Looking for advice on starting my nursing career.

[Kmo97, BSN, RN]

Hello all!

I am currently a pre-nursing student finishing up a Bachelors degree in Community Health (this degree qualifies me to earn a health education specialist certification). Last week I was officially accepted to my dream accelerated BSN program! I will graduate with my Community Health degree in May and start my BSN in late August.

I have three years of experience as a personal care provider (2 years with a quadriplegic woman, and one year with a boy with Dravet syndrome). Additionally, I will be working as a lifeguard this summer, but that's more patron surveillance than it is providing aid.

I would love to gain some clinical experience before/during my BSN program. I regret not becoming a CNA or a Patient Care Tech while I was in school for my Community Health degree, but it is what it is. I have some health care experience, and I've talked to many individuals in the nursing profession, but I know there's a lot I don't know or understand yet. I've considered volunteering, shadowing, finding a relevant job...but I'm not sure what the best option would be right now. So here are my questions to you:

What experience did you have before landing your first nursing job (including previous jobs and education)?

Are there any jobs or experiences you suggest I pursue this summer or while I'm in school getting my BSN?

Any and all advice is welcomed!

Thank you!

[River&MountainRN, ADN, RN]

Depending on where you are, CNA programs can be free-thousands of dollars and short-long. If you're not going to use the degree you're immediately graduating with to secure employment, the CNA pathway might be worth looking into for income/work experience/hands on experience in a healthcare setting (more to make network connections than anything, since you already have hands-on personal care experience).