Should I work as a CNA or wait until I graduate in a few months?

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I have about 3 months before I graduate in BSN. I am currently not working. I was looking online for nurse extern/internships but came across a CNA position in the ED near my home. I have always wanted to work in ED after getting my BSN. What would you do? Would you apply for the CNA position or wait until graduation and look for RN jobs?

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Specializes in ICU.

You need to ask if a nursing student is ok to apply for the position. If the hospital is looking for a permanent person, they won't hire you.

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Not worth it, to me. Even if you do apply, it could take 1-2 weeks to hear about for another interview and another 1-2 weeks before you even start. Nope, just wait.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

It is highly unlikely that anyone will hire you with only 3 months to graduation. Especially in the ED with no experience. Even if you have experience, you still likely wouldn't get hired.

This is not meant to be a downer response. It's just reality. It's expensive to bring in new employees and get them trained. Then for you to be an RN and be applying for RN positions in 5 months is not worth it.

Also so consider most facilities have a minimum amount of time you need to work there before applying for other positions. Getting a CNA job there now could ruin your ability to get an RN position right away upon graduation.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Most employers will not be happy hiring a CNA who is only going to be around a couple of months before leaving. And even if one did a couple months experience as a CNA is not going to bump up your chances of getting an RN position very much. At this point you'd probably be better off looking for a new grad RN position and trying to get one secured for when you graduate.

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Is this ED looking to hire RNs right now as well? When I graduated school (before boards) I was hired as a nurse aide and promised the RN position as soon as I had my license. I worked as a nurse side for about 2 months and then when I let my boss know I had passed my boards, she switched my title to RN the next day and sent me to the new RN hospital orientation. It does happen sometimes, feel the employer out. I would think a couple of months as a nurse aide would be beneficial to the employer in deciding if they want to hire you as a nurse or not?

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