To all you new grads entering the nursing work force--do you think it is important to have some type of nursing experience under your belt, prior to graduation? I'm just in the middle of my school's nursing program (going for the BSN), and have never done any type of nursing job. My roommate, who is a semester a head of me, has been a CNA for a long while.
Will I be able to get into a nursing job having only have clinical experience from school? I mean that in terms of, will I have able to "hack" it or will I be behind and lost?
Should I be looking for some type of nursing-job? Does anyone know anything about tech jobs? I don't think I'll become a CNA though, so that's out.
Has anyone had any success with just shadowing a bit maybe, going to school, and becoming a nurse?
I personally found working as a nurse tech/cna both before and during school was helpful to me. One reason being, there is not always the opportunity in school to do a lot of different skills:for example:it was not until my final semester that I had the opportunity to put a foley in a pt, however, i had done many working at the hospital, I never got to insert and NGT or even watch one being done:I did at work though. The nurses I worked with were awesome and loved to teach me new skills and allowed me to practice them. I put one IV in while in school and that was during my third semester. By the time I graduated and started working I was much more comfortable starting IVs as I had practice working in the ER. I like to think that for me personally being a cna first helped me through school. I was less nervous meeting my first patient because I already had this experience as well. I also believe it helped me get my current position. My NM knew me and knew how I worked. She created a position for me.
Whatever you decide to do I want to wish you luck.
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
I don't think it is necessary for all ppl but it is definitely advantageous
My story:
1. I started nursing at uni, got through 18 months and quit
2. Still wanted to nurse so became an Enrolled Nurse (similar to LPN)
3. Finally developed the 'guts' to walk back into that building and begin my RN again, while still working as an EN
It was hard, but I found it really helpful, as pharmacology, anat and phys, as well as ppl skills all come together. And learning 'the hospital system' is invaluable...
AuntieRN
678 Posts
I personally found working as a nurse tech/cna both before and during school was helpful to me. One reason being, there is not always the opportunity in school to do a lot of different skills:for example:it was not until my final semester that I had the opportunity to put a foley in a pt, however, i had done many working at the hospital, I never got to insert and NGT or even watch one being done:I did at work though. The nurses I worked with were awesome and loved to teach me new skills and allowed me to practice them. I put one IV in while in school and that was during my third semester. By the time I graduated and started working I was much more comfortable starting IVs as I had practice working in the ER. I like to think that for me personally being a cna first helped me through school. I was less nervous meeting my first patient because I already had this experience as well. I also believe it helped me get my current position. My NM knew me and knew how I worked. She created a position for me.
Whatever you decide to do I want to wish you luck.