Should I get a job as an RN or as a Nursing Assistant?

[mbazan17]

I passed my NCLEX-RN September 26, 2012. I am 20 years old (started nursing school after I graduated high school 2010). Here in New Jersey, job market is tough for Associates Degree in Nursing new grads like me. I have no job background (I played sports every season in high school; and I focused hard during nursing school = no job). I am ACLS and PALS certified; I also am a fluent Spanish speaker, I translated throughout nursing school to patients, doctors, and nurses.

Should I get a job as a Nursing Assistant as I wait for my license to come in mail (1-2 months), and until I finish my Bachelors (started a 1 year program, will have bachelors by November 2013). From what I hear from health care professionals, with a bachelors, I have a better chance of obtaining a job.

I need to decide now, I just wanted another perspective.

[nurseladybug12]

Do you absolutely need to get a job while you hunt for a RN job? I graduated in May, took the NCLEX in July, moved from CT to FL and endorsed my license to FL. A week after I officially had my license in my hand, I had a job. I had thought about getting a CNA job or any job while I was hunting. I really didnt want to because looking for a job is exhausting and is a job within itself. If you could focus on looking for a RN job, you should because it could happen a lot sooner than you thought. Make sure you call HR 2-3 days after applying to follow up because they will act very quickly...I heard from the nurse recruiter about interviewing within the week of applying. Also, I was very persistent with the hospital I got a job at. I think I put in 4 or 5 apps within a 2 week span to different departments (before I had my license). I then updated my file with RN license info and I think thats what made the difference between that and other places I had applied to.

[pixiestudent2]

I don't see why you would look for a job as an aide when your a RN. I am thinking you don't have to wait for a physical copy of your license to begin to work as a nurse.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

You do not need to wait for your physical license as long as your license number shows up as active on the BoN website.

[katiedid53]

You are a RN, you do not need to work as a C.N.A. In Wisconnsin, especially in the Milwaukee area, the hospitals are preferring to hire the new grads because they are cheaper and they are getting rid of the seasoned RNs because we cost too much money. Maybe you need to change the focus of specialty that you are applying for and apply for some different specialties or consider moving, you are young, this is the time to travel. I Graduate in 1984 when there were too many nurses in the midwest, so I went down to Georgia for a couple of years until the shortage hit the midwest and then I came back. Just to let you know that the nursing shortage and abundance of nurses is in direct relation to the economy. When the economy is bad, the fewer nursing jobs and when the economy is good then there are fewer nurses to fill the nursing jobs because they go into something else, are able to stay home with the kids etc..., so check out your options, you can get a job as an ADN, but I do advise to work on your BSN for job security reasons. Good luck and congrats on passing you NCLEX.