Getting some experience

[Adams_Mommy_07]

I was wondering if anyone here is contemplating this or perhaps is doing this...but in order to get a feet wet I have been considering taking a CNA course, phlebotomy course, EKG tech course etc. If I do elect to do so, I don't know which one to take!!!! I plan on applying to Nursing School next fall for the following fall and currently work as personal banker making a lot more money than any of the aforementioned technicians do. Plus I get good vacation time and benefits. I am more interested in the course itself and getting my feet wet and maybe working part-time on the side just for the experience, if I can, while maintaining at least part-time status at my present job. I really do not know what any of these classes or the actual jobs entail for the previously mentioned positions.

Do you think that any work in these areas would be DETRIMENTAL to my application. I am applying for an AE MS Nursing program for people who already have bachelor's degrees. I don't want to take on these jobs if they actually would negatively impact my admissions potential.

Any opinions would be be greatly appreciated.

[RN2BMU2009]

I am a second semester junior at a local university and I work as a patient care technician (CNA) on the med-surg floor. I am PRN so I get floated ALOT. To the psych floor, ER, surgery center, cardiac unit, OB, ICU, peds. I worked in a factory for the first semester that I was in school. When I say that my pay was nearly cut in half...I mean it. I gave up alot, senority, benefits, vacation, paid leave, 401k. I walked away from it all, and I don't regret any of it. I see first hand just about every aspect of what my job will consist of. When you hear about a disease or pathology of a disease in lecture and actually see it for yourself on the job, it really helps it to stick in the memory bank. The other nurses who have been where you are really sympathize with what you are going through and they are usually ready to help you out in any way they can; at least that is the case where I work at. I cannot say what you should do as I don't know what your finacial situation is but I would encourage anyone to get a job in the field that you would be working in. I hope this helps and good luck!

[ExpatHopeful, LPN, LVN]

I think any of those jobs would be a big plus on your resume as they will indicate that you have committed yourself to nursing by already beginning to switch careers and that you have had experience in a medical setting and with patients.

Of the three I would recommend being a CNA because in my opinion there is more variety in the skills learned and the situations you will find yourself in. Although I am a CNA, so I guess you have to take my advice with a grain of salt! Phlebotomists take blood samples and EKG techs do EKGs. As far as I'm aware that's all those two positions do. After a ten minute procedure it's on to the next patient. I personally would get a bit bored taking blood samples all day or doing EKGs all day. As a CNA you have the chance to pick up a lot of different skills and also to get to know patients for longer than it takes to draw up a blood vial. Not that there is anything wrong with being an EKG tech or phlebotomist, just that I think being a CNA would probably give you more insight into what being a nurse is like. Also being a CNA is chance to make sure you have the stomach for nursing, and I'm talking about fluids other than blood. Check out some of threads on the CNA board as there are quite a few that talk about what CNAs actually do and what the training involves.

In short, go for it!