CNA, Mental Health Technician, or Clinic Assistant?

[Bulbasaurjuju]

Hi! I am currently applying to nursing programs and I hope to work with the pediatric or neonatal population in the future. I was hoping for some advice on some present job opportunities I have.

I recently got my CNA certification and was hired as a CNA. However, I did orientation and training for three days and quit. It makes me feel really terrible about myself for being a quitter and worried that because I quit, I don't have what it takes to be a good nurse, but I just did not like it. I had a bad experience working at a place I did not like and it made me a firm believer in doing what you love. It took a heavy mental toll doing something I did not like for hours. I don't care about the dirty work or hard labor, my clinical practice was rewarding in the end, but its more that I want to work specifically with kids. So, I searched for jobs working with kids and I applied as a mental health technician at a mental hospital for people age 6-geriatrics and as a clinic assistant to a reproductive health clinic (I really think reproductive health is interesting). I got an interview for both and I am waiting to hear back from both.

• Mental Health Technician Job Description:
  
  • The MHT functions as an active part of the treatment team, providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction and role modeling to patients ranging from latency age (6years) to geriatrics. Mental Health Technicians work under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse.
    

• Clinic Assistant Job Description:
  
  • Provides direct service in all the clinic specific areas including, family planning, abortion, prenatal, general medicine, pediatrics, as appropriate to scope of services and clinics;
    
  • ​Provides clients with accurate information regarding services, including questions pertaining to contraception, options, and funding sources;
    
  • Prepares clients for exams and assists in exam room when needed;
    
    
  • Provides pregnancy testing, information and referral, schedules PT clients for follow‑up family planning or other appropriate services;
    
    
  • In coordination with licensed staff, provides client follow-up on lab results and referrals;
    
    
  • Screens financial, medical and social history with correct documentation of pertinent information;
    
    
  • Accurately determines eligibility for funding or private pay;
    
    
  • Performs lab work and venipuncture;
    
    
  • Prepares examination room with appropriate supplies for examination and cleans room
    
    

If given the choice, which job option do you think will prepare me most as a nurse or provide me with the most useful clinical experience? Should I stick with being a CNA, try the mental health technician, or a clinic assistant?

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I'm not sure if you've already made the decision but the mental health technician role seems more nurse-y and up your alley than the clinic assistant. The clinic assistant seems to be more like a medical assistant position besides the venipuncture. Being a mental health technician you'd be doing CNA duties by providing care.

[Bulbasaurjuju]

I havent made a decision yet, but thank you so much for your input, I really appreciate it! I think I have decided on that as well.