Should I change my current job to increase my chance of getting hired later?

[Ms.C]

I am a nursing student (1st yr in an ADN program to get my RN and then my BSN) and I also work for an oral surgery practice (for almost a year and a half now). I would like to work as a surgical nurse eventually and I thought that my job as a surgical assistant might be helpful when it came to some type of background experience. It has become a common thought in my nursing class among students due to teacher recommendations and our own observation during clinicals that working as a CNA (certified nurse assistant/aide) would be a good idea. I like my job as a surgical assistant probably more than I would like to be a CNA but I am really trying to increase my chances of getting hired. I thought that by being a surgical assistant I would stand out among all the CNAs but I am afraid of getting overlooked because I don't have the hospital experience they do. I guess I'm just looking for some advice on whether I should make a career change to being a CNA or just stay where I am now until I finish my nursing program in about a year and decide what to do then. I would appreciate any help! Thank you in advance! :)

[St_Claire, ADN, RN]

I worked as a CNA throughout nursing school and I had the advantage of knowing how to do hands-on patient care. It was very obvious which students did not have that experience. The duties a CNA performs used to be the duties the nurses performed.

If it were me I would not give up your current job since it relates to where you want to work. How about a part time CNA position just one day a week? SNFs are always looking for PRN CNAs.

[Ms.C]

I worked as a CNA throughout nursing school and I had the advantage of knowing how to do hands-on patient care. It was very obvious which students did not have that experience. The duties a CNA performs used to be the duties the nurses performed.

If it were me I would not give up your current job since it relates to where you want to work. How about a part time CNA position just one day a week? SNFs are always looking for PRN CNAs.

Hi thank you for responding! I wanted to ask u: how helpful the hands on patient care was in regards to your job as a nurse? That is not a bad idea just to go one day a week. SNF= skilled nursing facility? Is that the same as a nursing home? I'm definitely going to look into this :)