Any Nurse Techs in RN nursing programs?

[kv07]

I am currently my 3rd semester of RN BSN Nursing Program. I know how having your "foot in door" can land you a better job or get you a job easier, thus I am applying for externships, etc. But where I am from, externships are very limited and so hard to get. I've been seeing TECH positions and have applied to a few, as I see read the requirements on it says that I need a CNA certification or at least 1 semester of an RN program.

But I was just wondering how many of YOU have actually gotten a Nurse Tech position with out any certification and just by completing 1+ more semesters of the RN program you are in???

Also, any suggestions/tips for those of you who are already nurse techs about how to get the job or what they might be expecting from you as a tech. THANKS!

[Reebles]

I just finished my first year in the BSN program at SFSU. I recently started working at San Francisco General as a Public Service Aide-Student Nurse Intern. I am working on a med/surg/telemetry/ACE unit. I mostly do vitals, bed/bath, ambulating patients, feeding, linen changes, and answering call lights. The last 2 PSAs that worked in this unit did get hired after the graduated nursing school. I think the extra experience will definitely help me become a better nurse.

[futurernfarmer]

Here's my background:

[ccguidry]

I'm in my 2nd yr. of an ADN program and I just got hired as a nurse intern on a post anesthesia unit. I don't have previous PCT experience, but I do have my BS in psychology and I've worked as a mental health tech in the past. I haven't started officially, still in orientation, but I think it will be invaluable experience and from what I've been told once you pass boards they usually move nursing students up to a RN position!

[Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN]

You're in nursing school trying to become a tech. I went the exact opposite route became a tech and then decided to take advantage of my employers education program and decided to purse my passion to the next level which is nursing school.

[A.Brook]

I am currently working as an ER tech in my third semester of my ADN program. I have been working for about 2 years and have worked PRN on one of the surgical floors some. Unless you plan on working on a med/surg floor after graduation I say you should try to get a job in the ER or on one of the units. The units will teach you more all around skills, but the ER will give you exposure to all types of patients and disease states. On the other hand, if you are a PCT on a m/s floor you will be able to take vitals really, really well and perform I&Os with your eyes closed.

- Just my opinion though

[NurseMaybeBaby]

I work as a tech in an ER and I honestly don't know how I landed the job. I was hired right before I started my first semester of NS. It has given me a HUGE HUGE heads up in NS. I felt very comfortable my first clinical day. I feel like I can "apply" a lot of the theory at work. I don't actually "apply" it, it just makes more sense. And the people I work with are so awesome, they answer my questions and help me learn.

I'd highly recommend trying to get a tech job somewhere. Even as a sitter, it's a foot in the door. Good luck:)

[dxchange]

Is a nurse tech the same thing as a clinical care tech or patient care tech??? I was a clinical care tech for 4 years and I am now a patient care tech. Very similar except now as a patient care tech I don't do phlebotomy which I did as a clinical care tech. Im thinking they may be all the same...

[jesskidding, LPN]

I'm in my first year of an ADN program and I work as a CNA on a med/surg/tele unit. I had my CNA certification already because my program requires you to be on our states CNA registry before you can apply.

However, even though I think it's great experience and I have already been offered a job when I graduate.....if I had it to do over again I would not have applied for the job. I feel like with nursing school, studying, and working is just too much. I feel like I hardly get to spend time with my husband and kids.

I also have been able to experience "hospital politics", etc and I can say I am already sick of it. Scheduling, low staffing, poor work environment, , sub-par resources and so on.

Good luck to you though with whatever you decide.

:)

[guest430699]

I am in my last semester of school for my RN. I have orientation on Monday for a Nurse Extern position on a surgical floor. I won't be getting my license until March so I am excited about working. I wanted to do Med/Surg first so it is perfect for me. I have no prior hospital experience other than clinical. Best of luck to you on getting what you want! :)

[tech1000]

I did! I had a year of ER experience as a tech in the military, came home from a deployment, found NO jobs as a tech... I finished one semester of nursing school and both jobs I applied to, I got. Definitely definitely definitely get a tech job before graduation.

[luvspring]

How mnay hours are you required to work a month or a week are weekends and holidays required?

[Unique87]

When I was in school last year I worked part time about sixteen hours per week. It wasn't so bad I learned how to juggle things.