Is CNA worth it for recent non-nursing grad who is now pursuing nursing?

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Hello Everyone. I am graduating this fall with a 4 year degree but I am also applying to an evening ADN program in Spring 2020 to join the nursing field. At the moment, however, I have years of only non-healthcare experience.

Lately, I have been finding some interest in the CNA program due to its duration and affordability and I was wondering if this path is something I should consider for the time being to develop nursing skills through working. Is there any other program that can be recommended to pursue while in the nursing program? Mainly, I want to improve my skill-set and also be able to somewhat support myself during nursing school.

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Don’t do a program for CNA in NY most hospitals will hire you as a “CNA” position without the Cert and train you. 
It will undoubtedly help you become a better nurse. Just being in the environment seeing how things work helped me tremendously when I got my first RN position. You can also mentally apply the nursing theory your learned from class. You see the meds hanging, you get report from the nurse, you see the patient and you can get a great real life clinical experience of what it is like dealing with this patients while not having the full RN responsibility right away. 
 

there are many hospitals what hire Nurse assistant/CNA as perdeim, I would suggest starting there as you can basically work “at will”. Basically most hospitals train their assistants to the same level as CNA (some more with covid swabbing and blood draws). 
Don’t work as a assistant at a nursing home or rehab completely different. 
the hospital I work in has 12 hour shifts and pays 20-23 an hour +4$ differential for new assistants  full time is 3 days a week.

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Thank you. This is very helpful. I currently work the weekends at the nursing home, but I will be looking for hospital opportunities.

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