CNA Before RN?

Do CNA's work in hospitals and doctors' offices or mainly in nursing homes? Are employment rates good for CNA's in NYC (LI and Queens), and do they cover health insurance even for part-time workers? The reason I'm asking is because my main goal is to become a nurse, but I'm thinking of studying & working as a CNA part-time. I prefer to find a job that pays health insurance for p/t workers, so I can finish nursing classes asap and do well in them. Please give me advice/tips. Thanks.

I'm in nursing school also (ADN). I worked as a CNA for the first two years of school. It was practical because I could work 16 hour shifts on the weekends. I don't think that many places offer benefits to part time employees, so maybe the weekend deal would be good for you. Hospitals hire CNA or PCTs as well as nursing homes. You will make more money at a nursing home but the pay still sucks ( around 10-12hr). It's a tough job, after my classes got more difficult, I had to quit, plus I wanted to because being a CNA is pretty unbearable. You lift people that are hitting you, your patients will insult you, you work with idiots, not to mention the gross out factor( which you'll get used to). It's a flexible job considering hours, but I would try to find something else. Also, you can just challenge the test to avoid the classes. The only thing you need to "study" is the demonstration type things, the written part is all common sense.

yes -it's a great way to gain experience and pay the bills while attending nursing school. talk to your college advisor.

I live in Iowa and they are now requiring that all nursing students go through the CNA class for experience.

Nursing schools are so competitive now, that you need the admission points gained by working as a CNA to even have a prayer at getting into and RN program. I know very few people currently in RN school who were able to get in w/o working as a CNA 1st. Those who say it is a waste of time don't know what they are talking about, or went to a private school that charges 30k in tuition so they can afford to accept more people. Times have changed, and you need to get your foot in the door somehow!!

CNA's usually work in hospitals and nursing homes. When I worked PT as a CNA I got insurance.

I've worked under RN's who were CNA's before and some who weren't. Working as a CNA before being an RN is good, you know where you have come from and you tend to treat the CNA's well. The RN's who had never been CNA's tended to be rude and never understood the amount of work I was doing.

Being a CNA before being an RN is good for when you try to get into nursing school. You already have some knowledge. It gives you a step up compared to the applicants who have not been a CNA before.