Nursing student with 0 experience

[al-sheikhh]

Hello!

I am stuck, I have a good flexible tutoring job that is getting me what I need while in school! The hours work perfectly with my crazy nursing school schedule. Many people are telling me I must become a CNA to gain some sort of experience and get my foot in the door and I don't think that is wrong but.... I honestly don't want to work as a CNA only because idk if i can handle that job with school. Is becoming a CNA a truly important and helpful experience for a nursing student? Opinions?

[direw0lf, BSN]

I don't know if someone said this already but it probably was, but it really depends on where you live! I must be lucky, because new grads are hired fast that I hear about, no experience necessary. Depending on who the people are that are telling you this, I'd either heed their advice or not though. If it's your teachers, then yes. If it's random people then eh maybe not. Ask your teachers and why not ask nurses in the hospital you do clinical in to share how long they waited to be hired, how long they've worked, and did they have prior experience. Maybe not all nurses like students asking them questions. I tried to always ask respectfully and of course not while they were busy, you can also ask to talk to the floor manager for a moment.

[direw0lf, BSN]

I had an idea! You can volunteer in a hospital, so you can keep your tutor job plus gain experience and confidence. As a nursing student who completed a first clinical semester, you can volunteer taking vitals, making beds, and other tasks under an aid.