Nursing student with 0 experience

Evening_Primrose, ADN, RN · May 21, 2016

My program required that we take a CNA class and become state tested, but we don't have to actually BE a CNA. I don't have any professional experience (I took care of both of my grandparents - one w/Alzheimer's and bedbound) and at orientation my nursing advisor told me that was fine. She said that sometimes their best students were full of experience and sometimes they had none. She said that some people with experience have already developed "bad habits" they need broken so in that way I'm fine.

Two of my good friends graduated 2 years ago from different nursing programs. Neither had previous experience and (like you) they stayed with their non-medical job all through nursing school because it worked with their schedule. Neither one of them have had trouble finding work.

I don't start my program until August so take that for what it's worth - anecdotal data. Others may come with anecdotal data saying the opposite. I'm not sure there's a "right" answer.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 21, 2016

No, you don't have to have CNA experience. Don't ever listen to what people are "saying". Unless it comes from an HR director at a hospital, it's nothing more than rumors or somebody else's expertise, who is usually a person who has no expertise.

AspiringNurseMW · May 21, 2016

No. I would say that about 25-50% of my class had cna or home health aide experience when starting. The rest did not. About 75% through the 1st semester you would never be able to tell. We are all pretty much even. It gives them a small but short advantage in clinicals only.

doctorwhofan · May 21, 2016

It's been a while since I did nursing school (17 years - eek!) but I worked retail the entire time. I had been at the store several years and the manager was very accommodating with my crazy clinical and nursing school schedule. My first year as a nurse I wished I'd had more "hands on" with patients, however my customer service experience was a lifesaver in many situations.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · May 21, 2016

In my area it's crucial to have your foot in the door. New grad hiring is extremely competitive here and hospitals look at the pool of nursing students they already have, not outside. I would say at least half of my classmates have jobs in these hospitals. This isn't to say that the ones who don't work in hospitals won't get job, but it might take them much longer and they most likely can't get into the kind of job they want. However, my school has a senior preceptorship and I imagine some students might shine in it and get hired after.

As for the experience, it's good learning experience and you see and hear what nurses do on the floor. But after a while the learning will level off because you're still not working at the RN level.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 21, 2016

"Many people are telling me"??? What people? Unless for some reason your school requires you to be a CNA then there is no need. I was never a CNA and had a job lined up before I graduated.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · May 21, 2016

It's been even more of awhile for me, 40 years. Back then there were no CNAs, just "nurse's aides".

I had no experience when I entered my program. It wasn't required.

I had MedSurg I in the Spring, and MedSurg II the following Fall. That Summer, I worked as an aide on a busy MedSurg unit.

When I got back to school, I had the same instructor for II that I had for I. During our first clinical, she pulled me aside and said "You worked during the Summer, didn't you?"

Apparently the increase in my confidence level was noticeable, and appreciated.

So, yes, I would say working as a CNA could be helpful, but not at the expense of your nursing studies.

Erythropoiesis · May 21, 2016

I've asked about this issue to two RN friends of mine. One is BSN and the other a FNP. They both said the same thing. "You work whatever job that is going to carry you through school"

I work with children right now while I'm in school. I know I make more money than a CNA would at a nursing home. What's the point of taking a pay cut for experience that I don't even need? A good point was made above by a poster who said that people with prior experience often carry bad habits and then the nursing instructors have to do damage control. Keep doing what you're doing unless you just really want to be a CNA. Then go for it.

fcp4life · May 21, 2016

I think everyone going into nursing should be a PCT / CNA get that direct patient care out of the way, because if you enjoy it then you would enjoy nursing. I know someone that's going into the nursing program and they inquired about a job at the hospital I work at, (I work at an inpatient rehab hospital as a tech) she then proceeds to tell me that she "doesn't wanna wipe butt" It's like well then... Just last night I had 15 patients it was nonstop busy from 5pm - 8am when i left that's right 15 hours, I also had to skip my lunch break to chart and finish other tasks, but even the RNs were doing the same care that us techs were doing, and that's how it should be we are all there for the patient, patient care is always first.

Guttercat, ASN, RN · May 21, 2016

Working as a CNA in a hospital environment will give you great advantages not while in the nursing program, but after..when you hit the real world of hospital culture, which is vastly different than the sheltered environment of college and clinical rotations.

It would be like studying and learning the French language and French culture before you actually go to France.

Being a hospital CNA means very little while in nursing school, but it can mean the difference between success and failure in your first job out of nursing school.

You decide.

barcode120x, RN, NP · May 22, 2016

As many of the other posters here are saying, no, you don't need to be a CNA or have CNA experience to be successful in nursing school. In my program of 60 students, I would say less than 10 were or had CNA experience. I'd say about half the class had 0 hospital or medical experience, while the rest had other medical or hospital related jobs (medical assistants, techs, etc).

The important thing is getting your foot in the door whether it's getting a job in the hospital even if it's not nursing related or at least volunteering. Both will help you with getting a job and provide some experience and insight on what nursing in action

However, being a CNA/working can better yourself as a nursing student will help you grow and become a better nursing student/nurse. One of the CNA's I work with is wonderful at this. She is an amazing CNA and does her job at 200% and is always willing to see new things and learn, even if she can only observe.