Should I take a caregiver job?

ItsTheDude · Mar 2, 2010

caring for anyone is better than not, if you're looking for a career in health care.

thinwildmercury · Mar 3, 2010

i didn't know you could be a caregiver w/o a license. i would do it if i had the opportunity :) also if you have time, you should volunteer.

Annaiya, NP · Mar 3, 2010

I really think you are the only person who can answer that question. You have to consider yourself and your skills and see if you think that experience would help you either in nursing school or beyond. I had no medical experience prior to school, other than volunteering in an ED for a while, which I hated. I didn't do any student tech jobs during school, instead I focused on my studies and got good grades. I hate tech work, and couldn't imagine having to do it for 12 hours at a time. But I love nursing. If you need help getting used to caring for people or with time management, those jobs can be helpful, but they aren't for everyone. Also, I was the first person in my class to have a job secured for after graduation, so they aren't necessary for getting a job after school. If you think it would be good for you, or that you'd enjoy it, then do it. But don't do it just because people say you "should."

caliotter3 · Mar 3, 2010

Suggest you get a CNA certificate. It will open up job opportunities for you, to include home care. Additionally, you can get a higher rate of pay than the person who is not certified. Also consider getting a Home Health Aide certificate to beef up your resume even more. Home care is a good choice for prenursing and nursing students. You get the experience without the physical fatigue that goes with working in a facility.

IHeartPeds87 · Mar 3, 2010

I worked as a caregiver for a little over a year, and thought it was fabulous experience.

That being said, if I had the resources to get certified as a CNA at the time I would have....it opens a lot more doors for you and is even better experience than being a caregiver. A lot of my coworkers were certified CNA's, though it wasn't a requirement for employment.

Brittanyk039 · Mar 3, 2010

You should def do it! I am currently a caregiver for MR/DD residents at a facility and I LOVE it. I think it can really help you determine if this is something that you really enjoy. We have nursing students come in all the time to help with our residents so their school must think its good experience also.

Good luck you ya in any case!

jlwerley · Mar 3, 2010

wow thank you everyone for all your help! i guess i shouldnt get ahead of myself either and assume that i will get a caregiver job either, but i do have a few interviews lined up with them so its a start :) with the jobs i have applied to, they are non-medical caregiver positions so thats why i posted this in the first place.

i will be getting a CNA certificate in the future, hopefully by december of this year, depending on if i can get in the class or not. the job im hoping will be over the summer, when i will also have time to volunteer.

to Annaiya, what is an ED and a student tech job?

thanks again all!

Annaiya, NP · Mar 5, 2010

ED = Emergency Dept. No one seems to call them ERs anymore, because they are generally much larger than 1 room, so they are emergency departments now, not emergency rooms:) Student tech jobs are jobs for nursing students who have completed their fundamentals course. They are essentially CNA positions, but often, once you get to know the nurses and they know you're in nursing school, you get to do more than a CNA would. Also, most hospitals seem to strongly prefer student techs for their CNA positions in critical care.