Foot in the door

[cally527, RN]

I am currently taking prereq classes and plan to apply to a PT RN progam. When I was younger I wanted to be a doctor or nurse but my life just went a different way. I have a bachelors degree in business but I have been unemployed for over a year now which is why I have decided to finally go for my RN. Is it in my best interests to get a job at a hospital or medical center now (as a patient access rep. etc). Or should I wait until after I have some nursing classes under my belt and then try to get a CNA position?

[BostonFNP, APRN]

CNA jobs are probably your best bet.

You can get certified pretty quickly and apply for jobs if you won't be in school for a bit. If you are starting school right away, after your first semester of M/S you will be able to work as a CNA as well. Really depends on how long you want to wait before working.

My opinion would be if you aren't working now, why not take the CNA course and start? :)

[yp1624]

From experience I would start applying for any job in a hospital because when I was in school I applied to several hospitals and did not get a chance to get a job as a cna on time and had a hard time finding a nursing job after. I know several ppl that were secretary, receptionist and other jobs within the hospital and just transferred to cna jobs and some straight to nursing right after. I would start applying and if you dont find anything then start applying to those cna positions when in school. Good Luck, hopefully by the time you graduate there are more jobs!!

[sbostonRN]

Try to get a job working in patient care. I worked at a hospital for 5 years before & during nursing school, but in a laboratory position where I didn't work with nurses or patients. You want to work with other nurses who will hopefully want to hire you as a nurse once you graduate from school. Since I didn't work with any nurse managers, I didn't have any contacts and thus, had to leave my hospital job for a nursing home to get RN experience. best of luck!

[mama.RN]

If you can, try to get a CNA job at a hospital that has a new grad program. Two I know of are Saints Memorial (Lowell) and Lowell General --- I think they only hire new nurses internally, won't even consider you if you're not already a CNA there. Not sure about other hospitals.

[cally527, RN]

Thanks for the replies. I have been applying to local hospitals and medical centers. So far no luck. I am looking into CNA courses. My biggest concern is that I have very little money to spend on courses. I am sure I will find something that will work for me.