<p>One way to get experience is to work as a CNA while you are getting your nursing degree. This made the difference for my daughter, BSN 2011. She was able to get a New Grad Nurse position on a surgical floor because she had CNA experience on a similar floor at her university hospital - full time during summer and part time during school. It was a lot of hospital hours with both clinicals and work but paid off in the end.</p>