u/Disastrous-Fly-5637

I know I'm planning way far in advance, but I worry if I don't start getting experience now, it will negatively impact me in the future. Idk if it is definitely necessary, though that's why I'm asking.

I plan to be in derm or peds. Top choice is derm tho. I am currently a CNA on the PCU at a major hospital system. I will begin 1 nursing prereq per semester (they are 2 days per week).

I was thinking of taking an online Medical Assistant course to get derm experience. But idk if I can work a 9-5 even though I'll be taking one course per semester that is 2 days per week. Evening classes start 6:30pm so maybe? I also took a huge pay cut becoming a CNA for healthcare experience, so I don't really want to spend more money to become a CCMA, but I will if necessary.

I was thinking of maybe finding a job in peds at my hospital system as a CNA after 6 months of PCU (and while taking online self-paced CCMA course and my A&P I on mondays and wednesdays 8am-1pm). Then, after I finish my CCMA course after 6 months-1 year, transfer to work at a derm clinic where I work a 9-5 schedule to get hands-on experience...(I will still have 3 classes to do that I could take evening classes of but idk...a&p II, intro to chem, microbiology)

Is it necessary for me to get this experience so early on, or is working as an RN (plz recommend a unit or field for derm) enough before becoming an NP enough experience to break into derm?

I am 3 months into my first job and it's in the PCU. The hospital I work for, specifically my unit and this hospital in the hospital system, is pretty toxic and not very supportive. It has major micromanaging and nurses who do not help whatsoever. However, I have always been very passionate about psychology. I was even studying to become a psychiatrist before. I'm planning too far in advance, but I am pretty sure my end goal is to become a PMHNP for children and adolescents, like I always wanted pretty much. I feel like I want to start getting some of that experience under my belt.

Should I wait 1 year before quitting my job in this hospital system, or can I quit at 6 months (or 9 months)? I just don't want to be put on a do-not-rehire list. It's a great hospital system I may want to work for again in the distant future. But currently, I am planning to apply to a different hospital system that specializes in behavioral health.