Pre-Nursing Job Decision: Package Handler or Patient Care Technician

MrazFan · Jan 21, 2010

Personally, I would take the patient care tech position. You will gain valuable "hands-on" patient care experience that will really help you when you get to clinicals during nursing school. Plus, after you graduate, and are looking for a nursing position, you will be able to list that experience on a resume. Since it is more related to nursing, it might give you an advantage over an applicant with no previous patient care experience.

AllThingsPink · Jan 21, 2010

Personally, I would take the patient care tech position. You will gain valuable "hands-on" patient care experience that will really help you when you get to clinicals during nursing school. Plus, after you graduate, and are looking for a nursing position, you will be able to list that experience on a resume. Since it is more related to nursing, it might give you an advantage over an applicant with no previous patient care experience.

I totally agree. I've been a patient care tech for almost 4 years at the same hospital and think it will help me greatly with clinical in patient communication and comfort because it's something I've been doing for a relatively long time. Also, some hospitals have educational tuition reimbursement for nursing programs so essentially they'll pay for your education. I'd definitely look into the care tech over the package handling. It would be more beneficial. Good luck!!

Justanotherday · Jan 21, 2010

Is the package handler job with UPS by any chance? The only reason I ask is because they may help pay for your tuition. I applied with them once and that was one of the perks. Five minutes away is hard to pass up, but the PCT would definitely be a boost to your resume, besides being great patient experience for you.

simplyashley21 · Jan 21, 2010

Mama2fiveboys:

No...it's fedex and they have a tuition reimbursement program as well. Then again, the hospital offers educational assistance as well. Here's some other factors the pkg handler job is 3am-7:30am and the pct position is variable on weekends primarily afternoons 12hr shifts. My car get 28 mpg highway and 14 mpg city. Again, thanks for your advice, all of you!

OnceMore · Jan 21, 2010

No brainer - go for the hospital job. (Unless you have other/better healthcare experience on your resume)

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2010

I don't think it's a no brainer. There's a lot to consider here. I'm assuming you are looking for work because you need the additional income as well, not soley for the experience and resume boost.

Of course the PCT will offer you valuable hands on experience that will benefit you in the future. It will look great on a resume and help you while you are in school as well.

BUT --> How much free time do you have? Nursing school, in general, is much more time consuming then the pre-reqs. That 1.5 hrs you loose just driving to and from the hospital could be better spent studying and writing care plans. If you have a pretty busy life right now, you might want to stick close to home.

If you will still have ample time outside of work and class to complete the many, many hours needed to get your school work done, definately go for the PTC position. But if you are worried about time constraints, maybe consider the fed ex job.

simplyashley21 · Jan 22, 2010

I currently volunteer at a local (you may be wondering if I applied at this facility...yes multiple times) until I found an employer who would hire me in the health-care field (preferably in the same town I live and attend school). I am neither married nor a mother so I have, to some degree a significant amount of down time when I am not studying. :confused: Oh yeah, I must work in order to provide support for myself.

emly · Feb 24, 2010

Should you opt for the package handling position, I have some tips for the drive. (I'm finishing up pre-reqs for nursing school and I drive four days a week to a college between 30minutes to an hour away, depending on traffic.) I bought a $40 digital recorder and tape lectures. On the drive back and forth between home/work/school, I replay lectures in the car. Or before tests, I sometimes read important material aloud and record it, then listen to the recording on my way in. (Trying to teach myself on tape, basically.) It's helped me utilize some time that would otherwise be lost in commute.

Good luck! I'd personally opt for the PCT.

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Feb 24, 2010

fyi - most companies, if not all, only give tuition reimbursement for education that will directly affect your career growth with that organization and for some you even have to commit to work a year for every year that you received tuition assistance.

Doubt fedex or UPS will pay for nursing school.

jrsmrs · Feb 24, 2010

Package handler sounds like a fun job :lol2:

simplyashley21 · Feb 25, 2010

Aww thanks guys for the replies. I ended up taking the patient care technician position 45 minutes away. The commute is not so bad. Extremely difficult during initial orientation and beginning of a school semester. I have been able to learn at least the basics of nursing school skills that will hopefully help with my clinicals in the second semester of nursing school. I really like the job. It's night shift and there is a lot of time to study for classes or just simply learn about the field of health care. That is so insightful about the recorder idea. I will definitely check it out. Again thank you everyone! :yeah: