A little advice poowease

jabroadwater · Mar 14, 2011

Mind if I ask why you would work as a CNA if you finished an ADN program and have your RN? In fact, will a hospital take you as a CNA since you are licensed? Why not work as an RN while you're finishing your BSN?

finallyRN7, BSN · Mar 14, 2011

Jabroadwater, I have put in LOTS of applications of which have stated "or eligible for licensure" or "new graduates will be considered" and I STILL haven't received a call. I clearly am qualified, so the only thing I can see is that my application ended up at bottom of pile of 1,000 or they want BSN nurses. If someone would hire me full-time as a RN while I continue my education, that'd be great, but it's not happening soon enough for me, and I can't afford to take per diem or part-time work. So, I've opted to work as a nursing assistant at a hospital. I've worked as a nursing assistant prior to nursing school, and at least that will be full-time work and pay...I haven't been hired yet, but I've a really good feeling I will be (keeping my fingers crossed). The hunt for a RN position has been frustrating and I've only been at it for 3 months now...much shorter than some other new graduates been looking, but I've reached my deadline and time to move on. Thanks for your concern and input.:)

jabroadwater · Mar 14, 2011

One other question; what part of the country are you in?

I ran into a similar situation. I graduated from an ADN program in New Orleans. I waited until I took my boards to start looking, but like many of my classmates, I couldn't find a job in the area. Many of the kids from the semester ahead of me still don't have jobs.

Be flexible and keep your options open. What is the job market like an hour away? I immediately applied for my MS license and started looking that direction and was just picked up by a large hospital in MS.

They are out there, don't dispair. And don't give up looking.

Best of luck and my best wishes to you.

annister · Mar 14, 2011

I would continue to look for an RN position and, once enrolled, be sure to include in my application/resume that I am in the process of earning my BSN.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

Before you invest oodles in an online school (I'm assuming the one you're interested in is expensive, because most of them are) check into RN to BSN programs in state schools near you. They cost a whole lot less.

A facility isn't likely to hire you as a CNA when you are an RN. Did you take NCLEX and do you have your RN license? If so, if you work as a CNA things are complicated. CNAs earn a whole lot less than RNs. It's possible you could work as an RN part time or prn and earn the same amount as a fulltime CNA.

A BSN program without clinicals...hmmm....this raises all sorts of red flags in my mind. First, I thought clinical hours were required by accredited schools. In addition to those clinicals you had for your RN, you'd need community health and some sort of leadership/management/specialty clinical. Is this online school accredited? If you aren't getting clinical time, will you be prepared to work as a nurse? You got clinical time getting your RN, but will it be distant enough by the time you finish your BSN that you will have forgotten things? Book-learning isn't the same as clinical time. Being a CNA is a whole different job than being a nurse.

anzean_rn · Mar 14, 2011

What's a "poo wease"? Sounds gross.

jabroadwater · Mar 14, 2011

A BSN program without clinicals...hmmm....this raises all sorts of red flags in my mind. First, I thought clinical hours were required by accredited schools

Whispera, the RN to BSN programs at Louisiana State and Southeastern don't require any clinicals and all those classes can be completed online. Our professors at my ADN program told us that we were completing the same number of clinical hours that the BSN students completed.

netglow, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

OP, I'd say everything is a gamble, as you just don't know. So many hiring folks have no idea what the road blocks are to NGs. My state allows RNs to work as CNAs. Of course, the only reason why you'd be considering it is because you cannot get an interview to save your butt. I don't know what nursing holds in the future. I'm 100 percent sure though, that it's ...anyone's guess.

IfICanYouCanToo · Mar 15, 2011

I agree with the above posters. Have you applied to part-time RN positions? Part time nursing experience still counts as valuable nursing experience. CNA experience does not count as nursing experience (in my area in anyway). If you had a full time CNA position and were offered pt/ft RN position, I would think you would take the RN position. Have you applied at hospice, LTC facilities, non profits? You should update your resume with your anticipated BSN graduation date and reapply for some of those positions.

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 15, 2011

"poowease"

Seriously? Is this "please"? If so, that will be your first step - to drop the cutesy baby speech.

Otherwise, no one will take your application seriously.

Poowease, get real and speak in the King's English.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Mar 15, 2011

"poowease"
Seriously? Is this "please"? If so, that will be your first step - to drop the cutesy baby speech.
Otherwise, no one will take your application seriously.
Poowease, get real and speak in the King's English.

I couldn't agree more. I only clicked on the post to see what the heck someone could have to say that uses "poowease". It screams "I am young, not professional and immature". If that is not how you want others to perceive you (including potential employers) then rethink your approach.

(Just friendly advice...don't flame the messenger).