What should I do?

[lucyc66]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this...but i'm pre-nursing still so I guess this is where I'll put it..

So I applied to my local university's nursing program for fall2012 and didn't get in. My grades are excellent, but I applied with physiology in progress and so they counted it as a C. So now I'm left without plans for fall semester, and will be applying to CC's nursing programs for Spring 2013.

I'd been thinking a lot about what I should do with my fall semester since I have pretty much all of my graduation requirements done, and it seems like I should do EMT or CNA courses to gain some experience and help me with possible future employment.

But the thing is...I really don't want to take any of those classes.

I guess my question is this: how greatly will not having any nursing/medical experience hinder my chances at employment once I graduate? Will it really be so bad if I have no real-world experience? (I live in LA county if that matters-california). This probably isn't such a big issue at universities, but at CC a lot of my pre-nursing classes were filled with emt's, cna's, phlebotomists, and the like.

I'd very much like to take a medical terminology class instead, or other classes that might help me once in the nursing program. (any suggestions??) If I did this I'd be able to work and go to school, which seems unlikely if I was to do a CNA or EMT program, and I could really use the money.

I feel like I'm not making sense so I apologize, it's pretty late (or early) but I hope someone can provide some guidance/advice or impart knowledge on this lost prenursing student.

[Stephalump]

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.

[country73]

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.

[hellosun]

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 =)

[leonard_huh, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

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.

[ohhbee]

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.

[RN2BKS]

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.