Help! Was job offered at a great hospital as a CNA, so should I postpone nursing school?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi everyone,

I have had one hard time deciding what to do with my career. I'm 21, and just graduated from college in May. I've been working as a CNA since August and have accumulated 800 hours. Since being a CNA I have fallen in love with all the aspects of nursing. This profession is made of hard, resilient women and men and I admire and aspire to one day be in their shoes. I can truly see myself as an RN and maybe one day an ARNP.

So here's my dilemma:

I live in Washington state and was offered a great position at one of the leading trauma hospitals in the region as a CNA. However, the unit I was job offered on has a one year "unspoken" commitment. I really don't want to burn any bridges by leaving early. On top of that I have to take two more classes (one Chem and Microbio), and then I'm done with all prerequisites. However, I don't want to work and go to school.

Some background, I want to apply to the nursing school on the east part of WA state where I graduated from. I'll also look at some of the programs close to where I live. I would preferably start August 2018.

So my question to everyone is,

Should I take the CNA job for the experience and postpone nursing school 1.5 to 2 years or should I just focus on nursing school?

The decision is eating at me because I don't want to keep waiting to start a career that I know I will love, but I am afraid to pass up on an experience like this that could get my foot in the door after I graduate from nursing school.

Please tell me thoughts and opinions!!!

Thank you!!!

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
My suggestion is that you start school as soon as possible. You stated you still need chemistry and microbiology, could you work as a CNA at the same time as getting the courses completed? I do believe the CNA position could be positive; however, not over starting school. In most positions, the facility is glad when you are going to school.

Again, do not postpone starting school. Talk with the facility and discuss that you want to go to school, could you go on part-time or prn when school starts. Then look at the pros and cons. Then make your decision. All the best.

This is what I was thinking. Plan on going to school when you want to and level with your prospective employer. Tell them how much you'd love a job as a CNA in their hospital, but you will not be able to stay on full time when you are in school. If they still want you, then you get the best of both worlds with their blessing.

Good luck.

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don't put a job before your career

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CNA here. Do not postpone school for a job unless you have no other choice. I have been a CNA for almost 8 years. I love my job and have had gained great experience. However I wish I could have went back to school sooner. Talk to your potential employer and see how receptive they are to you going to school (beware attitudes could change).

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

No, you should not postpone nursing school.

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I know you stated you don't want to work while in nursing school. ALL of my classmates worked, many full time with kids. I didn't have to work full time, but I chose Registry at my hospital. I chose my days and hours. I would seriously consider this. I was a .2 I believe, where my requirement was to work 2 shifts in a 2 week period. Do you really think you wouldn't be able to handle 4 days of working a month?

If you did that through 2-4 years of nursing school, your resume would stand out greatly among others upon graduation. I don't know where pp got "nursing shortage" from. Thousands of new grads are spit out of schools each semester with no job prospects.

I almost never tell people what to do in their careers, but I confidently say, don't wait. Go!

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Nobody WANTS to work and go to nursing school. But the fact is, many of us had to do both.

The answer is... work part time.

Good luck to you.

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Would working as a CNA for 1 year put you in a more desirable financial situation? If money is not an issue, I would go ahead and start nursing school ASAP.

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I have a few words No way, go to school and finish

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Thank you everyone for your replies! I called and let them know. She actually told me she could offer me one 12 hr shift each week, and to work during summers and breaks and eventually I could work as a nurse tech as I got farther along in nursing school! Thanks again!!!

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Thank you everyone for your replies! I called and let them know. She actually told me she could offer me one 12 hr shift each week, and to work during summers and breaks and eventually I could work as a nurse tech as I got farther along in nursing school! Thanks again!!!

This sounds great I'm glad it worked out

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