Does cna experience count when looking for a job as RN?

[nylady07]

I am new to posting to this site so first off, HI EVERYONE!!

I have read a few threads where New Grad RN's are having a had time finding jobs especially in NYC where I am from.

I am will be attending Bronx Community College next month and I'm looking for a way to avoid the New Grad RN drama when I graduate as much as I can.

So my question is: Could cna experience count as the 1 year experience hospitals are looking for?

If not, what can i do to show experience or at least boost my resume when the time comes to apply?

I was thinking that working as a CNA in a hospital would get my foot in the door at least?

My goal is to eventually become a Nurse Anesthetist which most master programs want 1-2 years of critial care nursing before applying and I was hoping that while working on my bachelors, I could also be working my way to that 2 year requirement. Trying to be pro-active very early.

So any help/advice/life experiences would be appreciated.

[nylady07]

P.S... I do understand that most students usually have 5-7 years critcal care nursing experience when applying for CRNA programs. The medical profession is rampant in my family so they all drilled this into me. I would just like feedback from people in today job market than retired nursing veterans. My other care path would be pediatric nursing so any advice on that path would be great as well.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

CRNA programs want a minimum of 1-2 years of fulltime RN experience in an ICU. Experience as a CNA will not count for this.

This is the minimum. I know of one CRNA program in the East where the mean years of RN experience for the Fall 2011 class is 9 years (with the range of 2 - 30).