CNA work experience

Scrubz · Mar 12, 2007

I work as a CNA while in school. I think working a healthcare job, such as a CNA, would be the best job to work while in nursing school. You're pretty limited on what you can do (legally), but it does help you develop good communication skills with patients, which is important. You get to see a lot too, so you learn that way, especially when stuff goes wrong or when you get to go to codes. But yeah, working as a CNA would be a good decision. You'll already have one foot in the door of seeing how a hospital system works.

I mean, going into an RN position, going from a CNA to RN would be a much better transition than going from something like working in a resturant and then going to an RN position the next week, even with all the prior experiences you get during school.

I think a bunch of people from my class are in for a big suprise!!

Scrubz · Mar 12, 2007

Maybe you could try to work as a tech in the type of wing you want to work in after you graduate. Like if you want to be an ICU nurse, work ICU as a CNA. You'd at least to get to watch how stuff works.

Olli · Mar 12, 2007

I am in nursing school and I have worked as a CNA for few month. I think it helps but it takes your time too... I mean 8 hrs/week may seem like not a lot but then imagine how much studying you can get done in 8hrs! If you decide to work as CNA, I'd suggest registry (that way you get to choose days/time/and have an opportunity to work at different units) and hopsitals where they offer minimum 4 hrs shifts/week or 16 hrs/mnth. That way when you have exams, you can work only minimum and when you have more time, you can always add extra hrs... What also helps is the summer nursing externship.

Good luck!

midcom · Mar 12, 2007

I'm not a CNA, never had the interest in being one but after starting nursing school, I sure wish I had that experience behind me. Probably 2/3 of my classmates are CNAs & in clinical they are at a definate advantage. Patient care just seems to come naturally to them.

I am training to be a LPN & in our program, when you start, if you are a CNA, you can test out of all the skills that are taught in our 1st term Fundamentals class but the rest of us had to take that class, do 6 weeks of clinicals doing CNA work &, by the way, shell out $2,250 (difference between going part time to school & full time). And to be honest, that short training course still didn't get us up to the level that most of the CNAs are at. I wish I had gone through the traianing & worked 6 months or so before starting class.

I suspect that in any program, LPN or RN, you will have to be taught & demonstrate that you can perform the skills of a CNA. So, yes, I highly recommend doing it now before starting class. If you are feeling you won't have time for school & work, just work for awhile, even just 3-6 months) to get the experience & then quit so you can concentrate on school.

Dixie

midcom · Mar 12, 2007

I forgot, last week I talked with a recruiter for a hospital & asked her if new grads are hired to work in office settings or if it was necessary to get experience elsewhere. The first thing she asked was if I had any earlier experience in health care & indicated that without it, it may be difficult getting hired where I'd like to work.

Just a thought...

Dixie

Sillynicunurse · Mar 12, 2007

I am working as a tech while in nursing school( I don't have the option to not work at all). I think that it has helped me alot. I am able to work more comfortably with the patients in clinicals than those that have not had any patient care experience. My friend who is attending school with me does not have any patient care experience and has commented several times that my skills are far more advanced than hers I attribute that to my tech experience. Best of luck in whatever you chose to do.

krazy_coconuts · Mar 13, 2007

I think its a great idea to work as a CNA before or while in nursing school. Number one, its a great way to see what nursing is all about. Some people realize it isn't for them, and better to discover that before you're in too deep. Another, you probably won't find a better job that will work with your school schedule...you're an investment for them, plus don't forget tuition reimbersment. Last of all, working as an aide in a hospital you have your foot in the door. Depending on where you work you could eventually train as an ER tech, EKG tech, IV team...which all means a little more money. I've worked as a CNA/EKG tech for two years and its one of the best moves I've ever made. Good luck to you whatever you choose to do!

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 13, 2007

I think a bunch of people from my class are in for a big suprise!!

I think so too.

I think it's a great idea to get a part time job in the hospital, doing something, to get some experience. It can be very overwhelming! I absolutely recommend every nursing student work as an extern in the summer in the area that interests you. I have my interview tomorrow to work as an ER nurse extern!

I work as a tech and the experience is invaluable. I can definatly tell the difference btwn those who have some experience (even just a little bit) compared to my classmates who have none (and clinicals don't count!!). I think it even makes classroom learning easier because when your learning about traction in the book, I have actually seen it and worked with many patients on the ortho floor with it.

vluka · Mar 15, 2007

I want to thank each and everyone for your wonderful feedback. I currently work as a cashier once or twice a week while attending school full time. I am currently taking 14 credits. A couple more weeks till Spring Break! I figured that since I would like to become a nurse, I may as well surround myself with people who can be positive influences. I could not get into the CNA program for the Spring term, it filled up fast! I will try again in the Fall. It is offered twice a year at my school. I would like to wish you all the best of luck!

Thank you again,

VLuka

allnurses Guide · Mar 15, 2007

You should do a search on this subject - there are many threads and lots of advice.

I was not a CNA prior to nursing school. I was advised not to by my mentor, a nurse. The class would have taken the summer prior to school, which would have taken time away from my family and she said I was about to start two very hard years so I should spend the summer with my family and having fun.

I was not at a disadvantage - the first part of nursing school is learning the CNA stuff - why pay extra for a CNA class was my thought.

Good luck with school - and glad to see people interested in nursing.

steph

Cherish · Mar 15, 2007

This is my last week in my CNA course. I am glad I took it. Its not required in my nursing program but I wanted to have a part-time job for this summer and would work as a CNA, unit clerk, or phlebotomy (I'm certified). So figured I would take the class to get familiar in some of the procedures before I started the actual nursing course.

If you feel that you need it to get familiar with some tasks then by all means take it. But if it's only for a couple of months before you go to the nursing program I wouldn't take it. I don't start clinicals till Jan so I figured if I have 4-5 mths of hospital training and my foot in the door I can figure out my skills more and get used to the hospital I wish to work in.

You can also try to apply for unit clerk positions some do not require CNA or prior experience. Just as long as you know that you can file, have some medical terminology, type and that you have great customer service skills you should be fine.