New grads & CNA experience

[lalopop86]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I am a nursing student who will be graduating in 2013 and I've been a CNA on a telemetry floor for over a year now. My professors are encouraging those who aren't working as a CNA to do so in order to "get a foot in the door" for after graduation. I'm just curious to hear from new grads whether or not they think that CNA experience helped them at all in the search for that first job. Thanks.

[AshleyO77]

I was a CNA in a hospital all through nursing school. I currently have a job, but not where I was a nursing assistant. Do I think it helped me land my current job? Kinda. When I had my interview with the DON of my facility, she was certainly impressed that I had worked through nursing school. When I was calling other hospital though, they told me my nursing assistant experience didn't count for anything. BUT I have to say, I'm so happy I was a nursing assistant because I was already used to working with all types of patients and medical equipment. Also, it helps you sympathize with your CNA, which I think is important. So I think it won't always help you get a job, but once you get a job, you will be happy you were a CNA.

[baloney247]

Well, I worked full time as a CNA all through nursing school. I had no choice.

I had to keep my health insurance. I nearly died but I'm about to make it. No luck finding an RN position, not even at my own hospital.

Nobody wants an ADN nurse anywhere. I've tried. My state will let me keep working as a CNA. How nice after all the pain and suffering I've endured so far.

[kaseyrachele]

A huge handful of the nurses on my floor started out as techs on my floor. Even if you don't want to stay on the floor you are on now, applying internally for a position will be easier for you now. And even if you don't want that, you understand how the hospital works. If the choice was was between two new grads, one with CNA experience and one with no healthcare experience, who has a better chance of getting hired?

[chris21sn, BSN, RN]

Personally, I didn't work as an cna or in any medical background (for that matter) before landing my job. It didn't take long either after passing my nclex - I got an ICU job about 2 months after passing my nclex. :)