Chachy Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Hi! I'm currenlty a sophomore, thinking about getting my CNA certification this summer. I hope to be able to work at least part time while I am still in school and then take at least a year off after I graduate to gain more HCE. While being a CNA during my gap year(s) seems like a great way to obtain these hours, I've also considered joining the military as a healthcare specialist. Which would be more appealing when applying to PA school, gaining experience through the military or CNA, or would it not make a difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smccccc Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 I don't know much about the military, however I did what you are thinking about doing. I got my CNA sophomore year of college. Then worked 18 hours a week as a cna throughout college in a nursing home, then 12-24 a week in an Icu setting. I took one year off since I applied at the end of my senior year for PA school and I got accepted! It all worked out for me, so it can for you too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chachy Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 I would really hope so! I still don't know what I'm gonna do. I've had a couple of people tell me that I should just switch my major to nursing since it would be a good way to get hce and a backup in case PA school doesn't work out. I just don't know if I want to delay graduation by a year, work for a year or more, go back and do pre-reqs, and then apply. It wouldn't be a bad idea I'm just confused. Anyway, thanks for the advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbritt Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 CNA is definitely one option. Personally I was late in the game and am graduating in a month. Currently working on my EMT cert and plan to take two years off before PA school working in a hospital setting that accepts EMT over CNA. That's my current plan, unfortunately I can't tell you how that path would work out in terms of acceptance or not, but I'm interested in hearing what other people are doing for their hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dndandrea Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 I've been working as a nurse assistant for almost 2 years while i've been in school and i've accumulated over 2000 hours of HCE. I attended school year around (including summers), so you should be able to get more than that if you have the whole summer off. Look for hospitals that will train you on the job. I've learned more on the job than CNA's who went to school for certification. It'll save you time and money as well. I would strongly advise looking for something in the float pool as well. Working all over the hospital looks way better on an application than just working with one group of patients. I don't know much about the healthcare specialist position, but anything in the military would look good. However, that's a big commitment to make, and you'd be making it for the wrong reason (assuming you're doing it just to get into PA school). Experience as a CNA can look good if it's in the hospital, but could also look bad if it's in a nursing home where all you're doing is assisting with ADLs. There's much variability in how appealing it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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