Pre-nursing student... What's your job??

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This summer, after this semester, I'm going to look for a job that will make me feel more confident in a medical type setting- as to better prepare myself for nursing school and eventually becoming an RN. Being a CNA is always a possibility, but the training never works with my schedule of being a fulltime student.

My friend is a unit secretary and just got accepted into nursing school. She said she would never be a CNA because they get the worst work, but she would definitely do anything else in a hospital to get a better idea of what being a nurse is like. She suggested becoming a Unit Secretary.

I really have no experience in the medical field so I'm not sure where to look first.

Anyway, just curious what kind of jobs you guys, as pre-nursing students, have right now? Are they nursing/medical related?

While in nursing school I really don't think I want to work at a hospital (overkill) so I'll probably just keep my 10 hour a week "mall job" for some social interaction.

I'm also going to volunteer at a hospital here, for 4 hours a week for a few months. Another friend did it and said it was just a nice experiene for her. Any hospital volunteers out there?

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CNA's might get "the worst work" but their job is the #1 job where you'd get to somewhat experience what a nurses job is like. Of course nurses have many added responsibilities. But being a CNA where you are giving bed baths, toileting, dressing, amublating, feeding, etc..thats a big part of nursing. Unit secretaries don't have one on one patient caregiving. A unit secretary is just that..a secretary, little if any patient contact.

In order to understand nursing you'd need to have a job that the nurse has in hers/his. And direct patient care is the biggie in nursing. the CNA is the extra set of eyes and ears for the nurse.

I'll be working during school at the same job I've had for over a decade. I am a health claims analyst and I work from home for my company.

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I'll be working during school at the same job I've had for over a decade. I am a health claims analyst and I work from home for my company.

What training/education did you need for your job?

Peace,

Cathie

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Right now I work at a restaurant (I've been there for almost 4 years now).....But I'll be getting certified as a nursing assistant this year, and then hopefully getting a job in a nursing home. :)

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What training/education did you need for your job?

Peace,

Cathie

I got my certification through a local business/vocational school. It was full time for ohhh I think like 18mths +/-. My classes included some A&P, lots of med terminology etc.

I am the only lucky one of all the analysts in the company to be able to work from home. I picked my battles at work (when I worked in-house) and kept my mouth shut for certain things, knowing in the end it would work to my benefit..and it did. I have to work a certain amount of hours per week but my company doesn't care when its done..as long as between Sunday and Saturday I have my hours in. I love it. And I don't plan on quitting when I get my LPN license. Why would I want to quit that job to go to one where I have to work FT, weekends, holidays etc. I will work as an LPN but only a few shifts per week. My salary at my job now is almost the same as what new grad LPN's make.

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I am a stay at home mom to a 3 & 5 year old. Oh, and I'm a student!

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I worked as a unit clerk many years back. It was a good introduction to health care for me.

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Hey,

i am a pre nursing student and i am in my last three classes before nursing school...being a cna has many benefits it may be gross but hey nursing can be very gross at times... i have seen so much as a cna that i would never see as a secretary...my nurses let me do lots of stuff and i get to be there when they are doing the assessment on the pts...also as a cna you get to go on diff. units in the hosp. and in that way you can get a feel for the area and see if you might want to work there after school...esp specialty areas for example i already know i will have a job waiting for me on my mother/baby unit after school...

Please keep in mind that after your 1st semester of nursing school you will be able to work as a nurse tech/cna....well this is just my 2cents

good luck

coco

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I got my CNA certificate three years ago and worked in both assisted living, and then worked on the Ortho/Spine floor of my hospital. On the floor, I was trained as a PCA (patient care associate) so I did both CNA work and unit secretary work. Recently, I transfered to the Lab to work as a lab assistant to "broaden my horizons", so to speak. Now I am getting phlebotomy training! I have learned so so much in each of these positions. I would have to say that being a CNA gave me the best idea of what nursing is really like, but all have been really valuable to me. Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that I get into nursing school!

Good luck to you!

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CNA's might get "the worst work" but their job is the #1 job where you'd get to somewhat experience what a nurses job is like. Of course nurses have many added responsibilities. But being a CNA where you are giving bed baths, toileting, dressing, amublating, feeding, etc..thats a big part of nursing. Unit secretaries don't have one on one patient caregiving. A unit secretary is just that..a secretary, little if any patient contact.

In order to understand nursing you'd need to have a job that the nurse has in hers/his. And direct patient care is the biggie in nursing. the CNA is the extra set of eyes and ears for the nurse.

I'll be working during school at the same job I've had for over a decade. I am a health claims analyst and I work from home for my company.

sorry messed up

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CNA's might get "the worst work" but their job is the #1 job where you'd get to somewhat experience what a nurses job is like. Of course nurses have many added responsibilities. But being a CNA where you are giving bed baths, toileting, dressing, amublating, feeding, etc..thats a big part of nursing. Unit secretaries don't have one on one patient caregiving. A unit secretary is just that..a secretary, little if any patient contact.

In order to understand nursing you'd need to have a job that the nurse has in hers/his. And direct patient care is the biggie in nursing. the CNA is the extra set of eyes and ears for the nurse.

I'll be working during school at the same job I've had for over a decade. I am a health claims analyst and I work from home for my company.

I realized I might've made being CNA look like I didnt respect it or think it's a good stepping stone for nursing. I do. I'd even become one if the training would work out with my life (It might during the summer, we'll see) I think the problem is at her facility (which is the one I'd like to work at because the location is diserable with my house) the CNA's are treated with absolutely no respect, which she sees on the daily. She likes being a secretary because she gets to work with the nurses and doctors, following them around to all the patients taking notes. She gets to see a lot of stuff (in her words). No she doesn't work directly with patients but she's still involved a little bit with the whole team.

She's also certified as a CNA.

How did you guys get certified? There is the redcross here but I'm looking for other options.

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oh hon, the thought that you didn't respect CNA's never crossed my mind. I didn't read that in your post. You were just saying that your friend said that CNA;s get the worst work..and they do. I was just trying to let you know that your friend is a bit off when she says that a Unit Secretary would give you a feel for nursing..it won't..unless you plan on going to school, getting your license and then proceeding to push papers all day. (NOT saying thats all secretaries do..I was one for years).

I became certified years and years ago (i've since let my cert lapse.). I was trained by the LTC I was going to work for. They paid ME to teach me to be a CNA LOL. Now YOu pay them to teach you. My times have changed

Now, I can get my cert back after approx 200 hrs of my LPN classes. I'll probably get that cert back just to have it in case I want to pick up some CNA shifts and make a little extra cash.

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