Not sure what temp job to take before nursing school

[mengwu3]

So I'm about to graduate with my B.S. in August, but I still need to take a year off to take/retake all the nursing pre-requisites. Due to financial reasons, I need to hold a full-time job while I take these online courses from a community college. I've just got an offer to be a Clinical Scientist at a research company. However, i don't think this will help me much with my career (but at least it's clinical!). My end goal is to become a Research RN, but as far as helping me land a nursing job post-nursing school, I do understand working as a CNA/PTC is preffered. However, it has been difficult getting my foot in through the door at a hospital. Should I pass this job and keep trying to apply for CNA/PTC jobs? Or will either job help me in the future as a nurse?

-I've been actively searching for the past 3 weeks.

- Yes, I do have my CNA license, just wish I could put it to good use!

Thanks in advance!

[WesternRN]

As a nursing student who works in both research and as a PCT, I can tell you that most hospitals could not care less if you have research experience. If I could do things over I would have tried to work as a CNA much earlier! I work in research because I love the cause, it's a change of pace, and keeps the door open to academia in case I decide to pursue that one day. However working in a real clinical job in a hospital will be way more helpful in getting that first RN job. Honestly I was surprised how little regard people gave that side of my resume when I was trying to get a CNA job, which around here are so competitive and hard to get.

When you say clinical research - what are the clinicals skills you would be practicing? I would tell any nursing student concerned about future positions to get into a hospital as a CNA.