Should I work as a CNA before starting Nursing School?

cherryelle07 · Mar 29, 2016

To be honest, I don't think you need the CNA experience. Lots of nurses get hired without it. If it were me, I would get a PRN job if I had my CNA certification (You paid for it, why not use it) and just keep it throughout school as a way to make extra money. A lot of companies/facilities only require you to work 2 shifts a month and you can pick up more if you want. A lot of the PRNs I work with at my job, work twice a month and pick up more during breaks or if they happen to need the extra cash. Also that 5 month period would be a good time to save up a good nest egg for emergencies, books, supplies, etc rather then using student loans to pay for it. The less you use in financial aid, the better.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2016

I was able to manage just fine without CNA experience...

With that being said, it would be wise to pick up a CNA position PRN (as needed) while you attend school. It will allow you the flexibility of working one day a week, one day a month, or however little you want. Also, the networking opportunities will make finding an RN position easier once you graduate.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 29, 2016

Look for PRN positions only to get a foot in the door for your future if you can. :yes:

pink4 · Mar 29, 2016

I worked as a CNA on a med surg unit all through nursing school and it helped tremendously to me! I basically got to see my textbook come alive and it all made sense to me why the docs and nurses do what they do and it helped me understand concepts better. Not to mention the nurses were like amazing tutors for me.

eleah2 · Mar 29, 2016

Thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate it. I heard it will be hard to try and get in at local hospitals. I would have to start at SNF. Would that be good experience enough? It would be great to get in at the hospitals for networking after nursing school but I don't know. I would need 6 months experience as a CNA before getting hired at hospitals.

pink4 · Mar 30, 2016

That's what I did cause the she issue of experience... but you will gain knowledge at the ltc as well, seeing as they're like the main population we treat inpatient..

AnArtist · Mar 31, 2016

I started in my last year of nursing school because I didn't feel I had as much experience as the other nursing students who did do tech work. It has helped me be more comfortable in communicating and interacting with patients and I felt I needed it because I hadn't had enough job experience. If you've had a lot of jobs and already feel that you are good at interacting with patients it might not help that much, though.

stevenchambers.75 · Apr 1, 2016

Hi there!
I have just finished a CNA course, and passed my state boards a couple weeks ago. I am now a Certified Nursing Assistant! However, I just found out that I have just gotten accepted to the nursing program for this Fall. My question is, should I work as a CNA for the next couple of months before starting nursing school? Will it help me as far as knowing a little bit more in nursing school, and will it help me land a job faster as a nurse with CNA experience under my belt? Or does it not matter at all? I want to spend the last 5 months with family, and just enjoying myself before I have no life! I also don't want to miss out not working as a CNA for the experience. I am stuck, not knowing what I should do. I know there are many of you who are way more experienced then I am, and I would love your input! Thank you so much for your time!

Yes, it isn't required, but it can be helpful. I honestly think every nurse should be required to be a CNA for 1 year before being accepted into a nursing program.

It helped me out a lot. Of course I like to learn, so when my nurse was doing something I didn't know how to do, I would tag along and watch. I also went and got my QMA after I finished my pharmacology. That was very helpful in learning meds and what they do.

DAtwater · Apr 1, 2016

Yes, absolutely. You don't NEED to work as a CNA to be a good RN, but in my own experience, the skills I learned as a CNA (time management, basic patient monitoring, and patient interaction) made me that much more comfortable starting my clinic rotations and gave me good information about my own preferences: I know for certain that I will enjoy bedside nursing. Also, the patient population you will see in a SNF is nearly the same population you might see on your average med-surg floor. If you can, try to find a SNF that has both LTC and rehabilitative units.

If you start now and work full time (and yes, you can still have a social life if you work the floor), you will be at nearly six months of experience that will gain you access to a hospital CNA position the time your program starts. You could start working in a hospital next summer or during the school year if your local hospitals hire CNAs PRN. Facilities are much more likely to hire you if they are familiar with you and your work ethic. Putting in the extra work now will make you more likely to land an acute care job right out of your program.

PeggySue · Apr 1, 2016

I would recommend you take a PRN position at a hospital, specifically on a MedSurg floor. It has been a great learning experience for me. Our local hospitals have a program specifically designed for nursing students. We make a couple dollars more per hour than the full time patient care associates, but we don't get all the other extras that full time employees receive so it all evens out. Plus you have your foot in the door when you graduate. It's GREAT experience and if you are willing to learn, the RNs will let you watch them do all kinds of stuff! We are responsible for foleys, baths, beds, blood draws, PIVs (new IVs in arms only), and numerous other patient care duties. I love it, it's the best job I've probably ever had. Our hospital requires at least one semester of clinical under your belt, so you may have to wait until your 2nd semester to apply. It also helps if you have some initiative. Go to the floors and introduce yourself to the managers. Ask for a job. Don't apply online and just wait for someone to call you. If you want a job, go get it. Good luck!!

PeggySue · Apr 1, 2016

I would have to start at SNF. Would that be good experience enough?

What is SNF?