How many of you worked while in school?

Nurses New Nurse

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I am considering a position as a student nurse on the cardiac unit of a local hospital. Basically, I would be doing this just for the expereince, not the money. I am in my 3rd semester of RN school and will graduate in May.

For those of you that have worked in the clinical setting while in school, did you find it beneficial or not?

Thanks for the input.

I plan on staring in the hospital in January. (after my first semester)

Is there a difference between a PCT/CNA and a student nurse?? I never see any job openings for student nurses. But most of the hospitals hire students after fundamentals as CNA's??

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

Thanks for all of your input. I accepted a position in the pool, so that I can set my own hours. I surely don't want it interfering with school. Anyway, I'm really excited, but also really nervous.

JR, I don't think there is much of a difference in the two. The student gets paid a tad bit more (at the hospital where I'm going anyway), and they said that usually the nurses try to show the students more stuff and let them be more proactive in the patient care area.

Good luck to all of you who have just graduated and to those with upcoming graduations! I can't wait for May!!

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Congratulations on the new position. I found that working "pool" works out very well with school. If you have a huge exam coming up and you need to study, then you just don't get scheduled.

Also, if you are working in a hospital that is familair with your program, you will find that the nurses can be very helpful. Many may have come from that same program.

Best of luck!! Don't be nervous, they wouldn't have hired you if they didn't think you would be great. It will likely open many doors come graduation.:)

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Like Biker RN I work full time days, go to school at night and do clinicals on the weekends. I graduate in 28 days. It CAN be done. Hey Biker what do you ride? I've had a Softail since 91'. 44k miles and counting on that one.

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I've had 5 bikes in the past. Cruisers, sportbikes and dirtbikes. I currently have a Standard and it's very fast.:coollook: In a perfect world I would own a Harley Heritage Classic Soft Tail and a Hayabusa.

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Specializes in ER, NICU.

This is cool:

My daughter is in her first semester of clinical rotations.

They asked her if she wanted to work as a student nurse. They pay her $12.00/hr! She gets to pick her hours to mesh with work. She is so excited, because she also gets to work full time in summer for them.

I wish I'd have worked at least some in a hospital while I was in nursing school - I don't know HOW I would have done it, but I think I would have felt more at home being on the floors.

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This may sound like a very dumb question, but I will ask it anyways! I am currently an 8th grade teacher and I am going back to school to an accelerated ADN program (for those who hold a non-nursing Bachelor's degree). I will have to work during the 4 semesters that I am in school, so my question is this: how far into your nursing program do you have to be in order to get hired in a hospital? Can you start work in a hospital at the same time you are starting a nursing program? Approximately what is the pay for a student nurse? And, do you need to be a CNA or is it enough to be a student in a nursing program?

Thanks in advance for your responses!!!!!!

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This may sound like a very dumb question, but I will ask it anyways! I am currently an 8th grade teacher and I am going back to school to an accelerated ADN program (for those who hold a non-nursing Bachelor's degree). I will have to work during the 4 semesters that I am in school, so my question is this: how far into your nursing program do you have to be in order to get hired in a hospital? Can you start work in a hospital at the same time you are starting a nursing program? Approximately what is the pay for a student nurse? And, do you need to be a CNA or is it enough to be a student in a nursing program?

Thanks in advance for your responses!!!!!!

I waited to start working my last semester (I had that luxury). But once you have the basic skills (vital signs, personal patient care, etc) you can start as a CNA or PCT. The pay will vary I'm sure as to where you apply (long term care, hospital, office). Pay is greater for PRN (pool) but you give up benefits for the extra hourly pay (no insurance, sick days or vacation). About 6 years ago, they were paying $11.75 for a PCTII (which a student nurse in their second of 2 years of school).

I hope this helps answer your questions.

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

Around here, hospitals will start hiring you as a student nurse tech after you have completed your first semester of nursing school. You do not have to complete a CNA course if you are in nursing school.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I work one weekend a month and go to school in the evening. I have a hubby and 2 small children so if I'm not "working" at home I am studying. I couldn't hold even a part time job and go to school. There are others in my class that work fulltime and are doing fine though, all depends!!

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