Advice on gaining experience while in school?

[katyq82]

I am a first year nursing student and this will be my second career. I want to prepare now so that I have the best chance possible to obtain a good job quickly after graduation in Spring 2018. I am also working in my current field 25 hours a week and have children. We need my current (good) income for our family budget so switching jobs to be a CNA full time isn't an option, although I know I would learn a lot. These are the opportunities that I've seen locally and I am wondering which one would be the best route to a stronger nursing resume after graduation?

- Volunteering 3-4 hours a week in my main area of interest at the hospital I would love to work at someday. I could probably only fit this in over next summer when I am not in classes.

- Cutting back on my work hours slightly and trying to get 1 shift a week as a CNA to get patient care experience.

-Taking an extra class at my community college next summer to be eligible for the LPN exam and then working as an LPN next school year instead of my current job. The class is costly and would be a childcare nightmare but it would be only 12 weeks. Would be a pay cut but probably a doable one.

-Cutting back on my work hours and applying for a job as a "student nurse associate" at a well known level 1 hospital nearby. Would be a pretty big pay cut (between CNA and LPN rates) but it only requires 1-2 shifts a week so I could still work some hours at my other job.

-Something else that I am unaware of?

I know that I need patient care experience and since I am in an A.S. degree program, I only have 1.5 years to strengthen my resume before looking for that first nursing job. Your advice based on what would look best to a potential employer would be great! Thanks!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

First of all, make sure that you have an accurate perception of the employment market in your area. If hospitals are only hiring BSN grads, no amount of extra qualifications will change that fact. If that is not the case, your best "foot in the door" option is to obtain a student nurse associate job. In most organizations, these positions serve as a try-before-you-buy opportunity. Students in these jobs get advance notice of hiring opportunities & hiring managers get to know you.

FYI, due to regulatory limitations, healthcare volunteers are utilized only in 'hospitality' functions for patients. This will not add any value to your resume. Honestly, hiring managers in my organization really like second career new grads because they are generally more mature and resilient - they don't crumble under pressure, and work well in teams. I appreciate the fact that you want to add value to resume, but employers do not really expect new grads to have any clinical experience. Organizations that hire new grads will have a structured transition program with adequate training and support for them.

Wishing you all the best on launching your nursing career.

[katyq82]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply! From what I understand, they will consider ASN's who have enrolled in a BSN program, which I plan to do online following graduation. But I will verify that. It sounds like the student nurse associate job might be the best route for me to go.

[chicorecruiter]

My facilities will hire part time CNA's who ore working on higher certifications. They will even pay your exam fees. If you tell them you intend to work there after your certification. some thing along the lines of "I'm looking for a job I can do until I'm certified, then I want you to hire me full time as a (LPN, LVN, RN)"