Best way to Gain Experience

[luna_]

I am currently finishing up my final semester as a pre nursing student at HACC york, in Pennsylvania. I have a math class, Ap2 and Micro. Then i will apply for my clinicals and hopefully be accepted to begin January 2016.

Right now I have no experience in the health care field. I am 20 years old. My past jobs have been at restaurants, customer service positions, as well as coaching basketball for about 3 years now. There is a CNA program offered through my school that I am considering. I figure I need to have some type of relevant experience so ensure or at least help ensure that I can score a job when I get my RN. The down side of the CNA program is the cost and I wonder if it is the best way to go? I know I would learn a ton of useful information- but some women who have been RN's for some time tell me that I will have no trouble getting hired when I graduate. I find that hard to believe.

Would it be beneficial to get my CNA? Or should I volunteer at a hospital maybe in hopes that they could eventually find me a paid position to work until my clinicals begin. Would working at a day care be helpful since I am looking into working in the pediatric field. Any advice will help. Thank you for any response in advance.

[RescueNinjaKy]

In today's market, you have to know that even working as a cna or volunteering in a hospital is not going to guarantee you a job as an rn. First off, they won't see it as relevant experience, they will however consider you based on networking. If you apply to the same hospital that you've worked or volunteered in, then your chance in getting hired MAY increase. The amount that it increases in varies, with almost no help at in certain locations. In New York, experience AS A RN is the most important factor and frankly cna or volunteer doesn't help much. I don't know about Pennsylvania, but I heard it's getting tough out there too.

I want you to be prepared, the saying that there is a shortage in nurses is generally a myth all across the nation. Chances are you will be having difficulties in finding employment upon graduating, unless you are willing to relocate to the states that actually have a shortage. They're mainly very far away. For instance mid west and the south tend to be those areas. This was not meant to scare you but you should be prepared because just like nursing schools that can pick the best since there's so many applicants, hospitals are doing the same. They have so many nurses applying that they can pick the best they want, mainly relevant rn experience and bsn.