What job be better while in nursing school?

guest769224 · May 19, 2015

The way I looked at it, I got my CNA for two reasons:

1. More job opportunities and wider range of settings in jobs

2. A CNA job in a hospital, or nursing home, can get you a job as a new grad RN once you graduate, since you have already demonstrated good work ethic.

CNA is more physically demanding, EMT is more fun and you practice cooler skills.

Your CNA program is expensive. I paid $400 bucks for mine, and it was a only a week long class.

If I were you, and I intended on RN school, I'd choose CNA, but I would select a cheaper local program.

$1500 is a cheat!

WCSU1987 · May 19, 2015

1500 is the cheapest outside of the Red Cross and an Adult Ed program I found. The CC is 2K.

guest769224 · May 19, 2015

If you can afford to pick up and leave for a short time, go for it. I traveled 400 miles for my CNA program to get it done quick. Considering your circumstances I'd probably choose EMT.

With it, you could still get a gig as an ER tech or run with the EMS crew.

WCSU1987 · May 19, 2015

Probably CNA more job opportunities out there.

Blacklisted from one hospital took a per diem job, but accepted day after a full time job at another hospital. Never told them was not going to do the per diem job. So I be hired on basis if could explain an "extraordinary circumstances."

Then one hospital took a per diem job for 8 month's left. Went to another hospital full time was laid off from that hospital, won't go back there again. Worked at the hospital did the 8 month per diem job in the surgical unit, but missed working with patients. So I went back to work psych again.

Anyways been applying for this nurse technician position in psych that requires a CNA hoping they bite four times, no go. Try one more time explain can be certified in 3 week's if hired. Have at least 3 year's psych experience and 4 year's in patient care experience. The hospital is part of a larger hospital in the state. They own three separate psych units. A rehab unit a vna unit and I think 3 or 4 hospitals. A helicopter/trauma unit. One out of two level 1 trauma unit. They are a mix of some of their hospitals being magnet accredited and some accept ADNs and LPNs.

Long story short really trying to get in to the hospital, ha.

mirandaaa · May 19, 2015

I don't have any experience as an EMT, but I do as a CNA.

I took a step back from working as a CNA because my last facility was a nightmare. I was extremely overworked and extremely underpaid and began resenting it.

Now that I've taken some time away, I realize how much I miss it. I'm looking into going back once I start nursing school. PRN CNA's usually make several dollars more hourly than full-time employees since they don't have the benefits, but the schedule is very flexible. If I can work 2 doubles a week, I can spend the other 5 days focused on school.

I will say that $1500 for a CNA course is pretty excessive...

My schedule was M-F 8-3 for four weeks and it was only $700. Maybe check and see if you can find something a little less expensive in your area!

mindofmidwifery, ADN · May 19, 2015

CNA! You will get invaluable patient/family member socialization experience, will be working amongst nurses and other medical personnel, and won't be shocked when you're a nurse and your aides are understaffed and are asking for your assistance :)

CNAs are a part of nursing staff so that tells you that it's relevant to being a registered nurse. It really helps you with working on your bedside manner and gets you familiar with how to approach patients and family members when doing cares and needing to speak to them. I can't imagine just hopping into being a nurse without the experience I'm getting now, I'd be beyond shy and timid.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · May 19, 2015

Also, the nursing home where I'm working taught my CNA course and it was free for me since I applied for a position there. The only thing I had to pay for was the test and scrubs, of course.

Carieann8 · May 20, 2015

Look other places for CNA. I'm from north of Pittsburgh PA. I got paid min. wage while in class and clinicals. Also my test was then free! I got mine through a nursing home, go around to local nursing homes and ask if they have a CNA program. Call around though to many and see!! Good Luck!

golson · May 20, 2015

I went the CNA route because I see it as a foot in the door at an organization that I could work as an RN at someday. I partially lucked out, and partially sacrificed by volunteering to work third shift and ended up with a job at a hospital. Its only 20 hours a week, but it comes with health insurance and is around 50% more pay than the nursing homes that had offered me jobs. Building a reputation with nurses and nursing leadership at this job will help me when I've got my associates degree in two years. If I can leverage that into a part time RN position at the hospital, I'll be light years ahead of my peers during and after my BSN program.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · May 20, 2015

I agree that CNA is better for nursing students. Are you already in nursing school? I ask because usually after 1 or 2 semesters of clinical you can take the exam without taking a class; and some hospitals won't even require a CNA after 1-2 semesters.

jj224 · May 20, 2015

Obviously biased given my background, but I'd say EMT - especially if you want to work in ED or critical care when you're done with school. As an EMT you can work as an ER tech or work for a private ambulance company. You will get a chance to work on rapid head to toe assessments and hone your critical thinking skills. Can't really chime in on being a CNA since I never was one. But I will say, CNA is a tough job. If you've ever heard that nurses are overworked and underappreciated, its even more true for CNAs.