Best strategy for getting a job-opinions!

mrsboots87 · Oct 10, 2014

CNAs having a guaranteed job is not always the case. They have their foot in the door and have a higher chance of getting an interview for an RN position but it wont be any available and it wont be guaranteed. I have known CNAs who did not get hired on as RNs at their job right after licensure and some not at all. If you are a fantastic CNA then, the likely hood is high. But if you get any write-ups, or give the nurse managers of whatever unit you work on a bad impression, or are late sometimes, they may not want you as an RN but cant fire you yet. Also, it is even getting hard to get a hospital CNA job these days. Most hospitals want experience CNAs. Even LTC are starting to want experienced CNAs. This is because a lot of facilities have cut down on unlicensed employees, so they don't want to worry about training a newbie on an understaffed floor. I am not trying to be discouraging. Just realistic.

I would definitely suggest getting you NA certificate and try to work. The experience will look good on your resume when applying for RN jobs, and it may get you an RN job at whoever is your employer at the time you are licensed. If you go for your BSN with ASU and do not work. You wont have the CNA experience, but you will have a BSN. And that is what is wanted at hospitals. If an ADN with CNA experience applies for the same job as a BSN, the CNA experienced nurse wont necessarily get the job over you or you over them. Where I'm going with this is that either option is good. Its just depends on what you want. Heck, if you can work 2 shifts a week and handle BSN school (many students have to do this to support themselves) then that would be even better. GL with whatever path you choose.