ADVICE!!

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Hey everybody! ^_^

I'm currently doing pre-reqs for the nursing program at my school (Glendale Community College, CA).

I was wondering what you would think is a good job (paying or non-paying, doesn't matter) to obtain in the medical field that does NOT require any degree. I know that volunteering at a hospital could be one of those. I just want to start getting into that environment setting.

If you have any other ideas, besides volunteer work, please let me know. Your reply will be much appreciated!

Thanks and hope to hear from you soon! :D

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CNA!!!!! It's worth its weight in gold!! I took a 3 week class to get it and then did a state certification. I got my first job in a nursing home/rehabilitation and saw SO many things. Just in the first month I witnessed so many things from advanced cancer patients, amputees patients, advanced dementia, young people who were rehabbing from car accidents, surgery, helped nurses with things I would have never had the chance to before nursing school, you get tons of experience with vitals which is something you obviously need to be proficient at as a nurse, dressing changes.... oh my goodness I could go on and on. Really go for it. If you want to get your hands dirty and get down to the nitty gritty of nursing then there is nothing better then becoming a CNA =)

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Thank you! I considered becoming a CNA at some point too! But the programs that I had found were so long and then I ran into a phlebotomy course, which I ended up taking instead of the CNA program! Your experience sounds really interesting!! Do you mind telling me where you took your classes for CNA?

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I am in Michigan and I took it at an off the wall CNA school in my area I found on google. Nursing homes are also so desperate for CNAs that it shouldn't be too hard to find one that does CNA training. Usually CNA classes done at community colleges are by far more expensive and quite lengthy. Getting into phleb. is also a great idea too. A lot of times nursing school doesn't cover enough pleb. if any at all. A nurse who can quickly and effectively draw blood on a patient is golden. Do some research and you shouldn't have a problem finding a CNA course somewhere other than a CC. =)

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I shall do that! Thanks ^_^

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I go to a university in TX and most of the local hospitals offer what they call Nurse Extern positions, which are basically for students enrolled in a nursing program, but I believe they do most of the same work a CNA or aide does. The hospitals that offer those positions are also the places we do clinicals so they kind of go hand in hand. I would check with some of the local hospitals close to where you plan on going to nursing school and see if they offer any kind of jobs like that.

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Thanks! I didn't know about that! I'll look into to that. I'll be going to hospitals in my area to see if I can volunteer, so I'll ask about that when I'm there! (:

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I got a job doing room service (RSA) for the food & nutrition at my local hospital as I started my pre-reqs. It's entry level and I got a ton of patient contact experience. When I got my CNA license, about a year later, I was hired as a CNA on the floor where I was the RSA. Anyway, if you are looking to get your foot in the door at a hospital food & nutrition is a good way to meet people and network without having to have a certification first. I'm inclined to agree with the other folks here that being a CNA is an invaluable experience if you plan to be a nurse. Most cities have a fair number of CNA/MA programs that operate all on their own. I got my CNA and my CNA II in about 2 months time for about half the cost of the local community college. Check your state's nursing board website most have a list of accredited programs.

-Rob

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Hi, nice to meet you. I am in possible of starting a LVN program at La Puente in California (Los Angeles) I am currently a CNA and have been for five years. It's great hands-on experience with patients. You can also look into the office side of the medical field. I remember sending out shadow volunteer cover letters to 50 companies and received an email from a clinical research company in upland.

To be honest, I would look for jobs that will help you stand out and add some edge to your resume in the medical field. :) Maybe learn some new medical technology, far as updated equipment etc since you are willing to take a non paying job. Im sure there are companies that would love a bright nurse student to help take the load of work out of their hands. Keep networking like your doing now is key!

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Hey Rob! I didn't know there was such a position, until now. That does sound like a good place to start! Especially because you are getting contact with patients! I will definitely look into that! Thank you :D

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Nice to meet you too!

Yes that's what I've been trying to search for within these past few weeks. Sometimes it's hard because most of my results are not what I expect (degree/certificate jobs), but I keep looking and I hope to find something that will help me out. If you don't mind me asking, what did you put in your cover letters. Maybe you can give me some helpful hints? (:

Good luck with the LVN program btw! ^_^

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becoming a cna is quick! its hard work but a good learning experience. in my opinion phlebotomy seems pretty cool. it can be done quickly too. i know redlands ca is far from glendale but they have a school called wagner training inst. and you can get your phleb training done pretty quickly.

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