Published
It depends on where you go for classes and where you end up being hired. I took morning pre-req classes and my CNA training was in the afternoon/evening. I finished my quarter for CC the week before clinicals started so I had all my time to devote to them. Though the school I went to had a few different options for clinical completion (days vs evenings vs weekends only) so I likely could have worked something out if I was still in classes. I didn't find it particularly difficult to juggle the two (though I wasn't taking a full load at CC at the time) and was not the only student in the CNA program that was doing both.
I now work part-time while I'm in school. I work swing shift so I can attend classes during the day. So far scheduling hasn't been a problem for me. If I have something going on at school that may make me late (e.g. final exams have non-standard schedules) I let my supervisor know well in advance and work out the best option for dealing with it. I did make a point of mentioning I was a student during my interview and was very upfront about the fact that I would primary want swing shifts with a regular schedule but was/am open to occasionally covering other shifts when I have time in my schedule. She has hired other students in the past and is very willing to work with me. Other facilities/managers may not be the same.
I've found that organization and communication are key to keeping work and school from interfering with eachother.
5ummer
54 Posts
Right now I'm in the process of my prereqs, but I'm focusing on taking a Cna class sometime within the next couple of months. What I'm concerned about it does the scheduling work around your school schedule? Do u have adequate time to study?