Getting excited!

[Guest1029094]

One more pre req until I take my entrance exam for the ADN, RN program at my CC. I have been a hairstylist for 10 years and have never worked outside of the salon. I am having shoulder problems from the constant repetitive nature of blow drying and cutting hair. I love people young and old and have been striving towards the nursing program for years now. I have my AA degree as well. I'm 26 so by 30 will be RN. Should I be a caregiver in the meantime, would this help build any experience? I'll be an RN with no experience so I see many caregiving jobs part time and flexible looking for nursing and pre med students. I'm so excited I can't contain myself.. by the way with the RN I want to go where I'm needed and work towards my BSN out of pocket. I'm not bent on getting into a hospital and feel caregiving May open up some opportunities for me. Should I hold on to my hairdressing job through nursing school or go in to caregiving or both super part time? Thank you all!

[Sour Lemon]

One more pre req until I take my entrance exam for the ADN, RN program at my CC. I have been a hairstylist for 10 years and have never worked outside of the salon. I am having shoulder problems from the constant repetitive nature of blow drying and cutting hair. I love people young and old and have been striving towards the nursing program for years now. I have my AA degree as well. I'm 26 so by 30 will be RN. Should I be a caregiver in the meantime, would this help build any experience? I'll be an RN with no experience so I see many caregiving jobs part time and flexible looking for nursing and pre med students. I'm so excited I can't contain myself.. by the way with the RN I want to go where I'm needed and work towards my BSN out of pocket. I'm not bent on getting into a hospital and feel caregiving May open up some opportunities for me. Should I hold on to my hairdressing job through nursing school or go in to caregiving or both super part time? Thank you all!

Has your shoulder problem been diagnosed? Nursing and care-giving can both be physically strenuous. You'll want to be at your best and not exacerbate any existing problem.

Not considering the shoulder, I'd say there are a lot of variables to think about. I applied to be a CNA as a nursing student and didn't get hired. Looking back, I'm very glad.

The work I was already doing was well known to me and much easier than starting an entirely new job would have been. I also knew my boss and co-workers well, had seniority, and was able to work around a chaotic nursing school schedule.

On the other hand, working as a CNA can help you get your foot in the door. I know CNAs that were passed over for nursing positions by their facilities after graduation, though. It's certainly not a guarantee.