I'm considering a career change to nursing and would ideally like to get experience in the field as a CNA (or PCA/PCT, etc) before committing to the expense, time and energy of a BSN or RN program (and the required pre-reqs). I've never worked in healthcare before so this field is entirely new to me. How many of you got hands-on experience in the field before deciding to become a nurse? How important/helpful/relevant was that experience towards your decision to become a nurse? For those of you who didn't get experience first, in retrospect would you have done anything differently?
Specializes in med-surg, teaching, cardiac, priv. duty.
I went to nursing school with absolutely NO health care experience of any type. I was also very young - only 18 years old. The combination of these two things did make nursing school extra tough for me. But I made it! And I was a RN at the age of 20. I had a really hard time adjusting to my first job. Long story. It was a real struggle for me. But I eventually adjusted to the real world of nursing...and that was 17 years ago now!
The combination of my lack of health care experience and my young age (lack of general life experience) made it extra hard for me. Looking back, I think it might have made my road much easier if I had worked as a nurse assistant or even volunteered at a hospital in some way before I went to nursing school. But I did make it regardless!
I was a CCU tech I did the simple i and o's, watched monitors, and answered lights. Also ran EKG's, and at that particular hospital they also had a mobile CCU and I rode as an asst. That job is why I wanted to be a nurse. I loved it
I did not have nursing experience, although I did volunteer as a Candystripper in high school. But, I was a dental assistant for about 15 years, and so learned some of the technical skills (like taking vitals) and basic patient interaction and documentation in that capacity. And, quite honestly being in my mid-thirties w/ general life experince and a decade and a half of parenting experience under my belt I think had lots of "hands-on" experience before nursing school - I just hadn't been paid for some of it.
Many schools in this area are moving toward requiring CNA credentials before being admitted to their nursing program. Although I agree w/ PP who commented that this would cut down on first semester "too icky" dropouts as well as giving the young and inexperienced a taste of the realities of the job, for me it would have added another year of requirements and time commitments that I was not particularly willing to spend. A "two year" nursing degree is already three years...
Then a psych tech in college (falls under nursing) and substance abuse counselor.
Went to college and on in psych, but lacked the discipline to complete grad school. =)
Fast forward many years....
Then I worked as either a CNA or a Medical Assistant for 3+ years during nursing school.
I think it is absolutely the best bet to at least experience being in the hospital or EMS field before deciding that nursing is for you. Not to discourage anyone but having gone into nursing school at 30, having worked in major corporations and in a variety of very different careers - nothing compares. Knowledge is power, right? And at least you can get an idea of the conditions before you are suddenly in it - swimming or sinking.
And yeah - the gross factor - but no one was born with an inbred capacity to handle vomit, blood, stool - whatever. But everyone does have mind over matter (no matter whose sticky, wet matter it is.) See if your mind is stronger than your sense of smell.
"not to mention the hospital i worked for as a cna helped pay for my nursing school and as i approached graduation i had 3 jobs to pick from!!!!! now that is priceless. "
this is what i am considering. there is a hospital near my home that offers a cna training program. you get paid while being trained and you get offered a job when the program is done, if one is available. so when it's all said and done, i'll have experience, a job (albeit a modestly-paid one), and a means of paying for nursing school (and hopefully the prereqs too!). ideally i'd be able to seamlessly transition to an rn job with the same employer once ns is done, assuming it's a good fit.
I was a PCT and EMT before being a nurse. I highly recommend it. I learned many skills that have helped with being a nurse. I became comfortable in the professional/pt relationship, and I feel it made the nurse/pt relationship come easier. Also, being in the medical field seems to be like being in some kind of club. All the stuff we vent/talk/post about here, would only make sence to others in the field. Its a unique career choice and its A LOT different from what people on the outside might think. I hate to see someone go through all that schooling just to find out they hate it. Having hands on before you are a nurse gives you a window into what nursing may actually be like. That could mean the difference between going through with becoming a nurse or changing your mind altogether.
I hate to see someone go through all that schooling just to find out they hate it.
I have seen so much of this. It is heartbreaking for the student and the prospective student who got bumped out of a slot in school. There can be a huge disconnect between being "that amazing nursing student" and success in the clinical world.
I've had so many calls from people in my church, relatives and friends for whom I'm the only RN they know. The conversation gos like this: "Susie loved nursing school...got a 4.0!.... but now hates working as a nurse and wants to quit. She just sobs every night. Why didn't you tell us how awful it is....".
It wasn't awful for me. I'd been a CNA for a zillion years. It wasn't a big culture shock.
Of course, nursing school is do-able if you've never even seen a bandaid. I just hate seeing people get dashed by their first real world exposure.
I was a nursing asst back in th 70-80's, no certification then. I know many schools now that you need to have the CNA before getting into nursing school to speed up there process of not having to teach that portion.
Specializes in Critical Care Float - ICU / ED / PACU.
Nursing was also a second career for me... I started out as a medical assistant - loved it, but it was mostly outpatient care, and I felt that I wanted to make more of a substantial difference in someones life, so I looked into nursing.... Now that I'm a nurse - I feel I made the best decision ever in my life..... I've found my calling - as they say. It's the hardest job you'll ever love..... (another saying.... but it is true!:heartbeat)
YES - I would suggest trying out the nurse assistant / PCA position.... I did this while in nursing school... you get a good look at what goes on in the hospitals - especially if you are working with a good group of nurses that will involve you and teach as they do their jobs...... And most importantly - you will gain much needed experience in the hands on patient care..... you learn the proper ways and nice little tricks of the trade when it comes to cleaning, turning and lifting of patients.....
Not to mention - I honestly think it makes you a better nurse in the end.
Specializes in Critical Care Float - ICU / ED / PACU.
i have seen so much of this. it is heartbreaking for the student and the prospective student who got bumped out of a slot in school. there can be a huge disconnect between being "that amazing nursing student" and success in the clinical world.
i've had so many calls from people in my church, relatives and friends for whom i'm the only rn they know. the conversation gos like this: "susie loved nursing school...got a 4.0!.... but now hates working as a nurse and wants to quit. she just sobs every night. why didn't you tell us how awful it is....".
it wasn't awful for me. i'd been a cna for a zillion years. it wasn't a big culture shock.
of course, nursing school is do-able if you've never even seen a bandaid. i just hate seeing people get dashed by their first real world exposure.
i have to agree with this..... it does take a special type of person to be a great nurse..... it's not about the money or respect - it's really about helping others and touching other peoples lives......and that does mean doing some tasks that are not easy (cleaning bodily fluids, horrifics sights and smells, etc) it can be the most thankless job in the world some days, and other days it can be amazing!
But, I was a dental assistant for about 15 years, and so learned some of the technical skills (like taking vitals) and basic patient interaction and documentation in that capacity. And, quite honestly being in my mid-thirties w/ general life experince and a decade and a half of parenting experience under my belt I think had lots of "hands-on" experience before nursing school - I just hadn't been paid for some of it. 
(female) 
ArwenEvenstar
308 Posts
I went to nursing school with absolutely NO health care experience of any type. I was also very young - only 18 years old. The combination of these two things did make nursing school extra tough for me. But I made it! And I was a RN at the age of 20. I had a really hard time adjusting to my first job. Long story. It was a real struggle for me. But I eventually adjusted to the real world of nursing...and that was 17 years ago now!
The combination of my lack of health care experience and my young age (lack of general life experience) made it extra hard for me. Looking back, I think it might have made my road much easier if I had worked as a nurse assistant or even volunteered at a hospital in some way before I went to nursing school. But I did make it regardless!