Go for CNA or Volunteer?

[SwampCat]

Hey all. I have a dilemma. Here's the short and sweet version:

Should I:

A) Rearrange my spring semester schedule, pay $1k, take the CNA course and then look for work as an aide (which at the moment, does not look promising around here).

OR

B) Volunteer as an ED patient rep at the local hospital?

I'm really only looking for about 8hrs a week and making $ is not all that important to me (one 8hr shift/wk won't net squat anyways).

If all goes as planned, I'll be starting nursing school fall 2012. I'm leaning more toward the volunteering because I'll at least have "a foot in the door" (more like my toe) in a hospital and I won't have to pay for classes. The CNA class is tempting, I would eventually find a job I'm sure and I know it will give me more hands on experience than just being a rep.

Your thoughts?

[serasarah18]

I would say CNA. I volunteered before and it's not the same hands on experience. However, I got my license with my first semester of nursing school. I didn't have to pay for extra, because my classes counted towards getting my license. With that said, I still think it's better to become a CNA. I work in the NICU and the volunteers just hold babies, whereas I do almost everything a nurse does. I also have a stronger relationship with the staff because I have to work closer with them to coordinate activities.

[P B and J]

Great question, especially since it's one I wanted to know! I'm finishing my pre-req's, and plan to start NS in fall 2011. I don't think I could fit the CNA classes in my rotation for now, I'd have to take them this summer, and by then, it'd be too late to find much work before NS starts, (besides the lack of time once NS actually starts). I think once I get started this next semester, I'm going to check at the hosp. I want to work in for volunteer opportunities.

[SwampCat, BSN]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Based on what you all said and what the job market is looking like here, I am putting in my application to volunteer after the holidays. Hopefully I'll get a little bit of experience, and make a name for myself as a hard worker. Does anyone volunteer at two different places? I wonder if that's a good way to network, even if it's only one shift a week.

[K3ndraR]

I'm doing both! I'm in a pretty good situation. I'm currently a junior in high school and in a couple weeks I will start volunteering (I have to take 2 TB tests and I can't do that too soon since I had surgery yesterday). Then next year I can get the CNA through my school. Along with that, I am taking classes at a nearby community college. So I feel great about my future!

[havehope]

If you don't have kids and your parents are helping you, I would deff. do volunteering! That way...if you plan on going to nursing school you can pick the days you want to volunteer. So, when it starts to get tough you don't HAVE to work. And, a CNA is a plus but...if it doesn't look so good for you then I wouldn't pay to do it.

Hope this helps!