Unit Secretary

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Hi Everyone,

Did anybody start out as a unit secretary before or while attending nursing school? The reason I ask is because I need to get exposure to nursing and patients? I called my local hospital to see about volunteering to be a PCA and human resources told me that alot of their nursing students start out as unit secretary or clerks. She said that they have had good success with this. I guess it makes sense at least with the med term and the charts and getting used to the Docs. What concerns me is there will be very little patient contact. I also thought they would recommend that I become a CNA, but she didn't.

mona b

Ortho_RN

1,037 Posts

I think that is weird that they would rather students be a US rather than a PCA/CNA... The hospital I work at as a PCA told me that usually they nursing students work as US or PCA but they prefer them to work as PCA b/c of the experiance that you will gain... I would tell them you are wanting to work as a PCA and hopefully they will let ya.. It has been GREAT experiance for me, I wouldn't trade it for anything..

Good Luck

CountrifiedRN

408 Posts

I did both. I started as a CNA, then cross-trained as a US.

I got good experience at both jobs, but the CNA job gave me more of the experience I needed for my nursing skills. I would say go for the CNA job if you want experience.

Human resources is probably just looking to fill a US position!

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