A job in the medical field while in nursing school?

[collegegirl209]

Is it a good idea to be working in the medical field while in nursing school (ADN or BSN)? (ie. become a phlebotomist or EKG tech while also studying to get RN). Is anyone doing this?

I am just so sick of waiting tables. There are a few phlebotomist programs here locally in Modesto, but they are around $2500 for tuition. Looks like it can be completed in less than a year, including cert. I already have fed loans and pell grant for my current college. Not sure if I could even get an fed loan/grant/tuition assistance to cover the tuition for phlebotomist. I was planning on calling around to see what they say on Monday (re: tuition).

OR should I just stick with waitressing (ugh ) and continue to complete my pre-reqs to get into the nursing program? LOL.

Feedback about this would be very valuable!

- Jeanie

P.S. Sorry about the smilies... They are just too cute.

[nursingstudent221]

I think that its a good idea. I am going to work as a phlebotomist so that when i go to look for a job as a new RN i have some health care experidence. I think that it would give you a leg up on finding a job. In my opion they would want someone with some health care experidence then someone with out even though it is possible to get a job without any health care experidence. So if you think that you can work and go to school to get your RN i think it is a great idea.

Good luck!

[Joe1984]

I think it's a great idea... I have been working in a hospital for 5 years as an NA in surgery, and had it not been for my experience there, I would never have even considered nursing school. It's amazing all of the stuff I have learned as an NA in the last few years, I definitely have an edge on some of the other student who have never set foot in a hospital. And, if you work in the med. field then you will know whether or not you are going to like what you will be doing, I would hate to got through 2 or 4 years of school and once I finished, not like my job. NA training is pretty cheap and it only lasts a couple of weeks, I would highly reccommend getting your foot in the door!

[collegegirl209]

I think it's a great idea... I have been working in a hospital for 5 years as an NA in surgery, and had it not been for my experience there, I would never have even considered nursing school. It's amazing all of the stuff I have learned as an NA in the last few years, I definitely have an edge on some of the other student who have never set foot in a hospital. And, if you work in the med. field then you will know whether or not you are going to like what you will be doing, I would hate to got through 2 or 4 years of school and once I finished, not like my job. NA training is pretty cheap and it only lasts a couple of weeks, I would highly reccommend getting your foot in the door!

NA = nurse assistant?

[Joe1984]

Sorry about that.. yes I am a nursing assistant in the OR. I work full time and I have been taking 2 classes a quarter for the last year, it is a big load to carry, but it will definitely be worth it in the end. You will learn so much more working in the field rather than trying to learn about it from a book.