BACKGROUND: Nursing students increasingly are working as nursing assistants (NA) while pursuing their nursing education. The literature discusses both the stressors and benefits of students working as an NA during nursing school
however, there is limited research on the direct effects of students having NA experience during nursing school. METHOD: This repeated measures study examined the effects of NA experience on grade point average, anxiety levels, and clinical judgment in simulation among undergraduate nursing students. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in grade point average or anxiety levels between nursing students with and without NA experience. However, nursing students with at least 12 months of NA experience demonstrated significantly higher clinical judgment in individual simulations, particularly in the responding phase of Tanner's model. CONCLUSION: Although NA work experience may not significantly affect grade point average or anxiety, it may enhance nursing students' clinical judgment, particularly when they respond to clinical situations.