Good grades or CNA experience more important when applying for jobs?

[magn1jes]

I was recently offered a direct care assistant job (basically a CNA w/extra duties). The pay is paltry, and it is a long drive, but it would be good experience... I am thinking about turning down the offer, though . The instructors I have at school all STRONGLY recommend working as an aid while going to school, even if it is casual, and as much as I would like experience, I don't know if it is really realistic for me to have two jobs. Quitting my main job is not an option, and I also have school, and a husband. I am busy with these things, and we are trying to start a family. So, basically my question is... which is more important to an employer, good grades while in school or experience as an aid?

Thanks for reading, and for any insight.

[vivianchi2000RN]

I never worked as an aide before i got into nursing school even though everyone told me too and how a good experience it really is. I stayed in school and got good grades. Your clinical sessions in the program will be able to give you some experience you need as an RN. If the job will interfere with your studies, drop it. If you feel u can juggle both, go for it.

I believe one of the reasons people will tell you to work as a CNA is for you to get the feel of what is like working in the health care field or working with patients. And when you apply for a job as an RN, your CNA experience will not matter because they are two different scope of nursing practice.

[CathyLew]

When I went for my job interview, they never asked me what kind of grades I had. They did ask past healthcare related experience. working as a CNA may tell you if you are cut out for healthcare ..or if they can't take it.... one thing some of my fellow class mates found out after they graduated.

Flip side, if you spread yourself too thin, your grades may suffer to the point of not passing. Bottom line, the most important thing they will be looking at is if you graduated and passed your boards.

[KTeacher2Nursing]

To be completely honest, having CNA or healthcare experience is what is important. Employers assume that you have "good grades" since you were able to make it out of the program. I know that I am having the worst time ever finding a CNA position because I do not have healthcare experience and no on wants to take a chance on me eventhough I have "good grades" in my nursing program. I suggest taking th position, in the worst case scenario you will find out that you dont like nursing and want to do something else. Best case scenario you can parlay this position into another one making more money since you are already working for them.

[vivianchi2000RN]

all you guys are right but i think now, you need to be able to sell yourself on paper i.e, your resume. if you are able to pick out your clinical experience and expantiate on it, i think it helps, Belonging to an honor nursing society also worked well because putting that on a resume, kind of set you apart from someone else.

I am just saying basically use what you have, to get what you want. lol. In life, we have to work with what we have.

[happy2learn]

I think both matters. I am taking a PCA course in the fall because CNA's only work in LTC's here. I have no desire to work in a LTC. I plan on working as a PCA part time while in school. But my grades are just as important to me because I plan on continuing my education after my RN.

I think the important thing is that you get direct patient contact. I'm also volunteering as a Nurse Assistant. I interact with patients and get them their meals all over the hospital on a regular basis. If you feel you can't commit to a 2nd job, maybe that would be a good alternative for you since it's only like 2 hours per week.

I also don't think you can judge the entire nursing field based on CNA experiences.

[nurse441]

as long as you pass..... grades does NOT matter... haha no one ever knows...

CNA experience= PRICELESS... trust me, i've been job hunting for 1 year. the ques "do you have experience, or any CNA experience?" comes up A LOT.

[Morgan0429]

experience....

[lucylu 777]

In the acute care hospital where I'm working at they are hireing new grads only if they worked as CNA in that hospital, no new grads from the outside, so my advise is take the job, not only will you have the expirence you can put on the resume but you will learn a lot of pricless bedside care - trust me: you won't get the CNA to do things for you in some places, sometimes you will have to do all the duties yourself but with the exposure you get as a cna you will be able to menage your time better and in general you will feel much more confidant on the job.

[nialloh, RN]

I would say take the job. If you find it is too much, you can drop it later. Not only will it help you after you graduate, it will help you in school. When you are doing your clinicals you will be more confident, and you will also see a lot of cool things that you might not get a chance to in school. A lot of nurses will also show you things if they know you are a nursing student, and sometimes even let you do it. I was a pca for 1 1/2 years, and it really does make you a better nurse. You have your patient care down pat, and you are more comfortable. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[SWS RN, ASN, RN]

Definitely the CNA experience!

As long as you have a valid nursing license, no one will care about your grades...bottom line...you have a license.

THey will care if you have experience and it will give you a large jump ahead of the other new grads when it comes time to job hunt.

If you can possibly do it...go for it...also gives you a taste of what it's like in the real world that clinicals could not possibly do... as in clinic you only have one or two patients and are led by another nurse and instructor...in real world you have 6-8 and you are on your own...

This should give you the opportunity to learn how to prioritize and pace yourself.

Good Luck, the job market is extremely tight right now and the best well written resume will not mean as much as experience.

s

[netglow, ASN, RN]

OP, If you can swing it and keep stellar grades then do it. Where I am CNA/tech experience is not a factor in employment in as it once was. However we are being asked about our transcripts... yea, the job market is that tight. I guess in the old days, being a nursing student and working as a tech meant that you would be allowed to learn nursing skills along the way, be more of an apprentice. This is rare these days due to liability reasons. Most techs I know have no time but to just barely get their scheduled duties done by end of shift. Too bad. Thing is, employers know you have just been doing CNA tasks as well.

A friend of mine lived very close to a neighboring state and got a shadowing opportunity at a hospital across the border. This was a good old fashioned type where she assisted the nurse with all her duties and heavily participated in only nursing tasks. This was not a tech/CNA position. She ended up getting a job after graduation at this hospital. Unfortunately in my state this does not exist, also our state laws are different.