RN's what was your occupation while in nursing school?

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I live in Nc and here they have CNA ll and the program sounds interesting. The job description is a basically more advanced training than a cna 1. I know it isn't all about money but I want to be comfortable while in school and not so stressed. I had bad experiences as cna 1, in a LTCF and it just turned me off. I was so tired and stressed I couldn't get work done. A Cna ll is kinda like pca/pct. Alot of hospitals and hospices are hiring for them. My thing is I can't find the pay rate and difference in pay from cna 1 to cna 2? The program is $700 and is for 8 weeks.. does the sound like it's worth it? what did you do while in nursing school?

I'd advise working as as CNA during nursing school. I was working about 32 hours every weekend while in my ASBN program. On top of giving me money so I didn't have to further burden myself with more student loan debt-I think that it made me more time-conscious and definitely helps when it comes time to apply for RN jobs. Don't be fooled- nursing jobs ARE NOT PLENTIFUL, especially for new grads. I applied to 10+ jobs in a major metro area, got 3 interviews and ONE JOB OFFER. you need to stand out from the rest of the herd- that either means you know someone in management or have previous healthcare experience.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

I worked as a Paramedic :)

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I worked as a nurse extern on a cardiac unit.

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Specializes in School nursing.

I was a full time higher education program manager while I took my nursing pre-reqs (though the university I worked at for free, which was awesome), then quit to go to nursing school full time for 18 months - was in a Direct-entry Master's program. I worked very part time as am exam proctor during that time, roughly 4-6 hours a week. After finishing the pre-licensure portion, I passed the NCLEX and started working part-time as a school nurse sub one month later while taking graduate course part-time. (Than I landed a full-time school nurse job and took a break from graduate school to gain more work experience...but that is for another thread.)

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I am a pharmacy technician now and about to start CNA classes next month. I start LPN January 5, 2015

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I was a CNA...at the time as far as I know there was no I vs. II. Initially I worked in LTC (I started that before I even decided to become an RN), and later got a hospital job on an ortho floor. My unit had a Student Nurse Intern position--CNA pay for LPN responsibility...brilliant fiscal move on their part. :rolleyes: I expressed interest in doing that during my final semesters of nursing school, but my boss said no since it was common knowledge that I was moving after nursing school, so would not be working on that unit as an RN. They didn't want to spend the money orienting me.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

I was a student while in school lol. I didn't work. There just was no way to do school and run a family. So my husband worked and we scrimped by and I had some student loans.

I went straight to Rn from no college at all, and got my ADN. Definitely worth it.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

HAOOH HAOOH HAOOH!

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I was a porter for a local dealership. Basically I drove around really nice cars delivering people/cars/parts.

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In NC i thought that the facility can train you to become a Cna 2?

I have yet to find one, all the programs are $700 and up

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Did you get straight into the program and was it hard finding a job as a adn? @ melizerd

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.
Did you get straight into the program and was it hard finding a job as a adn? @ melizerd

I did get in right away. And everyone in my class has a job. It took me about 3 months after passing nclex, there aren't many places here that will interview you before that. We also don't have a huge BSN/ADN issue either. Most places don't care and my particular technical college is well respected.

I went to to school full time and graduated with honors.

I start my first job on Monday in a hospital that was my top choice on a meds/surg oncology floor that was my preference.

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