Considering CNA while in RN school...

yeshecan · Jan 16, 2012

I think that is a good idea.

finished LPN school in dec 2010. had a job that I liked, but I was fired.

KatieJ91 · Jan 17, 2012

I am a nurse extern. I get to work on the floor at whatever level I am at school Ex: When I learn how to start IVs and get checked off at school I can then do it at work. You are pretty much a glorified CNA though because there tends to be a lot more call lights that need answered (on my floor) than IVs getting started. I feel like I have a major advantage in school having more time in the clinical setting. I feel like I have more confidence when providing pt care in front of my teachers and I have more knowledge about disease processes and skill check offs. If you CNA and the RNs know that you are a nursing student they might be more willing to let you watch procedures or let you ask questions about processes and such. It can only be a benefit in my opinion if you are able to work hours that work with your school schedule.

werkinit · Jan 17, 2012

It's a great idea & worth the experience/networking potential. All the students in my class who worked as CNAs got jobs first, or had them lined up before we graduated. The rest of us had to scramble quite a bit harder and many of us are not getting acute care jobs (working sub acute, home health, LTC) or we're being hired float/per diem.

Granted, I'm in California where the new grad RN market is horribly impacted & competitive...

Good luck!

:twocents:

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 17, 2012

I worked as as CNA to make sure that I could ALL the parts of nursing. It certainly gives you a tremendous amount of appreciation of what they do. I think it helps when you start clinical work and will help when you go to get a job.

randomCNA · Jan 17, 2012

I think this is a great idea! It will give you perspective from all ends of the spectrum. You can't really go wrong... just be careful because if you do something to lose your CNA license, you won't be able to ever work in healthcare again. But, you have to do something very abusive, in all honesty, I've never heard of an aide getting a tag and I've been in the field for years.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2012

YES. Do it. I know it's how I got the job I have now

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2012

I think it's a great idea. I looked in to it but since I was in an accelerated program, by the time I would have gotten CNA certification, I would have been nearly done with my program. Work experience during your program will help familiarize yourself with the hospital/LTC environment, you can use it to network and show your employer what an awesome employee you are and show other future employers that even though you don't have RN experience as a new grad, you do have healthcare experience.

Snowbird17 · Jan 18, 2012

Totally worth it. You will be a better nurse because you have more hands on time. You will also treat your CNA co-workers with more respect because you know what the role is like. And most importantly, it does get your foot in the door somewhere. Some hositals even pay you more once you are a nurse, counting your CNA time as experience. So you will not star at new-grad pay.

jemmens · Jan 21, 2012

My school as soon as you finish fundamentals, you dont even have to sit for the CNA exams because our names get sent to the state board of nursing. I work in the ER now and I have done several CNA jobs before this and it is totally worth, I am learning alot.

NurseLatheron · Jan 23, 2012

I am thinking about doing the same thing. I am a 1st level Clinical Student, and I was told the same thing about obtaining a CNA license. I, too, think this is a great idea. Learning more hands-on training. I am going to try the same technique, cause I am fresh out of high school, w/o any experience in healthcare profession. Sounds great to me^^

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jan 23, 2012

I found out that once I finnish my Fundamentals class, I am able to sit for the CNA test and get my CNA license. I am considering doing this, so I can get a part time job while I finnish up my RN program, and then maybe have a little foot in the door once I finnish. Has anyone done this? Was it worth it?

Sounds like a plan. :) I would check and see if you need to have that CNA license at all. You may be able to just work as a nurse tech at your hospital while attending school. Which is pretty much the same thing as a CNA, except you don't have to take the CNA test. My school will allow us to work as a nurse tech after I've completed Fundamentals/Intro to Nursing. I plan to do this after my first semester of nursing school.

I think it would be great experience for us with patients, since our clinical times can be somewhat limited (days/hours). As a nurse tech (and current nursing student) you may also be allowed to perform tasks in which a CNA may not be able to do, depending on where you are in your nursing program and what duties and procedures you have performed. Of course, all this will be under the supervision of an RN.

I say go for it. It couldn't hurt. And, if anything it'll be beneficial to you in the long run. :)