How do I become a nurse's aide?

[cherylnj81]

Well I just applied to nursing schools for next fall but in the mean time I am broke and also do not know if I will be put on a waitlist for next fall anyway.

I read about hospitals helping with education and stuff if you are on their payroll.

Well I figure being a nurse's aide would help me decide if I 100% want to be a nurse anyway (I am in a bit of career exploration mode).

So what is the actual term for nurse's aid? And how long is school if you already have a bachelor's degree? Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks and Happy Holidays!

[pdpeanut]

Pdpeanut, thanks for sharing your experience. I am a pre-nursing student and I want to gain experience right now as a CNA. Do hospitals hire CNA without prior hospital experience? I'm afraid if I take the course, no one would hire me.

I know around my area, hospitals are always looking for CNAs. You shouldn't have any problem finding work. And, I think that taking the course would be nothing but a benefit to you. The experience that you'll gain through the course and your clinicals will be invaluable to you, and will make you a better RN, in my opinion. Even if you have trouble finding employment at a hospital initially, you would definitely be able to find work at a long term care facility/nursing home, where you would learn the basics of patient care, which you will use EVERY DAY at the hospital. Let me know if you have any more questions!