Have to work in hospital while in school?

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Does anyone know if I really need to work in healthcare before graduating. I have my CNA license but I have two small children so Im not working but I know people say that you should work to gain experience. Or be a nurse tech to gain experience. Do I really really need to work in the healthcare field before I graduate. I feel like if I dont as soon as I get my RN license I will feel so lost. Any tips?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Being a tech helped me, but if it isn't right for your family, then don't do it. No matter what it is a universal feeling of new grads to feel lost, confused, and incompetent at times. Get into a job with a good preceptorship and you'll do just fine.

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Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.

You don't have to...

Being a CNA or Nurse Tech is different from being an RN.

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school is so timeconsuming it is difficult to juggle school and parenting, a spouse will understand the demands on time but with children the concept of time is different, remember how long a year was when you were a kid

i believe that if you have to work that a job in a healthcare field will give you a view into what goes on but if it is financial possible for you to devote your time to studying that is really great

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I didn't. It was all I could do to take care of my child and go to school (husband was military and gone a lot). I did well in school and got a job 2 months before I even graduated. Do what is best for you and your family.

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Thanks for the tips. Im glad to hear thats its not absolutely necessary to work. Im sure Ill be lost in the beginning but thats how all jobs are.

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Specializes in ED.

No, it isn't necessary. I am not working while in school, except this summer I am doing an internship for 10 weeks which will hopefully help me later on. I think you should try for an internship or preceptorship to give you additional hospital experience. Being a NA can help get your foot in the door but I know many who are working and barely hanging on in school, so it is more important to get as much as you can out of school, that will make you a better nurse than working as a NA and not studying enough to make it.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Nope. Optional.

I didn't work in a hospital before becoming an RN

It may be helpful in giving the new clinician a headstart, but not mandatory.

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Absolutely not a must! I never worked in healthcare before I became a nurse...unless of course caring for my own child who is medically involved counts........which doesn't seem to when applying to jobs, and I have 18 years exp .....just because I was not "formally" employed lots of places don't count it unfortunately. Have you thought about maybe becoming a PCA? (personal care attendant) in peoples homes? It is sort of along the lines of a nurses aid....it pays around $11.000- $12.00 an hour. If you were thinking of working in the field before you are finished school. Just an idea is all.

I see some people mention that their school required them to be CNA's to even get into the nursing program.......I think that's kind of strange, but whatever.....I personally don't think one HAS to have healthcare experience to become a nurse.....it's a personal choice as far as I am concerened. I think it is a very good idea if you want to see if nursing is for you so you don't get through school then realize you don't like it.....

No education is a waste at all....but some nursing schools are very expensive and if someone doesn't get any type of grants or student loans I honestly don't know how they do it. Around where I live (don't know about you) but they allow nursing students to be CNA's IF they have completed 1 or sometimes 2 clinical rotations....then you are exempt from taking the CNA class.....however you have to be actively enrolled in a nursing program at least that's how it was from the places I went to for rotations.

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Absolutely not a must! I never worked in healthcare before I became a nurse...unless of course caring for my own child who is medically involved counts........which doesn't seem to when applying to jobs, and I have 18 years exp .....just because I was not "formally" employed lots of places don't count it unfortunately. Have you thought about maybe becoming a PCA? (personal care attendant) in peoples homes? It is sort of along the lines of a nurses aid....it pays around $11.000- $12.00 an hour. If you were thinking of working in the field before you are finished school. Just an idea is all.

I see some people mention that their school required them to be CNA's to even get into the nursing program.......I think that's kind of strange, but whatever.....I personally don't think one HAS to have healthcare experience to become a nurse.....it's a personal choice as far as I am concerened. I think it is a very good idea if you want to see if nursing is for you so you don't get through school then realize you don't like it.....

No education is a waste at all....but some nursing schools are very expensive and if someone doesn't get any type of grants or student loans I honestly don't know how they do it. Around where I live (don't know about you) but they allow nursing students to be CNA's IF they have completed 1 or sometimes 2 clinical rotations....then you are exempt from taking the CNA class.....however you have to be actively enrolled in a nursing program at least that's how it was from the places I went to for rotations.

Yes working in the summer sounds great although the only reason I do not like to work right now is because I have a 2yr old and a 3yr old and I do not like to take them to day care I feel bad because my 2yr old hangs on my leg and doesnt let me leave so that is the only reason I feel bad about working summers.

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I worked in a hospital while I went to school, it did benifit me- I think it just made me more comfortable in the hospital environment.

If you don't want to though, don't. I don't think you will be 'lost' after u grad, after all you will have had all of your clinical experiences and you will have orientation for your new job.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Thanks for the tips. Im glad to hear thats its not absolutely necessary to work. Im sure Ill be lost in the beginning but thats how all jobs are.

Remember though that you will have a preceptorship somewhere your final semester that helps to ease the transition, so you won't be totally lost.

Good luck!

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