I want a medical job!!!!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I am currently a pre-nursing student and I would LOVE to get a job in the medical field so that I can gain a little experience and make sure nursing is for me. I haven't been able to get a job because I don't have any certifications. When I spoke with someone at my local hospital, she told me to get my CNA certificate. I was told by a nursing mentor that having a CNA would be a waste of time. I am totally lost. Any ideas on medical jobs I can get will being a pre-nursing student, or any advice on whether a CNA would be helpful???

Thanks!

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I certainly don't think a CNA is a waste of time. I didn't do it but I know people who have. How about volunteering in a hospital? It would not only look good on a resume but give you helpful experience and allow you to build a network of people in your choice hospital. In Missouri, you can get a job as a PTC after you complete your first semester of clinicals. Is that an option where you live?

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As a pre-nursing student I think it is a good idea to get a job in the medical field. To be honest, I did not get a job in the medical field until 3 months ago - right when I was staring my senior year in a BSN program. I work as a PCA for a home health agency. I have gained experience in things like bed baths, transfers, toileting, etc. I do not know why anyone would tell you that getting your CNA is a waste of time. I am assuming you have quite a ways to go in your program, right? I know a few of my fellow nursing students who go their CNA certification while attending school. Try to find CNA trainee courses or if all else fails, you can take a PCA course for a home health agency in your area. The course is often free and sometimes they will pay you to attend.

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I don't understand how it could be a waste of time. As a nurse part of the job is supervising cnas in many cases. You can better supervise if you've been in their position. Plus there are other benefits.

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

She probably meant that taking a CNA class would be a waste of time since you would be eligible to become a CNA after the first semester of nursing school. You would be paying for a class that you will pretty much have to take over again. Then you can get a CNA job while in nursing school.

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I think you should do what's best for you. I am currently an ED scribe and I love what I do. Not only do I get to work with physicians and PAs, I also get to interact with the nurses, have learned copious amounts of medical terminology, am able to look at x-rays/CT scan results, and gain knowledge of tons of procedures, medications, and differential diagnoses based on symptoms. Although I don't get to work directly with the nurses, I still think this job has given me valuable experience and I'm so fortunate to have it. With that said, being a CNA, tech, or EMT would give you a lot more hands on experience, and I wish I could have the experience as a tech, but alas I don't. Personally, I never wanted to be a CNA (and it's too late for me anyways since I'm already accepted in one ABSN program and am awaiting the decision from my current school) I wouldn't want all of the patients I interacted with to be geriatric patients. I know that's stupid and silly because I'll obviously work with geriatric patients, but I guess the idea of that being all I see is unappealing. Regardless, if you are the type of person that is perfectly fine working in nursing homes, I have much respect for you and I say go for it! :)

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Specializes in OB.

You say you're a pre-nursing student. How much longer until you're done with pre-reqs? Even if you were to apply for the next semester, it may take a while to get started so in regard to the comment that being a CNA will be a waste of time, I have to disagree. Being a CNA you will gain so much experience that no one else can take away from you and will only help you once you start clinicals and you will have that advantage over people who are not in the field yet. But as someone else stated, if you're already accepted and about to start the program, I would wait to be done with the first semester so you can just go ahead and challenge the class and take your state exam. Good luck!

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

Not all states allow you to become a CNA after the first year of school. Mine doesn't. We were required to have passed our CNA before applying to the program. I didn't get a job until just now and I graduate in May. I wish I had worked before I started school. It would have helped me a lot to have already been a CNA when we were learning bed baths and vitals and all of those CNA type tasks.

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I first would like to thank each of you for posting your ideas. It has really helped me. I have next semester and medical microbiology to complete during the summer and the nursing program that I want to apply to has agreed to let me apply Fall of 2014. So I have some time to possibly take a CNA certification course so that I can work during the summer . If I becoming a CNA may take me too long, or won't work with my schedule, why other certifications should I look into that may also help me gain experience. I respect you all and appreciate your help in making my dreams of coming a nurse more realistic!!!!

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By the way, I live in Georgia!

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Becoming a CNA should not take very long. A month or so, at most a semester.

I would look for programs at public technical colleges if you can. The public tech college near me offers a CNA course for about $500 vs. $2000 at the private places.

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Specializes in public health.

CNA is a good way to find out if nursing is really for you. I'd say go for it.

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