Anybody have a night PCT job & school/clinicals during the day?

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I've seen students say they have jobs as PCTs during school, and the only way I can think of is a night PCT position. I currently have a good job in another field, but I'd really like to work ICU or Telemetry as an RN when l graduate, and have seen some postings for night ICU techs in my area that appear to require no experience & just a CNA, EKG and basic phlebotomy cert.

How doable is it to have a night job & then go to school? (Presumably sleep after school...) I'm thinking maybe it would be possible to work 2 weekend days and only have one day during the week where it would be a school day immediately following a night shift.

Has anyone done it, and were you dead tired at clinicals, or did you find yourself not having enough time for homework?

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

I'm in school and I work as a night shift PCT, one weekend shift a week. It's not full time, and I never work and then go immediately to school (always have a day like Sunday to reverse my sleep) and it works pretty well for me. You just have to learn how to arrange your sleeping every week. I like night shift, and every once in a while, I even get to study!

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Specializes in LDRP.

i do per diem, so i just pick up shifts here and there when i have time.. i do mostly second shifts (3-11, or 5-9), and a couple 11-7 night shifts on weekends or when im on break.. but this is probably not practical if you need full time money...the plus is per diem gets paid more per hour than full time, and depending on where you work, you can get up to 40 hours a week if you want to, its just not guaranteed. i usually work like once or twice a week while im in school though.

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School is a full time job. Not only will you be in class from 8-ish to 2-3-ish, but you will be expected to go home and read and study. This can take a few hours. You will also have papers, assignments, and care plans to write.

We lost 5 people because they worked nights before school :( I hated to see them fail.

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My friend worked Fri, Sat. and Sun nights through LPN school. She loved it. I would never advise anyone to work nights and then come straight to school.. NONONO. That is crazy!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Psychiatrics, Med-surg.

I work Sat, Sun, and Mon nights, and i'm currently in RN school. It's not easy, and if you weren't in a situation that REQUIRED you to do so (such as being a single parent, like myself), I wouldn't recommend it. I NEVER work a shift and then go straight to class. School itself is stressful enough without adding sleep deprivation in the mix.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you. :yeah:

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I did it with an hour and a half commute to school. Lots of times I would be nodding off at the wheel. Then I discovered the furthest bus stop and started to park my car at the park and ride. Then I discovered the train. I could close my eyes when someone else was doing the driving. You really have to be motivated to make this work and it certainly helps if your health is excellent.

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i do per diem, so i just pick up shifts here and there when i have time.. i do mostly second shifts (3-11, or 5-9), and a couple 11-7 night shifts on weekends or when im on break.. but this is probably not practical if you need full time money...the plus is per diem gets paid more per hour than full time, and depending on where you work, you can get up to 40 hours a week if you want to, its just not guaranteed. i usually work like once or twice a week while im in school though.

Thanks all. Ashley, were you an experienced CNA or PCT before you got the per diem position, or can you do per diem as a first time PCT? Does per diem include some training?

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I am working 2-3 nights 3-11 as a CNA per diem. Per diem is a "as needed" basis so you can accept or refuse depending on your school schedule.

Tip: It's a lot...but it's do-able. My only suggestion is make sure you are organized and self-directed. There is soooooo much studying and paperwork in school and if you aren't organized or self-directed, you won't make it!

GL

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Were you experienced before you went per diem, though? Or did they provide training, and then you took an as needed schedule? Per diem would be perfect for me - I don't really need the $$, I just want the experience.

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Were you experienced before you went per diem, though? Or did they provide training, and then you took an as needed schedule? Per diem would be perfect for me - I don't really need the $$, I just want the experience.

Nope - no experience so they will start you out on the lower end of payscale. Also, most places do their own formal training of new hires. It's a win-win for everyone as the employer gets out of paying for benefits for you.

GL - I'm doing it for the same reason - experience - it will only help when I graduate in August!

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Nope - no experience so they will start you out on the lower end of payscale. Also, most places do their own formal training of new hires. It's a win-win for everyone as the employer gets out of paying for benefits for you.

GL - I'm doing it for the same reason - experience - it will only help when I graduate in August!

Thanks so much! I never would have applied to the per diem postings b/c I thought I had to have experience. This board is awesome for reasons like this, people are so helpful.

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