Accelerated BSN - How to get experience during program

premedturnednursing · Jan 21, 2009

Hello!

I am in an accelerated BSN program ( I finish in August!!) and frankly, I have not time for a job. There are a few ppl in my class who work as techs for about 12 hours per week, but other than that, the pace of school is so furious, you don't really have much time for anything else.

Congrats on getting in and good luck!

Galore · Jan 21, 2009

I also recently finished up a 13 month ABSN program and most of us did not work. At least in the first semester, we had class 4 days a week including one day of clinicals after the 2nd week of school. Some nights I would only get 4 or 5 hours of sleep even though I came home straight from class and started studying and doing assignments right away. Things got easier after the first semester though.

A few students actually worked fulltime while doing it, but they were also falling asleep in lecture or seemed stretched pretty thin. I worked nearly fulltime while taking fulltime classes for my first degree, but I think nursing school is a bit different because you are doing clinicals and there is just information overload in the accelerated program.

Some of the departments in our hospitals offered positions specifically for nursing students where you worked maybe 10-15 hours a week under the supervision of an RN, but there were not many available. You can also work as a CNA after your first semester of nursing school. This can be very valuable as far as just getting more comfortable in the hospital environment and working with patients, and definitely will help your time management skills. Some of my classmates had already worked as CNAs and you could tell just by how confident they were. But it's not hard to learn how to take vitals and give baths, so you can catch up in clinicals if you're just hoping to gain experience and don't necessarily need the money.

Also, you could work as a unit clerk. Even though it's not nursing per se, I think this would be helpful especially if it's in an area you might want to work in. That way you become familiar with the labs and procedures that are frequently done in that area. If all else fails, you can see about volunteering. Just make sure that school is your first priority. Good luck with your program!

Pachinko · Jan 22, 2009

I understand your wanting more experience, but why do you think you won't get a good position if you don't have experience? Most new grad RNs have no nursing or healthcare experience--most are directly out of school.

I was in your shoes a few years ago. I went into an accelerated, second career nursing program after years of having worked in a completely unrelated industry. I was able to work through some of the program, but only because I'd scored a job that let me study during work hours.

PrincessO, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 12, 2010

Atleast here in Florida most hopitals won't even consider you unless you already have a year experience. I went in for an interview for a new job and there were so many new grad with no type of experience at all. I felt really bad for them because most were career changers due to this economy and the interviewer new that. She was pretty cold to the new grad and only consider the ones that already have healthcare experience as an CNA or LPN. She noted that a lot of career changer go into nursing with no experience and they end up realizing that it is totally different then what they thought.

I would reccommend volunteering or working as a CNA so you can show that you have some experience in nursing. Also, requesting to work a certain shift or certain days would also not be a good idea. That was also a common theme so most of the single new grad with no kids or other obligations got the few positions that were available because they were willing to work any day and any shift!

The days when nurses could pick and chose are no longer-too many new grads with not enough positions available for them. It cost money to train new grads so most hospital look for nurses with 1 year experience. I am hoping the economy will get better soon, but for now there still are a lot of positions available for nurses with experience.

live4rachael · Jan 12, 2010

I'm in an ABSN program right now and also working 20 hours/week as a student tech. It hasn't been easy but I have a great spouse who is very supportive (and also sees the goal in May), and I also gave up the dream of the 4.0. The experience is invaluable compared to a few GPA points. My grades are pretty good, but not the 4.0 I originally dreamed of - and that's perfectly all right.

If you can't do the job thing, definitely volunteer. Nurse managers will recognize you with that as well. You won't get to do as much but it's still better than nothing at all.

Good luck!

roma4204, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2010

My school has "service learning". I am currently in an ABSN program, and work a LOT of hours.

BUT 4 hours/week is doable which is what they as for at my school volunteer program.

At my school you sign up for volunteer hours. I was very interested in the ER and getting a job at a specific hospital and I was so fortunate enough to get the exact spot I wanted. This way if I don't get an externship (which is very difficult when you are in school, let alone trying to make end's meat) I can still network. I would suggest seeing if your school has a volunteer program like this and attempting to do it in one of your "lighter" semesters! Good luck!

ABSN'14 · May 16, 2012

Just wondering if any of you who previously posted in this thread were able to find a job as an RN after graduation? Or anyone who went through an accelerated program for that matter. If you could share with us the school you attended and the location you found your job in as well, that would be helpful!

Thanks!

live4rachael · May 16, 2012

Yep, I went to MUSC, worked as a tech through school, and got hired on the same unit (which was my hope all along). Peds Sub-specialty unit (heme/onc, liver/kidney transplant, and diabetes).

ABSN'14 · May 23, 2012

Thanks so much live4rachael! Anyone else??