My first job will be as an RN

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Hey everyone,

I'm 20 years old and about to start nursing school in the fall. My parents have been supporting me for my first two years of college and will throughout nursing school. I'm blessed to not have to get a job to pay for my living expenses/tuition but I'm wondering what will happen when I apply for jobs as an RN. I have medical experience from volunteering at a hospital a lot in high school and doing two internships/job shadows with doctors but I have no real job experience. Will future employers look down on me for this? I feel so clueless when it comes to having a job.

I can't presume to know your situation, but take a job anywhere while you are applying for nursing jobs. It will show that you are responsible and that regular jobs are not beneath you.

Had to jump in here. I know you mean well, but for me, and I'm sure the OP as well, not working has nothing to do with jobs being "beneath" me.

School, really, is my job. I've been in school full-time since I was three. I work hard to get As, and I've earned academic scholarships because of it. I have summers off, yes, but during that time I usually study subjects that interest me, babysit, and help family out.

No, I don't do anything as strenuous or inspiring as those of you who have families, work full time, and go to school. My life is, naturally, different from anyone else's. I have plenty of reasons for not working part time; I don't think I need to share them here. I will say that none of them involve me thinking I'm too good for or too above the jobs that are available.

Responsibility and dedication is developed before someone ever starts a job. Unfortunately, employers only have resumes to look at.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

I've been in school full time non-stop since graduating high school in 2010. I had to work. My mom is a RN too. She lovingly provided support to me when I needed. Given me cash when I fell short, all of my family has. They've been soooo supportive.

But I still worked while trying to get in nursing school (Fulltime), part time hours my first 2 semesters and PRN and all holidays during my last 3 semesters of a nursing school.

I can say that it honestly was perfect for me, I was able to show that i have good work ethic and job dedication, stayed with that jib 2.5 years as a hospital CNA in the float pool. It have me an amazing chance to become a much better patient and team communicator.

I understand why the OP is thankful, if I had the option to not have to work and my family could've afforded to TOTALLY support me, in sure I would have loved it, but that wasn't the case. However, because I had to work, it strengthened my personal drive to complete nursing school and become independent. It deepened my appreciation for what I was doing, let me know, for sure, I was doing this be uses of me.

While getting my prereqs i worked Fulltime and bought and paid off a cheap 2002 toyota corolla by myself in less than a year. I went to school EVERY summer, took classes online etc.....

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The upside of working as a CNA is that a lot of employers will count that toward nursing experience. For example, one nearby hospital counts each year of CNA experience as 6 months of RN experience. Say that you have two years of CNA experience. This means that when you apply, you will be viewed as an RN with a year of experience and not solely as a "new grad." It gives you the opportunity to make a higher wage than new grads might.

This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. CNA experience counting as RN experience? A RN with no CNA experience and a RN with 10yrs experience as a CNA, still have to through the same amount of training. I would be upset if I found out the RN next to me got paid more because she was an CNA before. The local hospitals around me don't count CNA experience as RN experience. I think the advantage of being a CNA first is it teaches you bed side manner.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. CNA experience counting as RN experience? A RN with no CNA experience and a RN with 10yrs experience as a CNA, still have to through the same amount of training. I would be upset if I found out the RN next to me got paid more because she was an CNA before. The local hospitals around me don't count CNA experience as RN experience. I think the advantage of being a CNA first is it teaches you bed side manner.

I have to disagree with this. I don't find it ridiculous at all. The person with the prior CNA experience would probably be preferred because they have this experience in the health field already versus a new grad with no experience in the health field at all. Most jobs want prior experience in at least a health field related job. I agree with all of the other posters who suggested becoming certified as a CNA while in nursing school. I will be doing this as well. It is very competitive out there.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. CNA experience counting as RN experience? A RN with no CNA experience and a RN with 10yrs experience as a CNA, still have to through the same amount of training. I would be upset if I found out the RN next to me got paid more because she was an CNA before. The local hospitals around me don't count CNA experience as RN experience. I think the advantage of being a CNA first is it teaches you bed side manner.

While my hospital didn't count an x amount of years of CNA experience as nursing experience. I did get offered a little more initial pay (not a whole lot by any means) because I worked 2.5 years in the hospital as a CNA and had that rcperience. Similar situations occurred with a few other classmates as well who had substantial CNA/healthcare or military medic experience. I know all places don't do that though.

I know that our hospital use to give 1 year if RN experience for 2 years of LPN experience. Idk if they still do that though.

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I put in applications back in November of my first semester of clinicals - 5 months later I got a call because I was done with fundamentals and got hired...you may have to wait till after your first semester of clinicals

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Specializes in floating.

If it was me against another new grad, yes we may have to go through the same amount of training, but I have more skills from my prior experience than that new grad with no experience. Trachs...been there. Vents...dealt with it. Geri psych? Done it. I've worked every possible aspect of CNA work from LTC to spinal cord injury, and been on every floor of a hospital imaginable (mom baby, labor deliver, ER, ICU, tele, medical, neuro, ortho, etc) in the course of my CNA career. I've participated in sterile procedures as a CNA and an MA. I've coded people right alongside nurses in ER, tele, medical, and ICU. I have skills that a lot of RNs don't have simply because I have that experience. It counts, as it should. The experience has also taught me what to look for when my patients are starting to make that small turn for the worst and THAT has saved a life in more than one instance.

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I have to disagree with this. I don't find it ridiculous at all. The person with the prior CNA experience would probably be preferred because they have this experience in the health field already versus a new grad with no experience in the health field at all. Most jobs want prior experience in at least a health field related job. I agree with all of the other posters who suggested becoming certified as a CNA while in nursing school. I will be doing this as well. It is very competitive out there.

I know most place would prefer to hire a RN with CNA experience over someone without. I don't think it should count towards your pay.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
If it was me against another new grad yes we may have to go through the same amount of training, but I have more skills from my prior experience than that new grad with no experience. Trachs...been there. Vents...dealt with it. Geri psych? Done it. I've worked every possible aspect of CNA work from LTC to spinal cord injury, and been on every floor of a hospital imaginable (mom baby, labor deliver, ER, ICU, tele, medical, neuro, ortho, etc) in the course of my CNA career. I've participated in sterile procedures as a CNA and an MA. I've coded people right alongside nurses in ER, tele, medical, and ICU. I have skills that a lot of RNs don't have simply because I have that experience. It counts, as it should. The experience has also taught me what to look for when my patients are starting to make that small turn for the worst and THAT has saved a life in more than one instance.[/quote']

So you were doing nursing skill sets as a CNA. Is that legal? Our CNAs assisted us but I never had a CNA evaluating my patients. Experience as a CNA is great and may be a good tie breaker but a good interview will be the difference.

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