Is working as a CNA considered experience when looking for an RN job?

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

Hi,

I'm in the process of getting my CNA license in VA while I wait to hear back about whether i've been accepted to an RN ADN program (after the ADN I planned to do the BSN at a local University). I decided to do the CNA because I want to get additional experience, need a part time job, and like the idea of working as a CNA while in nursing school as I hope it will further augment my training as an RN.

Do you think once I graduate as an RN that having worked as a CNA will make it easier for me to find a job? I see a lot of new grads on the boards discussing how difficult it can be sometimes to get a job fresh out of school and was wondering if working as a CNA is considered experience for an RN? Has anyone else gone this route? Any advice or observations would be helpful! :)

thanks!

Kris

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I'm doing the same thing. Actually just took and passed NACES on Sunday! :yeah:Had an interview this morning at hospital and was told that they love hiring cna that are furthering their education. I start the ADN program this Fall. They said they would work with my class schedule and help in whatever ways they could. I think it will be wonderful experience. IMHO

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Working as a CNA through nursing school is a great idea! It will help you get your foot in the door and build professional relationships within your unit/hospital, and it will help you be more confident in clinicals. That said, CNA experience is not considered experience when referring to the 'one year experience required' clause found on most RN job postings. Only experience as an RN counts as RN experience.

Working as a CNA will definitely help you move your career in the right direction! Welcome to nursing!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

It does help you in regards to salary. At some hospitals they take into account your years of experience when it comes to the salary being offered. One hospital in GA - four years of being a tech equals one year of nursing.

Working as a CNA through nursing school is a great idea! It will help you get your foot in the door and build professional relationships within your unit/hospital, and it will help you be more confident in clinicals. That said, CNA experience is not considered experience when referring to the 'one year experience required' clause found on most RN job postings. Only experience as an RN counts as RN experience.

Working as a CNA will definitely help you move your career in the right direction! Welcome to nursing!

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Specializes in CVICU, anesthesia.

I am a new grad applying for RN positions, and one of the hospitals I have applied to is a very prominent, nationally-known teaching hospital. I am interested in critical care, and they are only hiring internal applicants OR new grads with previous patient care experience for their ICUs. Luckily I worked as a nursing assistant through school, so I'm eligible :)

Besides making me eligible for the job I want, working as a nursing assistant has DEFINITELY given me TONS of valuable experience. My advice to you would be to try and work in a hospital you think you will be interested in working in as an RN, and on a floor you have an interest in. I worked on a surgical ENT floor, and really had no interest in it. While I did gain lots of good experience, I wish I had worked in an ICU where I could get more comfortable with the patients and situations I want to work with as an RN. It also really helps to be an internal applicant come time to apply for new-grad RN jobs!

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.

I don't think it will count as RN experience b/c you're not working as an RN, but i'm sure it will help with a starting salary once you get out of school. CNA/PCT exp. should be taken into consideration you get some good skills and already you have a foot in the door at the place you work.

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it's considered health care experience, but not nursing experience, big difference. however, many newbie rn's don't have any paid health care experience, so it will still help u to have health care exp.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

exactly as others have said, your're not in an RN role... where you do assessments, meds, evaluate.. adjust the plan of care.

but you are still providing care at a basic entry level, you are using you knowledge to teach and affect pt. change, and you're learning how to monitor to see if there is a change in baseline status.

It would never be held against you, and can only help in a tough job market... make good use of your CNA time, collaborate with the nurses. Even if you have that illusive "down time" ask the nurse if you can listen to heart and lung sounds with them and learn what your hearing. There is so much to learn as a CNA if you seek out the opportunity. It's not just accucheck, water pictures and pottying... use this experience wisely and you'll succeed.:D Don't know if it will help with a job acceptance, but it can help you to be a nurse.

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Specializes in Pedi Rehab,Pediatrics, PICU.

I think its a wonderful idea. I worked as a PCT of sorts while in nursing school. It really helped me to refine some of the skills I was learning in school and put it all together. I agree with everyone that it doesn't count as RN experience, but I too have heard of some hospitals attributing every 4 yrs of CNA exp to 1 yr of RN exp. But besides that, it can help with getting a job, especially when it's within your facility. CNA exp counts for overall healthcare exposure/experience which can be marketable. Two things will give you a more successful job search in the future: 1) Work at a hospital you'll want to work at as an RN, on a unit you wouldn't mind starting out on as an RN, 2) Make sure the hospital you're going to be a CNA at will allow you to work with an ADN as a new grad.

Good Luck!! I wish you much success :)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Healthcare experience, yes. RN experience, no.

Most facilities here won't do the X years as CNA = 1 year RN as alizae06 mentioned because honestly, it's really not the same thing. That being said, working as a CNA does offer valuable healthcare experience for the resume, lets you see what nursing is really like by working up close and personal with them, and can give you opportunities to network or possibly (not always--it's no guarantee) get a job as an RN there.

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Specializes in Acute rehab, LTC, Community Health.

I completely agree with ZooKeeper3, when I was thinking about applying for nursing school, I was working as a CNA. I voiced to the nurses that I was interested in learning about what they do. A few nurses became mentors of mine and gave me every opportunity to come with them on wound rounds, treatments and everything else. It made a huge difference! Also, as mentioned before, it will help you be much more confident in clinical and in giving direct patient care. It was very obvious who had never worked in some sort of health care/customer service job before, because they really lacked confidence in their patient interactions!

I think it sounds like a great experience, and good luck to you!

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

Thanks for all the replies! I definitely want to work in the hospital and love the suggestion of trying to get an RN mentor. I'm extremely excited and think if nothing else, I will gain a greater comfort in working with patients and their families.

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