being a full time college student & CNA

[star_b]

hello! i have decided to become a CNA and i am going to be training in september. but i am also working (desk job) and a full time college student. (Psychology major) i want to get my feet wet in the medical field since my career goal is to be a marriage & family therapist (gotta start somewhere right?)

i want to know if there is anyone on here are full time college students and CNA students at the same time. how did you handle all the homework?! lol

seriously, i would really like you experiences and how you handled working, and being a student in college and a CNA program.

much thanks!

[hollandvictoria]

I work 40-60 hours a week and am a full-time student (even over the summer!). I don't have any trouble at all balancing it all. Everyone's different though, and if you have a lot of family/social obligations it will be tougher.

And something else to consider if you're wanting to be an OB tech: my hospital does not allow CNAs to work as OB techs. Our OB techs are required to have a Scrub Tech certification so they can assist with deliveries/c-sections. It's a different skill set and many facilities have different requirements. Make sure you look into it!

How long have you been going to college and working CNA full time? I am looking into being one to work my way through college, because I plan on being an RN and it seems like a fantastic start in the right direction.

[californication]

Working as a CNA and being in school was rough. I had classes every day, pretty much all day long. I would only work a couple days a week because I was so exhausted. The experience is good, but don't let yourself get in over your head.

[mrsbrees]

I don't have any experience with this yet but just wanted you to know I am going to be in the same boat. I'm taking STNA class right now and already have a job offer upon passing the test. However I will be taking a pay cut because I was a bartender before and made pretty good money. I start nursing school in September so I have the same concerns you do weather Ill be able to handle it or not! Remember you can do what you set your mind to but also try to have some time for yourself. People also ask me why I would take a job where I'll be making less money. The truth is not everything is about dollar amount. Working as an STNA will provide experience in the medical field which cant hurt anyone looking to work with patients in the future. Also this job offers a guaranteed paycheck, medical insurance, 401k, ect.. which I did not have while bar tending. At the end of the day I feel I will be happy about the work I've done knowing I helped someone. Hope you will feel the same! Don't let anyone discourage you from something you feel is right for you! Good Luck!

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

It sucks to come home feeling totally drained and have to change into street clothes and go to school, then spend HOURS doing homework on your days off, but you get used to it. I didn't go to school last semester because nothing I needed was available during my non-work hours and now I have to force myself to sign up for classes again in the fall... most likely on a campus that's much further away from where I live... uggh. What I wouldn't give to be a spoiled rich girl who doesn't have to pay for college or work full time!

I had to take a semester off to actually take the CNA class though. Mine was 3 nights a week for 3 hours and then clinical was 3 nights a week for 5 hours. And I worked all day. So there was literally no time for regular classes. It was kinda nice because I didn't have to deal with all that homework on my days off because the CNA work is sooooo easy.

[lidleanjel]

I am a student for Nursing school (getting my ADN) and work 3 nights a week as a CNA. I make more money then I did when I worked 40hrs a week at a desk job. the money part is all about where you are located and where you get a job. LTC usually will pay a little more then the hospital, but getting on the hospital is not always an easy task. best way, in my opinion is to know people.

when it comes to school and work, its NOT easy. the CNA class is very easy. i actually took that before leaving my daytime desk job. very common sense. the best advice I can give for the CNA class is by a stethoscope and b/p cuff (they have a cheap package deal with both which I would recommend if you dont plan on staying in medical field). practice taking blood pressures on EVERYONE. the state test is really easy too.

when it comes to nursing school and working 3 nights a week, it is very hard, but do able. I work 3nights a week and the program I am in is 8wk classes. I have class/clinicals 5 days a week. you might have to remove yourself from some fun times with family and friends because studying is most important goal for awhile, but I have done both going on almost 2yrs. just make sure you schedule in class time and study time every day and take at least 1 day a week or half day off for yourself so you dont get burnt out.

and when it comes to studying...I study at work when I can, but down time for 3rd shift is probably available a little more than other shifts. I have never had a problem with studying as long as patients are being taken care of and my tasks of clean and stocked rooms has been completed my the time I leave work. you dont have to use a textbook at work (which I do use) but you could keep flash cards in your pocket too. I have studied for classes at both long term facility and the now at the hospital. its NEVER been a problem for me. just dont expect to study only at work. there are nights that I have had high hopes to study related to test in the morning and have never had the chance because of how busy we were that night.

hope this makes you feel better. I have done my whole college life working and studying, just not easy on the "enjoying fun" part at times.

[maggiex3]

I will be a junior this fall (I'm also a psych major and I'm in good academic standing at my college) and I work full time as a cna during school. For me it was important that I found a job willing to work around my school schedule, I tried to put as many of my classes on tuesday and thursday as possible so I could work 3-11 every other monday, every wednesday and friday, and every other weekend (again my boss is really accommodating so I was allowed to work at 4 on wednesdays because I had class until 3:20). The most important word of advice I can give you if you want to work full time while you're in school at any job not just a cna job is know your limits and be honest with yourself. Are you the type of person who is willing to/doesn't mind staying up until 3 in the morning if you have to because you have a paper due the next day and you had to work? Can you plan your time well enough that you are able to finish all of your homework on your days off and even get ahead with some readings? It takes a lot of commitment but if you are willing to put in the effort it is possible to do both and not have your grades suffer.