Should I work as CNA while studying for NCLEX

[ptrevino]

Should I work as CNA while studying for NCLEX ? any ideas? did anyone get a job as a CNA for a couple months post graduation while waiting for the NCLEX.

[mrsboots87]

Once an employer sees you have graduated a nursing program, they will likely trash your resume. They don't want to get you hired on and train you for you to only be there as a CNA for a few months. Then they have to find someone else to fill the spot. Also consider that many facilities also have a certain amount of time (usually 6-12 months) that you have to be an employee before you can change positions. Meaning that if it is 6 months and you have only worked there for 3 as a CNA you would be negligible to apply for a nursing position for 3 more months effectively taking that entire health system out of your nursing job possibilities for a while.

[verene, MSN]

It doesn't make sense to work as a CNA post graduation, unless you have already been working that position for a while before graduation and are just retaining it until you pass the NECLEX. No employer is going to want to hire someone who will leave in a 2-3 months. It isn't cost effective for them to spend several weeks on training only to have that employee quit a few weeks after coming off orientation.