Nursing Student (R.N. Program) but Interested in being a CNA for a Summer Job

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

  1. How should I occupy my time during the final Summer of NOT being a Registered Nurse

    • 2
      Become a C.N.A & work as a C.N.A.
    • 1
      Become a P.C.A. & work as a P.C.A.
    • 0
      Work in an unrelated field
    • 0
      Relax
    • 0
      Visit R.N. to B.S.N. Programs (***I'm staying in school to pursue a B.S.N. after I graduate)

3 members have participated

Hello everyone. I am a 28 year old male nursing student at Capital Community College in Hartford, CT. I'm going to graduate next May (2013). I currently live at home & do NOT work but I would like to work during the Summer time in order to save money.

I was considering becoming a CNA. I understand that I can't just take the exam & that you need to be present for x amount of classroom & clinical hours. Is a PCA the same thing? How do you become a PCA? Which one is better?

I am sure that I would breeze through a CNA course. Should I just stick it out & attend the classes / clinicals???

Does anybody have any advice or has encountered a similar circumstance???

Check with your school. At my school, you are eligible for the CNA exam after completing the first half of labs (After 2 months, basically). Its always a good idea to work in your field while going to school. Now is also the time to start looking for places to work after college...it would be a great idea to have your foot in the door at a hospital! Many employers also do tuition reimbursement, so take that into consideration.

Also, I think a PCA would be more limited to what they can do for a patient...I don't believe a license is required for these positions, but I could be wrong.

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I know some people become patient care techs and they make around 10 an hour. I am not sure if you have to go through anything/test because I have never looked into it but my mom offered to hire me as a PCT on her staff while staying at home during the summer last year which I didn't do only because I needed to take a class and focus. She never mentioned any exam other than being CPR cert. Or you might just want to take a break and relax because as soon as you get hired you will only be able to dream of the days that you used to be able to take the summer off....IMO....but I know about the money thing..I am in a bind myself for the upcoming fall!

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Oh--BTW...I would wait on the BSN just to see if a hospital will pay for it once you get hired..or if money is not an issue then go ahead and get it done...once you are not a student for some years it is super hard to get back into it!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics/home health care.

First off, congrats on your progress in nursing school! secondly,CNAs and PCAs are very similar, so it's easy to confuse them. CNAs can be hired as PCA and visa-versa BUT you can can get PCA certification that is different from CNA certification. They are basically the same thing except they probably work in different settings(doing similar tasks). You will usually see PCAs more in hospitals and CNAs more in nursing homes, although even some nursing homes call CNAs PCAs. It's harder to get hired as a PCA than it is to get hired as a CNA. Most hospitals want previous experience in a CNA/PCA before they will hire them. It's an awesome idea to work as a CNA before starting up nursing classes again because it's experience that will look good on a resume and help you find a job when you gradute. With CNA experience, you will be favored over those with no healthcare experience what-so-ever. Good luck with your plans and don't overwork yourself!:w00t:

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Sometimes hospitals hire nursing students, have You tried that avenue yet? If that's not possible I would definitely become a CNA, it will give you a very good perspective on the people beneath you after you become an RN. Often the best RN has moved up the ranks and appreciates the CNA that works with them!

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Hi!

I'm currently in nursing school as well, but in California. After I finished fundamentals I was able to get a job as a "Clinical Associate" which is basically just a cna but with a little more variety. I work in a children's hospital and LOVE my job.

They required a cna, emt, or completon of fundamentals and 1 year acute pediatric experience, which I did not have, but interviewed really well and got the job anyways.

I'm in so cal and making $16/hour with no certification. Student nurses, go for it!!!!

get your foot in a door, get amazing experience, and get paid while you're at it

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Tele, PACU.

hey- it look like you can become a CNA without taking the training program... this is from the Connecticut Department of Public Health

"A student enrolled in a LPN or RN program may request to challenge the test by providing original transcripts of their education verifying they have completed the basic nursing fundamentals and skills that are covered in a nurse aide training program."

So maybe you can just take the exam.

good luck in school!

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I am also from CT and after my first semester of nursing school I took my CNA test, you are eligible to take it as long as you have passed your first semester.

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The cost of the CNA course will wipe out a portion of what you would make. I think it varies by state whether or not you could simply test out for your CNA, in my state I think you have to take a CNA course in order to get your certification, regardless of what other medical training you have.

It would also be difficult finding a summer job, since most places arent going to want to go through the trouble and expense of hiring and orienting someone who isnt going to stick around, especially if they have no experience. It takes at least a couple months before most new CNAs are able to keep up with the work load without help, and by then you will be going back to school.

Being an RN student isnt going to matter much to most employers since your scope will be limited to what a CNA or PCA does, and most brand new RN students whove never been CNAs are horrible their first few clinicals when it comes to taking care of patients, I've seen 2 RN students their first clinical struggle to take care of ONE completely stable patient.

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How was Capital? I have been accepted to both BHSN and Capital and cannot decide.. I am having negative feelings toward Capital due to the degree of difficulty in communicating with them during the application process. They left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Thank you for any info. I wish you all the best in finding a job!

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