CCE program Palomar... good if you're in nursing school?

[maiday]

Hi everbody,

I am currently in nursing school at National University in San Diego. I will graduate May 2011. I do not have any hospital experience and I would really like to have something other than clinicals to put on my resume when I graduate. I am thinking of becoming a CNA, but my schedule is pretty hectic to work. I've been looking at the clinical career extender with Palomar hospital which seems like a great program, but I'm curious if it is more for somebody who is not sure or not yet in nursing school. Has anybody done this program and have any feedback on whether or not it would be good for a nursing student? I've looked at previous threads, but they all are people who are either not sure about nursing or are waiting to get into nursing school. Thank you for any information.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

During your summer breaks take the CNA course and try to get hired in the hospital or nursing home before you graduate. The hospitals and nursing homes tend to hire within. Usually the left over new grad positions (sometimes not any at all) they will hire outside from people who did their clinical rotations there. Sometimes that isn't the case, but if you already work there your chances of getting hired are better than those who didn't already work there. Good Luck

[tclu, BSN, RN]

I didn't do the CCE program at Palomar, but I did the CCE program at Hoag Hospital in Orange County. I think it's a pretty good program...unlike other volunteer position where all you do is clerical work, you actually get to do things with the patients in the CCE program. It's probably still better to have a CNA job, but since you say you don't have the time for that, the CCE program is a good alternative.

[maiday]

Thanks for the responses. We don't have a summer break since our program is accelerated so it makes it hard since we can't do a summer internship or anything like that. I'm still thinking about doing CNA, but the CCE program sounds good since it is less time per week and you get to see a lot of different departments. I don't know... does anybody know if you can get a CNA job and only work once a week? I don't think I could do more than that and I'm not sure a hospital would even hire me for that. Just trying to see all my options.

[Snwbdr]

When I was doing my clinicals at Palomar this past semester, there was a gal who just graduated from National in the CCE program at Palomar....she was doing it until their new grad program opened up in January....It's a good way to get yourself into the hospital and familiar w/ the nurse managers who potentially will be the ones hiring you....

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

When you don't have a set schedule it's called PRN or per diem. They do hire CNA's who work per diem. That's the best way to get your foot in the door because you're a direct employer of that hospital and not just a volunteer. Volunteer programs are a great way to get some experience, but the reality is that most will hire somebody already employed vs someone who is a volunteer. Not that it doesn't happen, I'm sure it does, but when you're already emplyed you're established. CCE program sounds like a good program to get started with. But if you can get your CNA, I would strongly suggest doing it. Doesn't your school let you take the CNA examination after the first semester? Some nursing schools do that, you might want to check into that. Good Luck