How to gain experience!!??

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I am in Nursing School at Laboure College, I am going through my Gen Eds right now but I want to gain experience from now and start working in a hospital setting so when I do go through clinicals I am familiar and not nervous or anything.. Whats the best way to go as far where to look for work? Should I get my CNA first and then look for work? Should I wait until I start doing rotations then look for work? Should I look for work now and where should I look into??

Really excited about being in Nursing School just want to be exposed to it from early!

Thanks!:)

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Specializes in Sub-Acute/Psychiatric/Detox.

I would get your CNA if time allows.

However, please understand that becoming a CNA in a hospital takes a very long time.

In reality it won't make much a difference being a CNA. I would focus on developing good study habits to deal with the material ahead of you. So you can focus more on clinical skills in the clinical setting.

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Specializes in LTC, rehab.

Dear friend,

I think having a CNA cert is a good start. Any experience is good, especially with this economy.

Ebra

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, home health, ms, resp....

getting your cna is a good idea, it will make you more comfortable in approaching and talking with the patients. You did not mention if you needed to work. It doesn't sound like you need the benefits. If you become a cna then work for an agency, you can get a lot of different experience and work basically when you want. That way you can keep the job while in the nursing program and not be stressed that you have to work X amount of hours.

The red cross is a good place to start to look into getting your cna certification.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

If you look at any Boston Hospital look for Patient Care Assistants, Clinical Care Technicians..things like that..you will get plenty of hands on experience and will get a lot of exposure. I work at a Boston hospital as a Clinical Care Tech and I have seen lots and the nurses are great with getting the students involved so they can learn.

Good Luck

PS..you do not need any certifications (CNA) for these types of jobs.

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hi pkane2005,

i got my emt license this april and was hoping to find any patient care tech type jobs that you mentioned in your post. however, i must have applied to 100 of those in the boston area, but did not hear from any one of them. with the many nursing schools around the city, one would think that you would need to have a personal connection to get any of those jobs. i eventually got a job as a clinical research assistant at a research institute, but i am still flirting with the idea of getting a clinical care tech type job on a part time basis. can you please give me some tips regarding getting a job like yours? thanks.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

My suggestion is to apply then call human resources..you have to pretty much harass them!! You also want to make sure your cover letter stands out..you want to tell them why they should pick you over everyone else! Your committed, enthusiastic, well organized, motivated, willing to learn, ect. You want it so you stand out and look different from the other 100 people that applied to the position. Good Luck!!

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I think getting a Patient Care Assistant job in a Boston hospital is a combination of timing, (if you happen to apply when there are openings) luck and connections. A couple of friends in my nursing program sent in resumes to major hospitals, got interviews, and had jobs w/in a month. Others didn't.

In my experience it is much easier to get an assistant type of job at a home health care agency, although the hourly rate is somewhat lower.

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Specializes in ortho/ ortho oncology, oral surge.

i dont think getting you CNA is necessary if your a nursing student, i would start applying for aid jobs in boston there called PCA's (at MGH) if you have one clinical under your belt it will help. getting an aid job while in school with also help with possibly getting hired on to your floor once you grad. good luck

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If you're a nursing student who has completed her first semester of clinicals, you qualify to take the state CNA exam that's given thru the american red cross. You won't have to take an additional class or pay the additional $900 or so for the class. You just need to have 75 hours of clinical experience. I know that lots of hospitals hire nursing students who don't have a CNA license but I've been told at interviews that those who do are the ones who get picked first. Good Luck!

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I worked as a CNA (not certified) in my last semester of nursing school--I did an ABSN program. Smartest thing I ever did! The second I passed the NCLEX, I was transferred to their private duty nursing side, and I have worked at least 20 hours a week while job hunting. I just landed a case management hospice job because of this experience which is exactly what I wanted. I love home care and I learned it because of my cna experience. Good luck! Being a cna in home care shows you have the ability to be self directed and most importantly, trusted, and this will be great for your resume.

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If you're a nursing student who has completed her first semester of clinicals, you qualify to take the state CNA exam that's given thru the american red cross. You won't have to take an additional class or pay the additional $900 or so for the class. You just need to have 75 hours of clinical experience. I know that lots of hospitals hire nursing students who don't have a CNA license but I've been told at interviews that those who do are the ones who get picked first. Good Luck!

Hey watersamy,

I know this is an old post, but I just came across it. I just finished my first semester of clinical rotations and was wondering where I could get information on taking the CNA exam? Any info. would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

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