A nursing student in need of some advice from elder nurses.

[richardgecko]

I'm a second semester nursing student on summer break.

Nursing school & daycare broke me last semester. Completely depleted my savings account. It was so bad that I was late on my rent this month and my bills are past due. So I've been looking for a job as a PCA over the summer to save up some money for the coming semester. I pay $560 a month in daycare and I've been in desperate need of a full time job so that I can start saving for this fall.

After many months of applying, I got an interview at an area hospital for a PCA position. I'm excited, but the only problem is that I know for a fact I won't be able to keep up with the work schedule this fall. Its a rotating shift where I'd have to work weekdays and I absolutely cannot do that because of my clinical schedule in August (Mon-Thurs). I will be off Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in the fall, so a weekend or PRN position would be ideal.

I want this job so bad, but I know that I won't be able to keep up with the rotating shifts come this fall. I'm thinking about going on the interview, leaving out the fact that I won't be able to work the rotating shifts in the fall, hopefully getting the job, and then telling my manager that my schedule will have to change in August. Is this a good idea? I'd love to work at this hospital after I graduate. I don't want to burn bridges but I really need the money.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

They are aware of how nursing school schedules work. I would bet that if you told them that you'd be available most weekends come fall they'd be happy c that, especially if you say you'd be happy to float to whatever unit needed you most. You'll get experience in a lot of interesting places and if you end up some shift in a place you're not crazy about, well, it's not permanent. :)

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

They are aware of how nursing school schedules work. I would bet that if you told them that you'd be available most weekends come fall they'd be happy c that especially if you say you'd be happy to float to whatever unit needed you most. You'll get experience in a lot of interesting places and if you end up some shift in a place you're not crazy about, well, it's not permanent. :)[/quote']

I would always focus on the positive side of this. If it comes up point out the fact that you will be available on a consistent basis on the weekends, and be willing to float.

[anangelsmommy, ADN, BSN, RN]

on an off note, look to see if your school has any private scholarships. I was surprised to learn how many scholarships were available to nursing students and to students in general at my school and even though I didn't qualify for financial aid, I ended up getting a full scholarship once i found out about them and started applying! and online there are a lot of unique scholarships, I found some interesting ones for men and one for making a prom dress out of duct tape - cant do that but there are still some good ones out there. good luck with the job!!

[sandyfeet]

My school had an emergency fund for students. My laptop was stolen and I wrote a letter to the assistant dean explaining my situation, and was given a check. It was amazing. It was not advertised either; I think a staff member heard me complaining about my situation and that was how I found out. Explore your options!