Attn current nurses - does nursing assistant or student nurse get best experience?

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Nov 10, 2009

In both hospitals I have worked in, CNAs and student nurses/nurse interns/ nurse techs, etc. were utilized in exactly the same fashion. The only difference came when enough CNAs were scheduled, the SN/NI/NT's were sometimes placed with RNs and shadowed them for the shift. The pay was slightly higher for SN/NI/NT's also. I started working as a CNA and became a NI after starting school. I found that the nurses were more receptive to me as a NI even though I was doing exactly the same thing. They sought me out and went out of their way to show me things and let me practice skills I was learning in school.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 10, 2009

in Texas they are the same. Both are unlicensed assistive personnel and are not supposed to be allowed to do anything within the nursing scope of practice.

husker_rn, RN · Nov 10, 2009

i worked as a CNA in nursing homes before starting nursing sdchool and in a small hospital after starting. The CNA experience taught basic cares and good skills working with patients along with learning how to manage my time; as a student nurse I learned nursing skills. They are both valuable tools but the focus is a bit different.

hisgeogal · Nov 10, 2009

Boog'sGirl724, classicdame, husker_rn, thanks so much to all for the input!

This is the type of info that will help stear me. If anyone else reading this post has comments, please don't hesitate to share them, it's truly appreciated and will be conisdered thoughtfully

classicdame, have there been issues at places where you've worked with nurses allowing CNAs and student nurses/interns to do work that's supposed to be done by licensed nurses?

CorpsmanRN, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2009

In WA state, a Nurse Tech is a position for anyone who has completed their first couple qtrs in nursing school. They get paid a bit more and since we have completed the first qtrs of clinical skills, are able to start IV's. I have a couple friends/classmates who are techs in the ED and L&D, basically only thing they don't do is pass meds. I think as nurse techs they are getting more experience than a CNA would in the way of prepping for being an RN soon.

I think it really depends on how your state views the difference in positions (look for postings of both & compare the job description/responsibilities), as well as the department of the position. I thought about applying for a position as an NT on the m/s floor of a children's hospital but a friend said it would be like being a CNA (I'm sticking to emergency departments). Good luck!

RhiaRN75, RN · Nov 10, 2009

I've never been in a hospital that hired student nurses as a 'student nurse'. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, it's just not commen in my area. The only thing I've seen are programs that have good SN intern/leadership rotations, but it's part of school/clinical and is not a paid position through the hospital.

If you can be hired as a student nurse, and have the opportunity to do extra stuff as a result and still be paid, and your nursing board is ok w/ it so your not putting yourself at risk, and the staff nurses where you would be working are supportive of SN, - I say go for it!! My biggest concern would be working enviroment- if the regular staff consider SN employees to be pain for them, you won't get much out of it except frustration. I'm not saying it's right, I think we should support student nurses- but due to a bad SNs and a grumpy RNs, I can see where it would end up as a "I'm not here to babysit you" nightmare. Even the best, most patient, biggest student-advocate nurse will not have time to worry about you if chaos ensues.

On the other hand, working as a CNA gives you something nothing else does- autonomy and 'one of us'. I know CNAs are sometimes viewed as 'unskilled, uneducated labor', and you may not be able to start IV's or whatnot, but there is a certain degree of autonomy. You have your pt assignment, you usually get and give report, you have to prioritize pt care, and re-eval your gameplan as things change. Working as a student nurse- most of those decisions are made for you. These are all important skills that every nurse needs to develop. I think your more in a position as a CNA to critic (and learn from) how things are done... ie Nurse Susie is great with psych pts, why? Nurse John's IVs are almost never pulled out by demented pts- what's his secret? As a CNA, staff are less likely to view you as 'in clinical', so you'll see more 'real world' good and bad.

Autonomy is the hardest lesson to learn as a nurse. It's a fine line to walk as a new grad- you don't want to be afraid to make decisions but you can't be over-confident in yourself either. Either way, CNA or SN, any experience is better then none in the long run!!!

Good luck :)

Aggiejane07 · Nov 11, 2009

I'm currently working as a student nurse extern II in texas. I am in my last semester of school and graduating in December. Due to working in this unit as an extern, I was pretty much guaranteed a job as an intern after graduation and will be starting in January. I am allowed to do everything an RN can do (under supervision of course) except give medications. I really really love it and feel that I get so much more out of it than clinicals. I work a 12 once a week and am there from report in the morning to report in the evening. You really get a thorough understanding of the entire process of nursing instead of just a section of it the way you do in clinicals. I get to see how they chart and take my time to learn the computer system instead of being thrown into it the way you might as a new nurse. In my unit I do the same things as a CNA as well but it is only because it is an ICU and is total care. Good luck with whichever you choose :-)

hisgeogal · Nov 11, 2009

Wow! I'm overwhelmed with all of the great feedback! Thanks SO much to you all for responding, it's really helping me to think things through!

drmax · Mar 8, 2011

what Aggie said. SNE no doubt, if you want to have a job awaiting. It's a highly competitive position, as most want a job after college. Today my wife is in her 2nd day of orientation, awaiting the O.R., as a SNE for a big facility in Indiana. She's got her hospital I.D., so the thought is to have her newly minted for a seamless transition at years end, to go fulltime.

Go for it...and good luck!