CNA first to get network and experience?

[Oraelo]

Hello all, I am starting nursing school in a few weeks in north jersey. I have heard about the difficulty in getting a job after graduation. How beneficial would it be to me to get a CNA now and apply places just to get my foot in the door? I have zero experience in the medical field (I am a 40 year old male who is changing professions) and is north Jersey as difficult to get employment as other areas?

[Floridayz, ASN, RN]

Do it.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

It's great for networking. The down side is that you don't want to work at the place you might have clinic.

[livelifeloveRN]

Absolutely! The knowledge and experiences will put you so far ahead of the other students and make you a better nurse...the networking is just a plus

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

absolutely do it. not sure what area of nursing you are interested in, but most hospitals dont even require you to have a CNA to be a tech. If youre interested in LTC, rehab, home care, a CNA is a good idea. It also wont hurt to have on your resume if you apply to hospitals as well..

i got a tech job at a hospital while in NS and it landed me my RN job before i even graduated. its definitely a good networking opportunity, and it will help you with some basic skills and time management for clinicals.