[Tibbs]

Hi! I am new to this site and I am also new to nursing! I already have a BS in BBiology but I am returning to school this Fall to start the Nursing program.

I have a well paying job but it is not the least little bit related to nursing or medicine. My question is:

Is it advise able to quit my job and get a job at a hospital until I graduate for experience purposes, possibly PCT, or just hang out as long as possible at the well paying job? What did you guys do to pay the bills while in school?


Thanks!

[adidasgirl0699]

I'd stick w/ the current job that pays well while going to school... As long as they're going to be accomodating of your change in schedule. I knew of several people who didnt have previous nursing/medical experience and who didnt work as a PCT or anything while in school, and they did just fine.

I think you'll definitely get plenty of experience in your clinicals. Afterall, that's what the clinicals are for.

Best wishes

[Itshamrtym]

Good luck to you in school. When I was going to LPN school I waitressed and did private duty respite care ($$$cash). From LPN-RN
of course I worked as a LPN. If I were you I would stay at current job. As the previous post stated you will get experience in clinicals. If you feel the burning desire to do something in the medical field you could do PCT part-time or PRN. You could also volunteer. I don't know where your area of interest lie, but some ER's let volunteers do vitals and EKG's ect... Nothing invasive. Hope that helps...

[Melissa B RN]

I stayed with my well paying job until my school schedule started impacting my coworkers( I was in a non medical field) and their ability to take time off of work. I then took a position as a PCT and have learned a lot more than I have ever learned in any clinical. You have to do what is necessary to provide for you and yours.

[BookwormRN]

While I agree it would be wise to keep your job so you can pay your bills, I have to disagree with the previous posters regarding experience in clinicals.

Of course, depending upon your program! I was in an ADN program at a local Technical college. I am so glad that I worked as a CNA, then Nurse Tech for experience. I found most clincials to be (dare I say it!) a waste of time and effort. The instructor had 8 students to look out for; as a student, we could not do "skills" or pass meds without an RN present-RNs on the floor were busy and said "Get your instructor", who by the way, was busy with someone else at the time!

My practical experience at work made all the difference in my comfort level for clinicals. When I graduated I felt comfortable because of that experience.
I have a friend who had no medical experience-she took a job as nurse tech and was she glad she did. I really helped to boost her confidence, as well as time managment and clinical skills.

Whatever you decide to do-good luck

[CMT_RN]

Hi,
I think that the answer depends on the nursing school program and the hospital you are looking at. Does the PCT position require an LNA license (or CNA)? Do you have one? Will your nursing program give you one once you have learned all the aide stuff? If the answer is yes, then I would stay with the well paying job for now, and when you can, start PCT work.
I started as an LNA and worked through my ADN program at a tech college. (I have a BA in psych and didn't want another 4 years of college). I feel that I learned more from work (two 12 hour shifts per week during the school months) than I did in most of my clinicals. Some of my classmates really wished they worked as LNAs. Also, I worked at a teaching hospital, so the staff was really great, I am not sure if I would have the same experience if it were a different hospital.
I hope this helped. Good luck to you!!
PS - School loans got me through both degrees.