Is it helpful to work as a CNA while in nursing school?

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I am currently a full time nursing student working towards by BSN. I have had a job at a veterinary clinic for the past 5 years. My first passion was in veterinary work but I decided nursing could be just as rewarding and posed better job opportunities. My CNA certification is about to expire so I decided to apply for a CNA job. Also my job at the vet is on a fixed schedule which won't work with school because I am starting clinical next semester. I am very sad to be leaving my vet job but I feel a CNA job will make me more comfortable in clinical, help me with course work and perhaps give me more job opportunities when I graduate nursing school. The hours are 3-11 Saturday and Sunday every other weekend. I hope I can handle it with school. I hope I am making the right decision and I want to know what everyone else thinks about working as CNA while in nursing school. What are the pros and cons?

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Specializes in Public Health.

IMHO, there are no cons. I have been a CNA for almost 5 years and because of this, I have the opportunity to work in my hospital once I pass NCLEX later this month. The hours are flexible as far as having four days off every week and still being fulltime and I get to pick the nurses brains whenever something happens that I don't understand.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I think it's a great idea. You'll nail those basic skills, which will only help you in nursing school, so you can focus on the more complicated stuff. It'll help you gain comfort around patients, you'll get more familiarity with what nurses really do all day, you'll make connections that will help you when you are looking for a nursing job... The list goes on and on.

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It is a great opportunity. I think you will be glad that you did it. You will nail all of the basic skills--transfers, bed baths, vitals, etc. While other students are focusing on learning the basics you will be able to study the other skills. I think working with patients as a CNA will prepare you for working with patients during your clinicals. You won't be as nervous helping them because you are confident in those basic skills. Also, working under nurses is amazing. I ask my nurses questions all the time--so they will be a great resource for you! Also, the care facilities I have worked at are very flexible with hours which is great for school. Plus, if you work there as a CNA you may be able to move up to a nurse once you graduate. Then you can get some experience and not worry about being inexperienced!

I think this is what every nursing student should do, if they can. It will be totally worth it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/does-cna-job-894754.html

This is a thread that was made a couple of days ago on this very topic.

Being a CNA has helped me during school.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Having CNA experience while in nursing school was helpful. However, I didn't work much while actually in nursing school. I was a CNA for almost a year before I started nursing school. The first term of nursing school, I worked some weekends and holidays. However I didn't really work at all for the duration of my nursing program. Yet, the experience did benefit me. I looked at work in a whole new light once I was in nursing school. Different things stood out to me and made more sense.

Being able to add 2 years of healthcare experience to my resume probably made my nursing resume look better, once I graduated, as well.

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Thank you everyone for your input. I was choking up and trying to hold back tears handing in my two weeks notice at the vet today. But after reading your comments i feel much better about my decision. I started training today at the new job. Pretty overwhelming.

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