Working as a CNA

[jesseealicia]

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Does working as a CNA in a Nursing/Rehab center experience for med school? Or should I be looking to go somewhere else?

 

[Doctor Dream]

I think CNA would be considered good clinical experience pretty much regardless of where you work.

 

[TheZaLord]

I worked in nursing/rehab as a therapist for four years and was told I had great clinical experience. I worked closely with you guys, of course, to make sure we addressed all patient needs. And of course with the docs to sign off on POCs. So I'd say sticking with it would be fine. You might make as much as a scribe though and would get to see another healthcare setting/work with docs more closely.

As a side note, not sure about other schools, but when I went to Mizzou for a preview (when I just began thinking about going back to school/applying) they said it (CNA) is so service heavy with low pay, to them, they take it as clinical and volunteer/don't require additional volunteer hours beyond that for those applicants. I thought that was pretty awesome.
That said, that's just this one school. Idk how others view it.

 

[jesseealicia]

Oh that's great then! I've been at my Nurisng/Rehab clinic for about 6 Mos working 40-56 hours a week. One week I worked 96.

 

[Doctor Dream]

Oh that's great then! I've been at my Nurisng/Rehab clinic for about 6 Mos working 40-56 hours a week. One week I worked 96.

That's crazy! Either you're a beast or crazy understaffed.. or both. I used to CNA at a nursing home and can't imagine doing 96 hours, 40 hours and I was spent. Anyway, I'm not on an admissions committee or anything but it sounds like you're doing fine for clinical experience.

 

[jesseealicia]

That's crazy! Either you're a beast or crazy understaffed.. or both. I used to CNA at a nursing home and can't imagine doing 96 hours, 40 hours and I was spent. Anyway, I'm not on an admissions committee or anything but it sounds like you're doing fine for clinical experience.

I did a bunch of 3p to 7a shifts that week, and on my days off everybody was "sick" and kept calling me to take their shifts. I was new so of course I said yes to basically every one of their switch shifts requests. So I guess I was a beast that week! Lol, I'm hoping to apply to a hospital or something very soon to get more of a feel for the doctors.

 

[jesseealicia]

Although most hospitals require a year of experience and I only have 6mos so far 🙁

 

[Doctor Dream]

I did a bunch of 3p to 7a shifts that week, and on my days off everybody was "sick" and kept calling me to take their shifts. I was new so of course I said yes to basically every one of their switch shifts requests. So I guess I was a beast that week! Lol, I'm hoping to apply to a hospital or something very soon to get more of a feel for the doctors.

I did something similar to what you're doing, worked as a nursing home CNA for about 6 months then got a job as a hospital CNA about 4 months ago. PM me if you have questions!

 

[TheZaLord]

I did a bunch of 3p to 7a shifts that week, and on my days off everybody was "sick" and kept calling me to take their shifts. I was new so of course I said yes to basically every one of their switch shifts requests. So I guess I was a beast that week! Lol, I'm hoping to apply to a hospital or something very soon to get more of a feel for the doctors.

Oh man...don't let them take advantage of you again. I saw that happen a lot with the newbies.
I know it's a really tough job and you guys work very hard, so I understand wanting a break...but don't let them overload you. It'll only burn you out.
CNAs here made 9-10/hr, so if you DO burn out (try to stick it out a year at least), or can't get in in the hospital, scribing gives you at least that much too, and you'll get you experience with working close to docs.

 

[jesseealicia]

Yeah I just recently dropped most of my hours. So unfortunately I'm not gaining those 40+ hour experience a week anymore.

Yeah, where I work I get 9.25 for 3 to 11 and 9.75 for 11 to 7 and a dollar more on sat and sun. Pretty lame pay scale lol

 

[halcyonpage]

I work PRN at a hospice for 13/hr. I actually spend most of my time in the office helping with administrative/clerical/busywork tasks. It really helps to prevent burn-out with regular CNA work. I recommend it for anyone who is interested.

I used to work in a memory care unit too, 8 hrs/day, and it was awful. Afternoon shift pushed my sleep schedule way back, the manual labor was never-ending, and co-workers were mean gossips. Quit after 3 months.

As for how it reflects in apps, I have no idea lol. I haven't even gone to an interview yet. But I hope it reflects well!

Honestly though, I'm not sure if there's a true advantage for schools that stress academics. As much as being a CNA has shown me about the patient experience and basic nursing skills, I haven't been able to publish a paper, show leadership, promote social justice, start a business, cure a disease, or get any other super gold stars. I don't know if some adcoms will dismiss the experience as routine booty-wiping. That's my fear.

 

[jesseealicia]

I wish I could get like a clerical job filing paperwork in a medical facility for experience. Ugh.

 

[halcyonpage]

Lol that won't get you much exposure to anything though and it'll show in your interviews -- just find something part-time!

 

[TheZaLord]

I wish I could get like a clerical job filing paperwork in a medical facility for experience. Ugh.

Some schools have work study positions in labs and such too.

What about ER tech? Does that take a certification?

 

[jesseealicia]

Some schools have work study positions in labs and such too.

What about ER tech? Does that take a certification?

I would love to be an ER tech and if you didn't need certification I'm sure you need a ton of experience.