Is taking the CNA exam worth it for me?

[Chris20, BSN, RN]

Im about to be in my third year of a BSN program at UD, and today I heard back from the NJ dept of health in regards to taking the CNA exam. Unfortunately I only have two months left of summer to work and then I go back to Delaware.

I have no work/volunteer experience at all in the medical field which is why I have not gotten a callback from the twenty job applications to hospitals I sent out.

This fall I will have my first nurse preceptorship at a pediatrics hospital, which should be a great experience.

Now on to my question, is it worth it for me to take the CNA exam and possibly work for a month or two? Or should I just hold off and end up gaining experience this fall anyways? We have a very long winter break at UD (8 weeks) and I was planning on getting a position at a hospital for that time period, would the CNA certification help or would my 80 hour preceptorship be good enough?

btw this is my first post ever, Thanks!

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Wait... so you would just work for a month or two as a CNA and then quit when you begin your preceptorship?

[smoup]

Most places around here require a CNA license to work even if you have tons of clinical experience in school. If you want to work in NJ over winter break, I'd definitely get the CNA.

[Chris20, BSN, RN]

I mean I don't have to be working as a CNA, having the certification would just improve my chances of landing an entry job, at least in my opinion right?

[jhks9w]

CNA training was required for entry into my nursing program, but CNA licensure was not. I took licensure test anyway, thinking it was a slam dunk. Turns out I had a grumpy DON proctoring the thing, and I was failed although I earn A's in my classes which included clinicals and I did my routine correctly. Waste of $100 for me, so my 2¢ is that any employer that wants me to get a CNA first doesn't meet my standards. Your results or state may vary.