Already accepted into a nursing program, should I get my CNA license anyway?

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Hi everyone, I've been reading posts on this forum just to get a feel for what other nursing students/ nurses go through on a day-to-day basis, and I've been reading that it's hard to land a job after graduation from nursing school, especially without previous experience (like CNA experience).

That being said, I have no previous experience in the medical field. Although I'm in nursing school already, should I even bother trying to get my CNA license? (I really can't afford to drop the $800 up front that my school charges.)

Are there any other options that I could look into to get experience in the medical field? By the way, I live in northeast CT.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Women’s Health.

You definitely don't need your CNA license to gain experience. It's a little different everywhere, but I worked as a tech in nursing school. I live in NY, and around here CNAs really only seem to work in nursing homes. The only requirement to work in the hospital as a tech was one semester of nursing school. It was really great experience - in addition to basic bedside care I also got really good at drawing blood, doing EKGs, fingersticks, etc. All of that basic stuff. DEFINITELY work in the hospital during school - it will help you excel in clinicals and it will make getting a job much easier afterwards. Getting your CNA license certainly won't hurt but I don't think it's at all necessary, either. Good luck!

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Specializes in Home Health.

See if there are other positions you can apply for. I know there are differences between what a CNA does and what a patient care technician does (although I have no idea what those differences are at the moment), but PCTs don't need a license and they still get some bedside experience. If you have something like that available go for it and save up for your CNA license. Working as a CNA will look great on your resume and can help you build connections before you start job hunting. As lucasaurus mentioned, even working as a tech will give you a great experience that will be useful in school and also looks good when you're searching for your first RN job. Congratulations on your acceptance into the nursing program, good luck to you! :)

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Thank you both, you've been really helpful. ^_^

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If you can't afford it then no! Also would that create even more studying for you? I did my CNA in a five-month program and it was two nights a week for 4 hrs each, also weekend clinicals. It is a lot to take on on top of your nursing studies. Do you need a job? I would recommend trying to get a part-time job in any type of medical setting. Even working as a front office assistant or tech or other position would be good. Any job where they are willing to train you and not make you pay for extra certifications would be valuable!

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No. I would look at all the jobs that hospitals offer. I work as a unit clerk/paramedic but I pull more shifts as a paramedic even though my hours are only budgeted as unit clerk due to people calling off. It can be funny to see the reshuffling of positions. I am up front triaging, the phleb is the clerk, and there is no pct or there is just one.

I would also look at the CNA requirements. In my state, you can test out as a CNA after 1 semester of nursing school as long as you remain in school. A lot of places hire nursing students without the CNA and call them patient care techs (we do not have patient care tech courses in my state) or nursing assistants (without the certified).

Some other positions to consider involve patient transporting, unit clerk, patient registration, etc. Just to get a foot in the door.

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I dont know what hospitals require by you but most hospitals by me required either a CNA license or two clinical semesters in school. Most hospitals here as well are preferring nursing students over the traditional aide because students are more enthusiastic, recognize more s/s that need to be addressed by the RN, and are I'm the process of being groomed to be RNs to work at their respective hospitals.

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Here on the Treasure Coast of FL you need a CNA License, or to have completed the first semester of nursing school, to become a patient care technician at our local hospital. I have heard working in the PCT role as you go through nursing school proves to be invaluable when it's clinical time. Good luck!

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I would wait and see. I went to nursing school and was originally licensed in OH. Similar to what others said, if you completed a class or two (our case it was two - we were on the quarter system not semesters), most hospitals would hire nursing students for the same roles.

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Glad you asked this question, I was a CNA several years ago and have been wondering if I should renew my CNA license before going back to nursing school or if I should just wait and try to get a tech job once I start school. Like you, I don't really want to drop a few hundred dollars if I don't need to.

On another note...cat lovers, unite! :cat:

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