Working in school (I promise this isn't the typical 'should I work' question!)

Nursing Students General Students

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So, I know that with this economy we, if possible, should try and pick up a hospital job for both experience and networking. I know that if possible you should also aim for a hospital job so that when you apply you will be an "internal applicant"

Here is my situation, which sounds the most reasonable for being a nursing student.

1) There is a "nursing home" unit that is located within a local hospital. This offers the best hours and I would also be an internal applicant for when the time came for apply for a RN job. However, this is not the patient population I want to work with; I would love hospital type experience if possible

2) Be a secretary for a cardiology clinic that is associated with another area hospital. The hours also work well with me and I again would be an internal applicant. But I am worried I wouldn't get hands on experience as I would with a CNA/PCT job.

3) Be a secretary in the perioperative unit in an amazing hospital (University of Iowa), the hours are great: 4 hours a night, 5 nights a week. So, I would be working a lot, but at the same time it wouldn't take a huge chunk out in the day. The cons are that is doesn't get the experience as a PCT/CNA job would, it’s about a 20 minute drive, and employees don't park free there and I feel like I would lose so much money in parking. This is a great hospital to have on your resume, but I wonder if I should wait for a job with hands on experience.

4) Wait it out for a CNA/PCT job that is in my area and works with the schedule. I don't have a need to work right now, I'm lucky to have amazing parents to cover my education. My CNA certification doesn't expire until May, so I don't need to work on it right now. I really want a job and I want to get experience, but I don't want to give up my good grades and all my organizations just so I can work. I've been passively looking for a job and by what I've seen there will most likely be no perfect job.

Obviously, nursing home situations offer the best hours just because they want people to work for them. It would be great to work every other weekend, but I wish I could do it in a hospital setting.

Which is probably the best situation while going through nursing school? Considering course load but also trying to find a job after graduation.

Sorry for the novel guys!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

The issue with an internal switch, to me, is a bit ethical. When you take that job will you tell them that you are planning to bolt as soon as you can? Some places have policies that you can't switch departments until you've been there a set amount of time. Also, once I couldn't switch departments because I got written up for something that wasn't my fault. The write-up prohibited me from transferring. The only up side is that if the hospital has a policy of putting a priority on internal hires. I don't think its worth it. Especially if you get stuck working in a unit where you don't want to be. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Home Care.

Which job were you actually offered?

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Have you actually been offered any of these jobs?

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I've applied and interviewed. Been offered job 1 and 3, 2 I just interviewed for yesterday. I'm just curious which is the best situation or if I should wait it out for the most ideal job to come around.

Just a little side note: I didn't apply for these jobs with the intentions of maybe not accepting any of them. I felt pressure from other nursing students saying how you NEED to work to apply for a job. However, I don't have a financial need to work and I don't want to throw off my GPA and such just to have experience.

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When you take that job will you tell them that you are planning to bolt as soon as you can? Some places have policies that you can't switch departments until you've been there a set amount of time. !

Well, I have several years before I'd apply for an RN job with whatever hospital I would work with, so it isn't like I would 'bolt' as soon as I can.

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Personally,I would pick the job as a secretary. I think it would be less stressful during nursing school. I enjoy the residents but I know that I don't want to work in LTC. I would never take a job as a CNA in one just to get experience. Why make myself miserable when school is sometimes miserable enough? You will get some of those experiences in clinicals anyway. Sometimes it's more about the people you meet and make good impressions on than the work you do.

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Personally, I think if you are anywhere near finishing nursing school you need to work in a hands-on role (nurse aid, tech, etc). It is really hard to get an RN job, and even nurse techs where I live can't get their hospitals to hire them as graduate nurses. Any edge you can have will help. I know its good to be in a hospital so you can transfer, but I think it may be more beneficial to you to work in a patient care role. (I feel like once I started working as a nursing assistant, clinicals became SO much easier.)

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Specializes in Mother Baby RN.

I used to work at the Univ. of Iowa hospital and let me tell you, IT'S freaking awesome. The doctors are (mostly) nice and it's really neat to see all the different types of cases coming into UIHC because it's the best in Iowa. Also, Java House is the best coffee house around. NEVER work Saturdays in the fall at UIHC!!! Football games make that IMPOSSIBLE since it's right next to Kinnick, lol. I would pick working there over ANY hospital in CR and Mercy in Iowa City. I miss working there, but be prepared because if you're a CNA while in school, it'll take a lot out of you. Although, if you prove your skills as a CNA at UIHC, they teach you SO MUCH that you wouldn't get to attempt elsewhere and you'll see a lot more. They also almost exclusively hire from within, especially on the CNA level. If they like you, they'll do a fair amount to keep you! I miss that hospital so much! Everyone is so nice!

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I go to school full time and I don't work. I don't see anything wrong with it, I get my experience from clinicals (I'm assuming every nursing school has clinicals you MUST attend!) Listen, if you don't have to work, it'd be silly to work. Focus all your time and energy into school to learn as much as possible. That's my philosophy, anyway. Plus, whenever you precept (again, assuming every school precepts) there's a good chance you'll get hired on after you graduate (oh, what a glorious day that will be!!!! :yeah::yeah:)

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