CNA or Volunteer work?

[mattattack89]

Hello,

My name is Matthew and I'm trying to become an RN but, unfortunately, I'm going to miss the deadline for applying to my schools RN program this year because I just don't have all my pre-reqs yet. I'm trying to figure out what I should occupy my time with this year to increase my likely hood of being accepted into the program next year. Basically, I've been debating with myself between getting my CNA license and working a hospital (or possibly and probably more likely, a nursing home) to increase my chances of acceptance in that way, or by simply volunteering as much as I can at the local hospital over the next year.

My only quarrel with getting my CNA license is that from what I've heard, it BARELY helps any more than by volunteering . I've also heard that good references can be a lot more important than CNA experience. For instance, if I were to volunteer at the hospital, I might have a much better chance of getting a great reference from, say, a doctor or an RN, as opposed to if I were to work in a nursing home where there would less of a chance of me getting such references. I've also heard CNA experience can be undervalued and not really worth the effort -although I have also heard it can give you a big boost in during clinicals.

Also, if I were to volunteer as opposed to working as a CNA, it would leave me alot more time to bring my Spanish up to par which i know will be a big asset to me, possibly alot more so than the CNA experience would be.

Any opinions on this subject would be GREATLY appreciated. I just don't want to spend this year wasting my time.

[luvs637]

In regards to getting references---as a volunteer in a hospital, you'll likely be pushing wheelchairs, handing out glasses of water, or doing some light filing for a busy secretary, that's what I see our volunteers doing. Your direct patient interaction will be extremely minimal if any. Doctors most likely will not talk to you at all (they're busy and they're at work!) and I doubt that you'd get a reference from one. Even the nurses often won't have the time to get to know you as you won't really be working directly with them.

If you become a CNA, whether you work in a nursing home or hospital, you will at least have direct patient experience. The nurses WILL know who you are because they WILL need your help. They will be much more likely to write you a reference, in my opinion, because they will know you. If you are already a paid employee of a hospital system or nursing home, it is likely that they will hire you before hiring anyone else as you will already know their expectations. Companies don't put the same amount of effort and energy into their volunteers because volunteers often turnover quickly.

[Andrew12]

The experience is really what i think would be valuable as a CNA. It could make or break someone decision to become a RN. Plus, the direct patient contact (likeluv637 mentioned) is even better experience before you become an actual RN.

Going back to the CNA class, is the workload a lot. I'm taking another class in sync with this one and want to make sure i wont have a work overload.

[kewsey407]

Honestly, my CNA class was a piece of cake. You will be fine. What happened to the tripled confidence?

[nrz2bee]

The experience is really what i think would be valuable as a CNA. It could make or break someone decision to become a RN. Plus, the direct patient contact (likeluv637 mentioned) is even better experience before you become an actual RN.

Going back to the CNA class, is the workload a lot. I'm taking another class in sync with this one and want to make sure i wont have a work overload.

You'll be fine..trust me. A lot of it is common sense. A lot of things are basic anatomy and medical terminology. We arent just saying that. Trust me if you took some college science courses this will be a breeze. The only thing is worrying about making little mistakes on the state exam b/c you are nervous. Like closing privacy curtain, washing hands, lowering bed and handing patient call bell before you leave is VERY important on the state exam(its easy stuff but becomes a lot when u are nervous). You will learn to do pulse and respiration. this is easy once you get the hang of it. I volunteered at a hospital and that played a huge role in getting me the job as a cna w/o experience. i thought this was pretty cool. the previous posts are all correct...if you want to get noticed by the RNs for a recommendation later on then cna is the way to go. plus as a volunteer you get to volunteer in depts you may not have the opportunity to work as a cna w/o experience. they mentioned the fact that i volunteered at the hospital on my interview.

[Andrew12]

Thats true. It's just that I'm also taking another class (the final class) i need for my AA, i don't want to ruin that.. Confindence meter, back to tripled :w00t:

[ericseitz]

I'm in kinda the same situation. I am still finishing my prereqs and am not in any huge rush to get through everything. But I am currently in a CNA course and also volunteer at a local needle exchange/street clinic and in the OR at the local city level one trauma center. I think that the idea of working from the boittom up is very exciting to me, and I feel like doing that work before will make me a better nurse in the long run. To be able to appreciate the work that allmembers in the healthcare field do would be invaluable.