Working as a CNA in nursing school

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Hello! I am starting my first semester in a BSN program this fall and have been applying for numerous PCT jobs over the past three months at the local hospitals. I have no experience in healthcare but I do have my CNA license and am BLS certified. I have had only had one interview (didn't get the job). My question is - should I start seeking work in long term care just to get experience although I have NO desire to work in a nursing home? Will my chances at getting an interview increase once I've finished my first clinicals? I don't have to work for financial reasons but I'm worried that if I don't have any experience, I will have a harder time getting hired on as RN.

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many hospitals love having nursing students as cnas while they are in school. you might not have to be in a snf if you don't want to.

wait for a semester to see how it works out for you and see how school is going. the if you think you can work a shift or two a week into your schedule, see where you might apply. good luck!

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Thanks so much for the advice!

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Specializes in Ortho, CMSRN.

It took me awhile too... We have a lot of hospitals in my area, so that has helped my chances some bit. If you have hospitals within even 40 miles, apply for EVERYTHING for CNA that they have! If they have PRN float nights, take it... it's better than nothing and you might get your foot in the door for something better.

Look for hospitals that have tuition reimbursement. Lots of them offer that!

I wish the best for you :-) And Congrats on getting into nursing school!

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Doing anything to get experience to get your foot in the door is a good idea. You're very fortunate that you dont NEED to work (as am I). It would be great to get that experience, but with the workload for school alone I have, I'm not sure how much time I could really work. Some employers have tuition reimbursement, you never know what friends you will make and who might be in a position to help your career in the future, so go for a job for sure! Just make sure that your school work isn't going to suffer. Good luck!

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Thank you all so much! I am a bit nervous about juggling my course load with family life already since I'll be taking about 17 credit hours a semester. I think I'll see how my first semester goes and then start applying more aggressively after that.

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Specializes in ED.
Many hospitals love having nursing students as CNAs while they are in school. You might not have to be in a SNF if you don't want to.

Wait for a semester to see how it works out for you and see how school is going. The if you think you can work a shift or two a week into your schedule, see where you might apply. Good luck!

I was just about to post and ask about this. My think is I may need to start during my first semester. I Want to be able to pay for daycare without loans if possible. I was offered a prn job last semester by the DON at a local hospital. She said I could work as little as I want and there were no minimal hours required. Should I give this a try? I also two little ones..

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

I was just about to post and ask about this. My think is I may need to start during my first semester. I Want to be able to pay for daycare without loans if possible. I was offered a prn job last semester by the DON at a local hospital. She said I could work as little as I want and there were no minimal hours required. Should I give this a try? I also two little ones..

I say if you can make your own schedule go for it!

One of my jobs is like that...I am an STNA in a LTC facility, all I have to do is work at min. 2 days a month, which I schedule myself! It's great!

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Specializes in ED.

Woah at my typos! Sorry! Lol. Thanks, I may try it. I'm nervous though since I have no prior experience. I was told when I was ready to let her know. I may wait a couple of weeks into the semester to see how it is going. Failing out is my fear.. :|

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I work at a smaller hospital right now as a tech and I LOVE it! I'm registry so I only sign up for the days I want to work. All but one of the techs are nursing students so the nurses are really good about letting us do things and letting us watch any of their procedures. For example we can change IV tubing, hang new IV bags, etc.

I've never worked in LTC and I dont know if it would work well for me. But I'm sure it would still be good experience.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

I had a hospital float pool CNA job going into nursing school. I think it helps. It's PRN and I can work as much or as little as I want we make our own schedules day by day. I live my job, but of course, even the best jobs have their bad days. I like the fact that I'm in a hospital setting and get to float to different departments! Like ICU, ER, Psych, Sleep Center, Hospice, etc.....

It's a blessing to have a job like this in nursing school! About 5 of my classmates work in the same department as me. 2 others work online particular dept of the same hospital. Our float pool loves to higher student, especially nursing students!

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