HELP!

[kvergin]

I am a nursing student in the first semester of the program. I am wanting to get a job somewhere medical because I believe it will be good for me to get my foot in the door. I also believe it will help with experience in some of my classes right now. I do not have my CNA license, so I am hoping this doesn't keep me from getting a job somewhere. I am not sure as to what positions I am able to do just being in my first semester of the program. I need ideas of where to begin or even where to begin to look! I need all advice I can get!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hi kvergin! Welcome.

I don't know where you live or what requirements are expected or whether you are married or have kids so it is hard to say what exactly is the right way to go. Everyone has a different experience.

For me, nursing was a second career move. I was 40, married, and had 3 kids when I graduated with a nursing degree and passed NCLEX. My wonderful mentor, a former nursing educator in Chicago and our DON at our local hospital at the time told me to focus on school only. The summer before school started, many of my fellow nurses were scrambling to get their CNA class. My mentor told me to simply enjoy summer with my family because the next two years were going to be very busy. And she said having your CNA license and working as a CNA didn't necessarily guarantee anything. Where I live, you don't have to be a CNA first. You learn all the patient care skills that CNA's learn in the first 6 weeks or so of nursing school. She also said it would be better not to have a job while in school and I was fortunate that I had been a stay-at-home mom prior to this and didn't need to work.

Personally, I'm glad I took her advice. It worked for me. The kind of person you've always been will shine through regardless. I'm a team player and work well side-by-side with the CNA's and am not the kind of nurse who won't help out the CNA's if I can. In fact, I started my day at 0315 by doing rounds with the CNA and assessing my patients then. It worked for my small rural hospital.

Everyone's experience will be different. You will get a lot of good personal advice here. Looking forward to other's comments.

Best wishes!

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Patient care technician in hospital....would compliment your nursing school experience ....plus you will "have your foot in the door". Je: after graduation

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Some hospitals hire first and second semester nursing students as PCTs or CNAs as sole criteria.

Good luck and you are wise to get your foot in the door!

[kvergin]

Thank you for the advice! I am actually from the LaPorte county area. Going to Purdue North Central for nursing. I also am single with no children! This is very helpful so thank you very much!

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

Thank you for the advice! I am actually from the LaPorte county area. Going to Purdue North Central for nursing. I also am single with no children! This is very helpful so thank you very much!

I don't know how it works where you are, but after the first nursing skills lab, I was qualified to sit for my CNA exam - so if you are in nursing school, you don't have to take any sort of CNA program to be eligible to be a CNA.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Some employers will train you. Working as a PCT in a hospital or an aide in a LTC or Assisted Living facility will help you master some of your patient care skills. It will also assist with learning time management. If you feel like you can handle working and going to school - go for it. Plenty of us worked/work while going to school full time. It is possible.