CNA license

As the poster above said, most states will let you become a nurse apprentice after your first semester of nursing school. However, if you are like me, and it takes you a few tries applying before you get in, it is a good way of learning and networking. I know my hospital will hire new grads who worked there as CNAs ahead of people who have not, and I would imagine quite a few hospitals do the same. Do keep in mind you might not be able to work in a doctors office as a CNA, plus the hours might be harder to go to school around if you could.

You can probably work in a hospital after completing a semester of Nursing school. I believe this is because you are working under a physicians license.

However if you want to work in a LTC facility like a skilled nursing facility, you still have to bea CNA, and in my state the only way to be a CNA is to go to CNA school and then pass the written and practical exam, or to be certified in another state and then test out here. Doesnt matter if you are a nursing student or not.

Granted few nursing students want to work as a CNA in a nursing home, but something to consider.

Where I live all the nursing schools require you become a CNA before even being accepted, so literally every nursing student around here can work as a CNA.

I know in my state, which is TN, after your first semester you can challenge the CNA test. Then you just pay your money, sit for the board and get your license.