nursing student and CNA job?

[ndg37]

I'm about to start nursing school in May and just received my CNA license. I wanted to hear from those of you who are nursing students and work a job as a CNA. How do you handle it? Is it possible?

Definitely do want to work during nursing school and i think this is the prefect opportunity to get my foot in the door for the future.

[WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN]

I attempted to work full time nights at a nursing home at the beginning of nursing school and I failed miserably. I cut down to PRN and then just quit the nursing home all together. I went back to home health and eventually got hired at a hospital where I work 1 day a week on the weekends. I know other students who work full time at the hospital for 3 days a week and go to school full time as well and I honestly don't know how they do it. Yes, I think it is beneficial to work as a CNA before getting into a nursing program considering that most of the work at clinicals is CNA work. Work as a CNA will also give you a greater appreciation for your CNA's when you become a nurse. I feel that most nurses don't really understand all that a CNA does if they haven't previously been a CNA.

Good luck to you! Try to get a CNA job in a hospital. They usually give more responsibility to CNA's in the hospital. Before I worked at the hospital I barely knew how to do accuchecks, and I've since learned how to D/C IV's and foleys.

[boogalina, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN]

DCMom - I had my certification and 5 months nursing home CNA experience before being hired by the hospital.

[Dcmom]

DCMom - I had my certification and 5 months nursing home CNA experience before being hired by the hospital.

thank you for responding, appreciate it. :)

[Mr.FutureDNP23]

If you can get PRN position at a hospital, on med surg, I'd say do it. You will deff have a head start on your fellow peers during clinicals. Don't do full-time because that would be overkill.