Nursing Student, working as CNA?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 1, 2005

In my neck of the woods and school yes it is very common. Most continue to work as CNA's until graduation. I am a student and will start a CNA program in August. I am looking forward to moving from a non health realted job to a health realted until I finish my Nursing.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 1, 2005

Is this fairly common? For a student to work as a CNA? This is what I am planning on doing, however I'd heard (never from anyone in my town, always from people online) that it's difficult to get a job as a CNA at hospitals, especially when working through college.
I'm wondering how true this is in general? (As always I know it varies by location.)

Many of my classmates work as Patient Care Techs which is very similar to CNA except that you don't have to do the mandatory 5-week CNA training.

Most CNA's that I have seen work in LTC but the PCT's all seem to be hospital-based. The hospitals seem to LOVE nursing students as PCT's and the hours usually work out pretty well. I am starting as a per-diem PCT in an ER in a couple weeks and the schedule fits my schooling way nicer than my current 7a - 3:30p job because I can do eves and weekends.

You might want to look at the job boards at your local hospitals and see what's out there. Techs get lots of floor experieince and have the added bonus of working on the floors w/ the nurses--lots of learning experiences there!

neuronursein06 · Jul 1, 2005

is this fairly common? for a student to work as a cna? this is what i am planning on doing, however i'd heard (never from anyone in my town, always from people online) that it's difficult to get a job as a cna at hospitals, especially when working through college.
i'm wondering how true this is in general? (as always i know it varies by location.)

some hospitals may have a thorough pct/cna training for very new techs (who have never taken a cna course)....but i think most (at least in illinois) either want cna certification, or 1 year of nurisng school, with one med-surg clinical completed.

as for working while in school, some manage to do it, some don't. i had a friend who recently graduated, and she worked 12-hr dayshifts every sat/sun, and somehow managed to do it; i'm not that organized- though i have to say, i never would have psychologically gotten myself to study on a saturday morning...so working sat am's was not a big deal. i'm hoping, this year, to get an externship at one of the hospitals that hire sne's during the school year, and work mon am's (or every other mon...) so i can have the weekends off...getting married, as is my best friend (in ny...)...so btwn weddings, showers, etc, i think i'm going to need my weekends....

- i just copied that from another post of mine...anyway, hospitals in my city love students...but there are also a heck of a lot of university hospitals. i'm very glad that i did work as a pct for 2 yrs (one while finishing prereq's, the other during my 1st yr of nursing school). good luck!

not now, RN · Jul 1, 2005

I was a CNA for half of LVN school. After the initial feeling of being overwhelmed, I liked it. It did wonders in my communication skills (something I was lacking). About one week before graduation the DON told me "We would love to have you as a GVN and when you pass boards you have a position waiting for you." I graduated as the only person in my class that already had a job lined up.

GirlCalledJack · Jul 2, 2005

Thank you for personal experiances!

I am finding that this board is really encouraging, reading all you wonderful members who've been where I am! It's great :)

I can not thank you enough!

NurseBranch · Jul 2, 2005

I'm a CNA, starting my nusrsing classes in the fall. I do work in a hospital and I am currently working full time. I am going to be part time in August because I do not want to be overwhelmed going through school. :uhoh3: I got this job in the hospital right after I finished my CNA class. Working here has been a blessing because I feel like I am ahead of the game. The nurses I work with are fabulous and they show me everything that they have time to. They do not mind answering my questions and are going to be great coworkers when I get my degree. Good Luck with your schooling!

NursKris82 · Jul 28, 2007

in my area it is really hard getting a cna job in a hospital. i've got 5 years of experience and am currently in a nurisng program and can not geta job in the hospital! i think being a cna is a great idea though. try the hospital, but if you can't get in- go to a nursing home instead. you shouldn't have a problem getting a job there.

beth66335, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2007

I worked as a CNA through my prereqs, until my job laid me off. It is just as well, I have a DH and 3 kids who need me to be there as much as I can and working w/school was to hard on them. It does take the fear out of upcoming clinicals for me, I know what to expect, you know? At my old job you could work as a CNA and they would help pay for school (12hrs/semester if you worked FT,6hrs/semester for PT) and in your last year of NS you could move up to SNA, then you could change dressings and a few other things CNAs don't do.

LilNurse2b143 · Aug 9, 2007

I don't know where you're from, but in NJ in my area it's quite easy to get a job as a CNA. I am going into my second semester in the nursing program, and started working as a CNA in May. This job is a GREAT learning experience--and the best part--they are paying for ALL of my schooling!!!! All I have to do is commit to working at this hospital for atleast ONE year-thats it! And it's 5minutes from my house. I couldn't ask for a better setup right now :wink2:

bluelace · Aug 10, 2007

In my first year, I worked as a CNA on a part-time basis, one night a week (usually Friday or Saturday). I was lucky because I was able to set my own schedule, and I tried not to schedule myself to work the night before an exam.

I felt it really helped me connect the dots of the lecture and reading material. I learn best by applying information to a real-life situation, rather than just memorizing facts and details.

I can say that in my class, the students who worked as CNAs (either during school or prior to) were ahead of the students who had no CNA experience. (Our school did away with the CNA requirement, which I believe is a disservice to new students.)

I would recommend, though, that you NOT work full-time. Most of the students who worked full-time had a tough time keeping up their grades and maintaining their health. There are always the exceptions - the people who can get by on 4 hours of sleep.

Best of luck on your decision.