How beneficial is a CNA job?b

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Hi! So I started my ABSN program in January. I worked as a PCA for 3 years prior to starting nursing school. I've been at my most recent job for about a year, just went from full time to per diem. I haven't worked a single shift since starting nursing school. I should have expected this going into an accelerated program, but I feel like I've been really having a hard time with how fast paced the schedule is! I am ALWAYS studying! In the past month I haven't gone out with my friends once, hardly been able going to the gym, taking ballet classes, any of the things I really enjoy doing. I'm either at school, or at home studying!

In order to stay per diem at work I need to work 5 shifts a month. Including 1 weekend, 2 week days. Problem is I hardly have any weekdays off! And my weekend is spent in the library. Personally, I feel like I need a little more ~me~ time right now as is..My PCA job is stressful at times - I'm the only aid for 12/13 full care needy patients. I absolutely love it, but school is stressing me out..and the last thing I want to do on a study break is go into a hospital and deal with more nursing stuff / stress!

The one thing keeping me at my job right now is that the nurse manager told me she wanted to keep me per diem so they can keep me on as a RN when I graduate. I know so many of ya'll work while in school and have homes and children to manage and still manage to pull through completely sane..but I'm already burnt out. I feel so pathetic. Finances aren't an issue- my boyfriend is offering to help support me until I graduate, and I've managed to save up enough money that I think I could get by on the past 12 months with just a little babysitting here and there. I'd love to be able to just work during my spring break, holidays and then pick up later in the program if I feel like I can manage it but I just know I can't meet my obligations right now.

But long story short - how much of a difference does having a PCA job make in job searching after graduation? Is it worth letting my studying/grades slip a little? Or am I better off quitting before they (potentially...I'm a worrier) fire me for not being able to work the mandated weekday shifts?

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I think passing grades are more important.

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Specializes in Public Health.

Typically I wouldn't give this advice but I would just quit. It's not nearly as important as school. Hopefully they will still be willing to hire you after you graduate.

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I'm in the same situation as you. So I started looking for other jobs with better PRN options. Luckily I finally got a call back from a hospital for a per diem position and I'm only required to work once every couple of months to keep my position. Maybe you can find something that will better fit your schedule. I went per diem at my current job and they still expect me to work 3 days a week and balance my accelerated program. Your grades are more important. Try finding something that'll work out better for you.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses.com

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Thank you guys for the input! I think I was asking that hoping other people tell me its okay to quit..I'm going to talk to my manager first, hopefully they'll be willing to work with my crazy schedule. I just know jobs are so hard to come by these days and I don't want to throw away a future job at a hospital I really do love working at!

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That's true. But if you don't pass your classes due to stress at work then that'll be a harder spill to swallow, and hopefully they can understand that! Either they will work with you, or you'll have to quit. Best of luck to you! I know how hard it can be to make a decision like this.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

Hi there! I just started an accelerated program too and I know what you mean. I do work 10 hours a week and it is very hard. But everyone says the first semester is the most intense. Maybe give yourself a break during the first semester and when you get into the swing of things go back to your job.

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Specializes in Pharmaceutical Research, Operating Room.

I'm finishing up my accelerated program, and I haven't worked at all while I've been in it (thanks to the most amazing and supportive fiance ever!). Just my observation, but it seems like those people who worked throughout the program were way more stressed out and had poorer grades than those of us that were not working (I don't ask about grades, I only know that because some people can't seem to stop divulging their personal information). I also know several people that graduated ahead of me that got jobs in hospitals without an ounce of experience as a PCA/CNA/etc. in the same hospital, so I don't think anybody absolutely has to have experience working where you're going to apply for RN jobs. I personally think grades are more important, especially if you intend to further your education beyond a BSN.

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Thanks for being so supportive everyone! I knew nursing school was going to be hard but I still just feel so out of control! Like I can't seem to get into a routine because I still don't have a handle on what I should be doing for each class. Gah! I'm hoping I start to feel a little less disorganized soon. My program does a lot of front loading, we've already had about 8 kids drop. There are about 4 girls in the program who had to stay back a semester because they failed a class, I do not want that to be me!

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Nursing is my second career. I quit my previous job (not in healthcare) to go to school. I never worked as a CNA....one week after passing NCLEX the first time...I was hired. I am glad I could concentrate on school and just passing. The ins and outs on the floor that CNA and PCT were learned quickly by me on the floor....I have no regrets...

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Specializes in ER.

I had lower grades than the peers who did not work, however my job ensured that I had two offers and over 5 interviews before I walked for graduation. Now a lot of people are starting to freak out because they were relying on entering a residency program that turned around and only hired less than 25 people.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Depends on what the hiring practices are in your area, and if you want to work in that hospital as an RN after you graduate.

In my area, new grads are having trouble getting hospital jobs unless they're already working for a hospital. (Active employees can bid on jobs internally, before they are available to the general public.) Talk to your hospital's nurse recruiter / HR department and find out if you'd be considered eligible for hire as a new grad RN with your previous employment history, or only if you're an active employee.

If getting a job as a new grad won't be a problem as a no-longer-employee, go ahead and quit. Otherwise, try to tough it out if you can.

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