What should I do?

Well you could take a CNA or EMT course, but are you planning on working through nursing school? If you're planning on being unemployed in January you wouldn't actually be getting any real world experience, just taking a class.

If you plan on working for the next couple of years, then it isn't a terrible idea, but if you don't want to do it, don't. It's not some wonderful magic key to being a nurse - it's helped some get a job, while others can't even get a job where they're working as a CNA.

I personally did not get my CNA before starting nursing school, but a lot of my classmate did. It helped them tremendessly. They had so much more experience of hospital procedures in general. I wish I had gotten my CNA in high school like a lot of them did. RN nursing students still have to learn how to do all the CNA skills anyway. So by taking CNA classes, it would help prepare you for your nursing program. Plus if you wanted a job, it pays way better than minimum wage, and it will look good on an application. I am from Va, so I don't know exactly how it works in CA, but I hope this helps.

I think it probably would've been more helpful if you got it earlier on (I wish I had too). If you take the class in the fall and start nursing school in the spring I wouldn't do it. Chances are you won't have much time for a job once you're in your nursing program and it might be smarter for you to save up some money now for the next few years. And in the meantime you could still take a medical terminology course or even volunteer at a local hospital, shadow a nurse etc. in your free time. You'll figure something out that will work for you =)

hey, well if you have no experience right now, it would be good to gain the knowledge. first since you have time before getting any results from other schools if you get into their program or not. i would recommend doing cna to gain the skills. i had a semester to kill before starting my first clinical in the nursing program so i decided to take a cna class and when i entered my first clinical it really helped me feel more confident in the skills and the hospital setting. comparing it to my classmates who never had any medical experience or a cna class they seemed nervous and shy. in my opinion gaining that cna class would help you feel more comfortable and prepared during clinical and provide you with more knowledge in working with patients. plus taking a medical terminology class will also be a big plus. just try to gain as much as you can and not waste time, best of luck to you.

I was also considering taking a CNA course August-December. I am applying to Nursing Program (CC in CT) in November and will not hear until May 2013 for a Sept 2013 admission. I have all my pre-reqs completed and am finishing up the co-reqs so I will only be taking my nursing courses once admitted. After reading leonard_huh post I think I will go ahead and enroll in the CNA course.

I was also considering taking a CNA course August-December. I am applying to Nursing Program (CC in CT) in November and will not hear until May 2013 for a Sept 2013 admission. I have all my pre-reqs completed and am finishing up the co-reqs so I will only be taking my nursing courses once admitted. After reading leonard_huh post I think I will go ahead and enroll in the CNA course.

I think you should! It would help you out so much! And it wouldn't hurt to make a little money too right? You could get a casual position during school even. It Also helps to confirm that you want to get into nursing.