Poll: Healthcare Experience Before Nursing School?

Published

Did you/do you have healthcare experience prior starting nursing school

If NO - Do you think that the lack of healthcare background has hindered you in your studies in nursing school?

If YES - What is your background and years of experience?

Thank you everyone!! :)

Specializes in LTC.

I was a CNA for 6 years prior to nursing school (I just finished my LPN year and start my RN year in a matter of weeks). I think it made me for comfortable with the patient care aspect. Also I have some ideas on patient handling. My instructor also commented how comfortable I am with the elderly (I work in LTC). Also it helped to put a few diseases to a face and think of that patient when studying (Parkinsons, dementia, etc).

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does volunteering count? i have volunteered in a hospital for 3.5 years. as for actual certified experience? none.

by the way, nursein2012, you and i are very similar! both aspiring CRNA in mass :)

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Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

My answer is sort of...work comp stuff such as high end wheelchairs, hospital beds, hoyer lifts...so I know what these things are and what they DO, but never did more than sell them.

With that being said- I am actually GLAD I do not have direct pt. care experience. This means that I have no habits to "unlearn" in order to perform skills the way my clinical instructors want me to. :D

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

7 Years wilderness EMS

2 years ambulance

2 years clinical assistant

HUGE HELP... I wish I had hospital experience too so I think I'll work at a hospital during school. I've already been told "I see you've done this before" by my instructors.

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Paramedic. I could write some of the chapters in our nursing books. It definitely makes things easier.

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I have experience as a medical assistant. waste of time and money if you ask me (program was 8 months.. finished it in 4 months thats how easy it was). i did get some vital clinical skills though, so hopefully it helps me. todays my first day. had a job at two hospitals drawing blood, EKGs, urinalysis, vitals, etc.

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i think its a big help if you have a healthcare experience because you wouldnt feel overwhelmed in clinical settings. You wouldn't worry about the little things like omg how do i empty a catheter, or what is that thing hanging on the wall? oh that's oxygen lolz :uhoh3:

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