Experience ????

Some facilities allow nursing students who have already taken certain classes (such basic nursing care) to work as nursing assistants without certification. Big facilities should have experience with such situations and a clear policy of who is qualified for their nursing assistant positions.

Working as an assistant while in school can be a great experience. You can also inquire if there are any auxiliary positions specifically for nursing students. Sometimes those positions will allow you to get more exposure to licensed nursing care as opposed to be limited to hygiene, ADLs, etc, too busy with your own job role to ever really have a chance to observe the licensed nurses in action. Though even that kind of experience is very useful!

I worked as a tech/UC in a hospital for 3 years while in nursing school, and I cannot tell you how much it helped me!!! I highly recommend it! First, it will increase your comfort level when working with pts/families, and the environment as a whole. Second, it was extremely helpful when we would discuss something in lecture and then I would go to work and see it right in front of me. Also, I wasn't nearly as stressed about clinicals as some of my peers were.

As far as having a license, why do you need one? They are called UNlicensed assistive personel (UAP). Long term care facilities might require you to have a certification or something along those lines, but a lot of hospitals will train you, and you won't need any kind of certificate to work there.

Working in direct pt care is probably the best thing you can do. You can also volunteer for things, such as health fairs, etc. Check with your school, I'm sure there are some kinds of activities you can participate in.

Did I answer your questions right?? Good luck!