CNA during college?

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Hello all!

I am currently a freshman in college trying to switch my major to nursing. I am seriously considering becoming CNA certified this summer at my local community college, and I was wondering if any of you have any advice about what it's like to balance CNA work with college. I have heard it is a lot of work and can be crazy hours at the hospital or clinic and although I really want this great experience, I'm worried about it interfering with my classes and class work.

I need to have a job while in college and I want to do something related to my actual future career. Do you think I will be able to handle both being a CNA and full time college student, or should I just wait until I'm an RN?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Idk if its possible for you to take a semester off to get your CNA, b/c that's what I did last yr during the Spring semester. I wanted to take it at my CC so I could attend classes but the class was really expensive there, so I opted to attend a private program that was a month long, full time. Then in the summer I took accelerated classes & worked like 24-32 hrs a week, and when fall came I went to school full time,and worked 16 hrs a week..sometimes 24 hrs but not too often. Its really a balancing act, but it can be done. I think its really good to become a CNA before you attend nursing school because you cant get more insight on the profession :) Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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Hey there! I am actually about to start a CNA course while I am a full time student at Texas A&M. I am only taking 12 hours and I have all of my prerequisites done for nursing school, I am just waiting to hear back. I think working as a CNA would be a great idea, but it does require long work hours in most cases. As long as you think it would work for YOU and that YOU can handle it then I would go for it. Just make sure that those oh so important nursing prerequisites do not suffer. You would have to be very organized and manage your time wisely to balance them. But if you trust yourself and know you are a good student that could keep up, I wouldn't let the fear of "what if" stop you!

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Oh and it even looks good to just have the certification so if you are feeling too overwhelmed with school to work right away it's okay!

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Specializes in LTC, rehab medicine & therapies.

I worked at a long term care clinic where they were super supportive of students and would allow you to work part time/per diem so that you can focus on school as well. I think it depends on where you work and how you manage the time you have. It's not easy - I am currently a full time CNA and part time student - but I wouldn't give up the experiences I'm having at work for the world.

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Thank you all so much for the replies. I really think I'm going to go for it and get certified this summer so I can start working during school next fall. Thanks again!

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You should get your CNA over the summer! During my freshman year at college, I decided to get my CNA over the summer! It's been an interesting experience! I worked as a CNA during my Junior year of college, and it was difficult. At first, I would work at least five days a week, I couldn't handle it. So, eventually, I talked my boss into letting me work Fri-Sunday. It's a good learning experience, but I would suggest part-time work, not FULL time! =] good luck!

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