Quit my CNA Job ???!

[Togglina Tugi]

Hello all! I’ve been working as a CNA on the west coast for almost 2 years now! I love being a CNA! I became a CNA with the goal of gaining healthcare experience for PA school. I made that clear to my nursing director when I was hired. So fast forward to today and I got into PA school!!! I don’t start PA school until next fall. My dilemma is should I continue to be a CNA until I start school or quit and find another job now that I have secured my spot in pa school. I really want to keep this job for now because I have direct contact with patients and I feel it would make me a better healthcare provider in the long run. On the flip side we have been short staffed as our unit cut back down to once cna for 18 patients on a cardiac step down unit due to budgeting issues. I really love this job and my coworkers and the patients but I get paid a measly 15 bucks an hour doing back breaking work. Should I just quit and do a boring office job until I start?

Help

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Don't quit your CNA job, unless you have another one lined up and it's a step up from your current position. Like another PP said, some of the best nurses, NPs, PAs and others were CNAs to start with. I was a hospital CNA while I was going through nursing school, and I learned "the business" working side-by-side with other healthcare professionals. I still think that experience made me a better RN, as it will make you a better PA. Congratulations for making it into school, and good luck to you in the future!

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

Unless you have another job, keep the CNA u til you start PA school. You also have no guarantee that another job won't be short-staffed and overworked... it is health care afterall. Also, why rock your boat more than it needs to be you know the unit and the flow of things, plus have likely accumulated vacation, sick days, and some seniority, why wreck that.