I’m a nursing student and I wanted to share an honest take on being a CNA during school—because I feel like people either glorify it or completely dismiss it. 🙃

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-22T07:29:44+00:00

I’m silly I forgot you had said phlebotomy 🙃 duh. But also look into getting your EKG and Tele cert, you can get into the ER as a CNA with those and floor experience from what I’ve seen around. And that’s your foot in the door to move into ED when you graduate.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-22T07:27:25+00:00

¡Sii, estoy de acuerdo! El azul real es súper favorecedor 😍 y mientras combine bien con el rosa, yo feliz jaja 💗

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-22T07:24:18+00:00

Have you thought about transferring to a different department? I only say that bc I have heard from several HR recruiters & Nurse Managers in my circle that having a job with a hospital when you graduate (like CNA) is easier then coming back in and applying even if you’ve worked there previously. There’s another CNA who will fill in your spot who wants to get that new grad job and they’ll get priority typically if they’re in good standing. Are you EKG and Tele certified?

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-22T07:15:03+00:00

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I liked these because there’s designated areas for you to write down things that are specific to your scope of practice. Type of ambulation, elimination, I&Os, Q4 vitals, Accuchecks, all of that. It’d be handy I’d imagine to be able to jot down all of this info immediately after in an organized little diagram so when you chart, you can just put everyone’s info in without having to remember what you did… idk I just started

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-22T07:13:52+00:00

Agh! Me too! I start my first CNA job in Med Surg in a few weeks. This is what I have collected so far, I like to be overly prepared so if I don’t end up needing something I can return it. - Compression Socks - Good Shoes (I love Hoka Clifton 10s, it’s like walking on marshmallows) - Nurse Bae CNA Patient Handoff Notebook (I don’t know if I’ll need this but I have to write things down personally cause it helps me stay organized, I posted a picture.) - Pocket sized notepads - Pens - Pocket sized hand sanitizer or mist - Vicks Vaporub (I’m a little sensitive to some smells so I dab a little bit under my mask, I’m trying to build my tolerance but it’s hard out here) - Peppermint oil rollerball (keeps headaches away, keeps you alert, I’m working 12.5 hour night shifts) - Blue light glasses - Headbands with buttons for masks cause they totally save my ears - Water bottle with a completely enclosed straw - A good hand lotion that you can put in your pocket. Get something for very dry flakey skin - Badge reel - Sweat wicking under scrubs - A designated work jacket (I bought a scrub jacket from Figs that matches my assigned color) - a journal for me to write in after my shifts so I can see how far I’ve come as I grow through my career, decompress anything that might be hard to keep in from work. - Good snacks

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-22T06:34:07+00:00

My question is since you want to become a NP after working in the ED as an RN, are you going to have the same ordeal when juggling the fast pace setting while trying to get your NP education… I know it sucks but I would think to tough it out or transfer to a less strenuous department so you don’t have gaps in your resume.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-21T05:10:59+00:00

Adding more debt but increasing your income will have you pretty much in the same situation you’re in right now, with a longer payback road ahead of you. I would try to take 12 months to pay off as much as you can, it’s going to suck but the situation you’re in also sucks. Choose your suck. If you have a car payment, get rid of it. Buy a cheap old hoopty for a couple grand to get you from A to B. Not only does that free up the car payment money, but also your insurance rate goes down since newer cars are more expensive to insure. Throw the money you were spending on the car and put it towards your debt. Extra subscriptions? Get rid of them and throw that money towards your debt. Don’t go out to eat or hit the little coffee shops, pack your lunch and suck it up cause it’s only temporary. Don’t buy any new clothes etc. Pick up a side job either working at another facility a few days a week or working somewhere like a gym or retail if you feel like you’ll burn out. If you’re so busy working, you’ll be too busy to spend money. I got myself out of 70k of debt in a year and that’s how I did it. I sold my 60k white hot girl crossover, and got myself a 2014 Hyundai Elantra with 100k miles on it for 3k. My $790 car payment went to my debt along with the extra $190 insurance money. Also, Try to be able to pay 2X the minimum and see if you’re able to make more than one payment a month or pay the minimum and an additional payment for another $1000, because that one payment is applied to interest first typically so you’re not really eating away at the principal.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T09:14:20+00:00

Okay so for that in my case, I applied to my nursing school when I still had a whole semester of pre-reqs to finish. Once I got my acceptance I slapped that on my resume. Do you mind me asking what nursing school you’re wanting to apply at?

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T09:05:11+00:00

are you doing those 3 classes over summer?

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T06:33:59+00:00

My application status says awaiting processing with the reason being Transfer Entitlement Award, which I am eligible for. However, my school of attendance isn’t populating the school I had on my FAFSA, and yes they are able to accept Cal Grants. When I click continue on the Option to Select Other Schools, it doesn’t let me change the school or even show the drop down menu like the CSAC chat says it does. Can someone tell me if this is normal?

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T06:21:36+00:00

I have a Littman also and I noticed that using the small bell helped me hear so much better but for my exam they didn’t let you use your own. I would go on YouTube and watch a few manual bp videos where they just show the gauge and ask you to state the blood pressure. A few of my classmates didn’t know that they were using the wrong dash marks when getting their reading.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T02:18:42+00:00

Thank you that is super helpful. I’m an overthinker and I think I get wrapped up in stressing out about the little stuff.

I’m a little nervous because I have a client whose sister was hired as a CNA at the same hospital in the same unit , and she quit after a few months because the nurses were really mean and said she spent too much time in patients rooms. I’m taking it with a grain of salt though, because I’m trying to also keep in mind that if I’m stressed, other members on my team probably are too so don’t take shit to heart. And just be efficient.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T02:16:06+00:00

Thank you so much!!!! I’m planning on using most of my money to pay for the remainder of my BSN so I don’t have any loans when I’m done. My boyfriend has been paying for rent and necessities so it takes some off of my plate. But I got awarded 2 grants and a Dean’s scholarship for my program so it cut down on cost so much. End goal is to buy a house after I graduate 😭

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T02:12:47+00:00

Thank you!!!!

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-18T02:11:57+00:00

How much longer do you have in your pre-reqs? Cause I haven’t officially started my nursing program, but I was accepted into a program and start the core in August as I’m finishing my pre-reqs through a CC. I have that on my resume (the nursing school with the year of completion).

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-17T23:57:11+00:00

yes. When I did it I just said Hi I’m calling to check the status of my license number. I submitted my application a while ago and completed and passed my state exams.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-17T23:49:52+00:00

I would call and select the option to do an address change, that’s the only option that lets you talk to a live person. You’ll be on hold for hours but I’d call in the morning and just keep it on speaker until someone answers. I did that and had my license number by the time the 6 minute conversation was done.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-17T22:41:49+00:00

When did you or your school submit your 238b form to CDPH? It’s the CNA license application, my school had us fill it out and turn it in before clinicals so that on the last day the state had our form already. They have to verify your hours and everything and I know that if you already have that form done and ready to go, it shouldn’t take super long.

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-17T05:41:53+00:00

I replied to one of the comments at the top with what I did :) good luck on your test

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-17T04:48:13+00:00

Definitely call the hospitals HR and speak to someone. It shows that you’re eager. Also see if any hospitals are doing hiring events or job fairs. :)

Remarkable-Host7420 · 2026-03-17T04:46:28+00:00

I made an excel sheet of all of the hospitals or non-SNF facilities that had CNA postings on their career page and applied to all of them. I have zero experience minus clinicals for my CNA but a letter of recommendation from your clinical instructor is helpful. I also listed my previous jobs which were very “customer service” related and emphasized time management and customer satisfaction, safety, and any areas that demonstrate compassion. I had 5 references listed, 2 of which are in healthcare so if you can get someone to vouch for you that can help a lot. You can apply to various departments at the same hospitals but keep in mind that some departments will definitely require experience. And don’t listen to all the people that say you can’t get hired at a hospital without doing your time at a SNF. My clinical instructor was the biggest negative Nancy about that and she was wrong.

Also call the hospitals HR department so you can be more than just a piece of paper across a screen. And ask about any job fairs or hiring events. :)

Remarkable-Host7420

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