In Rn school but need a job to get experience

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I am just starting school, taking pre req's first for ADN. But in the meantime I need a job!! I've been a stay home mom. I've only worked in retail and restaurants. So it's tempting to work at a restaurant for income. Would it be better if I slow down on RN classes and become a Medical assistant or a CNA?

I know both those take time and money to earn but would it give me experience? I'm nervous about going for RN without ANY medical experience.

Any advice??

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Women's Health, Education.

Hi Mom of 3,

You don't necessarily need any experience to get a job when you graduate. But of the two I recommend the CNA role because that experience will help you be a better nursing student, especially during your clinical classes. It will also get you in the door of a hospital and if you do a good job they will likely hire you as an RN when the time comes. You'll also learn about what you like or don't like about nursing.

Good luck and keep us posted!

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Thanks for your reply!

I don't really understand the difference between CNA and MA roles. I tend to think CNAs do heavy lifting etc. and MA takes vitals, records patient info. But what you said about getting a job later as an rn would be good.

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CNA leads to the licensed nurse role. In some nursing schools it is required to have a CNA certificate and perhaps even an employment history as a CNA. If not required, it at least helps in the admissions process. The MA role is limited. Medical practices generally hire MAs in order to avoid paying the wages that licensed nurses receive. There is no advancement to a more advanced role, such as LPN, RN, etc.

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Very helpful, thank you!

sounds like CNA may be the way to go. I live in Iowa and I don't think it's required but sounds like it would be beneficial to go that route and take RN classes at the same time.

Now another thought- at my last doctor visit the MA there who took my vitals said she's a single mom, loves her job because of the benefits and no nights or weekends. Can you make a living wage as a MA? I'm almost divorced so I need a good job but I also worry about the stress level of being a nurse who has a lot of responsibility. I want to help others and work in the medical field. MA seems to be enjoyable, meeting patients, taking vitals etc, I worry as a nurse I'll make a costly mistake. ( I'm sure all new nurses feel this way, but it's life or death in some cases)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I think that skills developed in your prior jobs will definitely relate to nursing. "Customer Service" is a definite priority for health care companies today. In many settings, bedside nursing & waitressing have a lot in common - unattractive uniforms, lots of fetching and carrying, need for multitasking & attention to detail, very little time to sit down . . . You're not as far behind as you think you are :D

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Very helpful, thank you!

sounds like CNA may be the way to go. I live in Iowa and I don't think it's required but sounds like it would be beneficial to go that route and take RN classes at the same time.

Now another thought- at my last doctor visit the MA there who took my vitals said she's a single mom, loves her job because of the benefits and no nights or weekends. Can you make a living wage as a MA? I'm almost divorced so I need a good job but I also worry about the stress level of being a nurse who has a lot of responsibility. I want to help others and work in the medical field. MA seems to be enjoyable, meeting patients, taking vitals etc, I worry as a nurse I'll make a costly mistake. ( I'm sure all new nurses feel this way, but it's life or death in some cases)

MA is a dead-end sort of job, where as nursing is something that can be built on over time. If you don't want further education and responsibility, MA may be a good option for you. I'm under the impression that the pay is not "great" for CNAs or MAs, but I have no knowledge of your specific needs or the employment market in your area.

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Check the employment situation for MA vs that for CNA in your area on the major employment websites. Anecdotally, I have never seen a job listing for MA that did not mention a requirement for experience. And that was for the few and far between job listings that existed. As for CNA, you can walk into any long term care facility or home health agency and usually get hired on the spot. It takes a little more effort to get hired at an acute care facility. General rules of thumb.

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Specializes in GENERAL.

OP,

Look at it this way, if you don't need experience in nursing to diagnose and treat illness as a nurse practitioner why would you think you would need experience in nursing to become a nurse?

Just take a moment and think about it.

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