What to do.. what to do.. Need your opinion

colleen10 · Nov 25, 2003

Hi Nurserocks,

I wanted to say that I have had to make the same types of decisions you are currently contemplating.

While CNA experience is great experience to get yourself aclimated to nursing it is not absolutely necessary and really only you can decide based on your interests and income and bills what is right for you.

I am currently a first semester nursing student and over a year ago I applied to a program like the one you are describing only it was a lot longer but you got paid a little bit while you were training and then would get a raise once you completed it and accepted a position with them.

It turned out for me, to not be worth it. The pay was significantly lower than what I make now, they seemed to waiver a bit on exactly what shift I would be working once they hired me and I had to commit to a whole year. It just didn't seem worth it since I am in a part time program now and can keep my day job while I go to school at night.

However, I am currently looking for externships and student nursing jobs for the summer and next year which will be my last year as a nursing student. My situation has changed a bit and I think I'll be able to make it on a lower income for my last year, I've also gotten to the point with my current job that I really don't think I can take working here much longer so I am ready for the switch.

Good luck and just make sure you look at all of your options and see every angle before you make a decision.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2003

Colleen -- Hi! I'm in a similar spot as you (except my program is three weeks -- really no big difference).

I'm going for it. Eager to get started in the health care field -- brand new for me. I'll be working on the med /surg floor at a local hospital.

All the nurses I've spoken to have agreed it'll be a great experience, which will provide us an advantage in our first few clinicals and later in our professional careers.

Best to ya whatever you decide!

nursesrocks · Nov 25, 2003

your reply helped me a lot colleen. thanks!

opalmRN · Nov 26, 2003

Originally posted by nursesrocks
How will this help my career if I pursue nursing? Can anyone tell me what will be my benefits if I become a CNA prior to becoming a nurse?

If you have never had experience working in healthcare, it will give you some exposure and experience in basic patient care.

If you are not totally sold on nursing, it may be a good idea to see first hand the down and dirty side of healthcare and how physically demanding it can be.

Will it actually help you in nursing school, I suppose that depends on you. I know nurses who never did any type of patient care prior to school and they are magnificant nurses. I know others who were CNAs before and feel it helped them but only with the first semester skills.

My suggestion would be to determine what is the worst that can happen if you don't do it vs what is the worst if you do.

It could be a good learning experience but you can be a nurse without it.

Good luck whatever you decide.

c

goober4699 · Nov 26, 2003

Hey!! I currently work as a per-diem unit clerk in the same hospital my mom has been emplyed for 15 years. I have just spoke to my manager about possibly cross training as a nursing assistant (tech) in january. I will be paid my currently hourly wage which is quite good, throughout the duration of the five day training. currently i am paid 13.61 an hour with a differential on the evening shift of .80 and 1.20 on the nights. That is substantially greater then any wage I could hope for anywhere else.

If this pay will not greatly hurt you and you feel it could help you as far as nursing skills go, then i say go for it. For me it means no raise in pay, however it moves me up from the bottom of the totem pole to just below the bottom (lol) so i feel as if the extra work effort is worth it, especially since i dont have to work very often anyway if i dont want to.

I have already learned some skills that are required of a CNA such as EKG's, blood sugars, baths, boosts and turns, so other then then phlebotomy there really isnt much more for me to learn by way of nursing skills.

Good Luck with whatever you decide, patient care is often a good indicator of whether or not Nursing is the way to go!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 26, 2003

Some other things you might consider if you are starting nursing school in the next year or so....

After you finish your first semester, teaching hospitals (and maybe all hospitals--ask yours) hire you as a Nurse Extern, so you can practice those skills you have been cleared on at school. This not only provides you with lots of opportunity to get better at those skills, it puts you at an advantage for jobs at your hospital because they know you and even more, you know about the positions.

Tuition reimbursement may be another consideration: hospitals often reimburse tuition for a small commitment to continue working there. (Mine asks that one continue to work 6 months after each reimbursement--those don't add up, they just start the clock over again each time they give you the $$, so the most you ever owe is 6 months. Ask yours.)

Maybe the most important consideration is this one: are you happier working where you are or where you will be? I love patient care so much that I have worked for a lot less than I could have in my current profession (licensed psychotherapist). Personal satisfaction can make up for less pay....

Good luck to you!

NurseDixie · Nov 26, 2003

I don't think you necessarily have to have experience in the health care field, but it does help. I've worked as a CNA for a lot of years and it has helped me a lot, but most of my classmates had no experience working in hospitals and they are doing very well.

CarVsTree · Nov 26, 2003

Will you be in nursing school at the same time?

I was going to start CNA training on January 6 (also 5 week course). My nursing classes start January 14. My plan was to do both simultaneously until Feb. 13. Well, what the HR department failed to tell me is, CNA training is a 5 week course followed by 2 more months of training and classroom scheduled on the weekends. Well, my nursing program is evening and EOW so that would not work.

Just wanted to let you know how I was mislead (albeit accidently) so that you can verify how long the training truly is.

I'm now working at Circuit City and after New Year's will be making about the same as I would have made as a CNA. As for helping in becoming a nurse, I'm not sure how much CNA helps since the roles are so different. Nonetheless, I'm considering becoming a PSNA (Professional Student Nurse Assistant) after 2 semesters of school. This will only require a 2 week training period, since I'll already have the nec. CNA skills/knowledge.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2003

Hi, Sue! Could you please expand on the PSNA opportunity.

Sounds interesting. Thanks!