Are you a PCT/CNA and a BSN/RN student ?

lrlat · May 18, 2011

I too worked during pre-reqs as a CNA weekend doubles. However, I will only be working PRN once in school. I currently have a 3.75. And while yes they do call the c med student doctor also. Your GPA is imperative for any future programs you may want to enter. I have my eyes in CRNA . So yes you must eat, and so forth but I would look for something PRN so when those days happen when you have to study FOREVER...and you know they will...you are not "tied down" with any other commitments.

wide2nd · May 19, 2011

I took a per diem pool position. I only have to work 32 hours a month, but I can put in for more time. For the summer I work weekends 12 hour night shift and I have not been cancelled yet. I liked the flexibility that if I have an exam coming up I work less and breaks and down time I can increase it by my needs also. you can always try it and if it starts to interfere with school see about changing.

StangGang92 · May 19, 2011

I work PRN in the float pool at a local hospital. I have to put in 16 hours a pay period, but I can ask to work as much as I want. I love that I can sign up for 4,8, or 12 hour shifts. It's extremely flexible, so if I have a test the next day I can sign up for a 1500-1900 and still have the time to study.

When you have a job it just means you have to prepare ahead of time. So instead of putting the bulk of your studying into the night before, just break it up ahead of time.

Personally, I think that the PCT/CNA experience is invaluable. I would have to say the students, RN's, and managers I work with all agree. One manager even told me "You can teach a new RN the skills, the procedures, and the drug names - but you can't teach them how to interact with a patient" I think PCT/CNA is a great way to learn this skill, and managers like to know that you have it.

walktheline · May 23, 2011

As a "non-traditional" student with adult bills, I will work. Also, in this economy, it is a good idea to get a job with insurance. Most hospitals offer health insurance even if you work part time, which could be as little as 24 hrs a week.

MedChica · May 24, 2011

It was up in the air - but, I'll be working PRN.

6p-10p

The Assistant DON at my LTC was a CNA, so, he knows the ropes.

Heck, someone is always calling in 'sick'...so, I'm sure that I'll be able to get some decent hours.

Anyway - the Director of the school advised me to NOT work. Said that I'd be able to work FT and attend school FT in the beginning. But...once we hit clinicals? No...because they have a few students who have to work and attend school and many are really struggling.

I was advised to do the regular 16-20 recommended by the Tx BON.

So, that's what I'll do.

I don't say that it can't be done, though.

Hell, if you have bills to pay and mouths to feed then you just have to buckle down and do it.

One of the LVN's at my LTC did and she was a single mother of two...working as a CNA.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · May 24, 2011

I did not work full-time while going to school. When I worked as a tech, we were only hired on a PRN basis because they realize we can have crazy schedules. The great thing is we could make our own schedule and we were only required to work a minimum of 24 hours/month with at least one weekend shift. We were also allowed to work "off" shifts, such as coming in 4 hours, or 6 hours, etc. I kept my hours at 16 max while I was in school...school was my top priority. As long as I worked the minimum, my employer was happy. I do not recommend overloading yourself with work while tackling nursing school.

MarieRandwood · Feb 23, 2012

Hi Umslalum!

I know this is an old threat but I am in a similar position as you were. Just curious what you ended up deciding and how it worked out?

Thank you!

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2012

yep, BSN student, 7p-7a ER tech 24hrs/week so i do 2 12's on the weekends. I tried to mix it up a bit by working a tuesday and friday..ooh bad idea to work during the week. talk about crash and burn.

MarieRandwood · Feb 23, 2012

Oh that's nice that it's all on the weekends. I am interviewing for a position that's 3 8's which doesn't seem like much but I currently work per diem and work about once a week. I'm half way done with my 3rd year and I've heard from others that this semester is the worst one in my program. I'm trying to decide about this wonderful ICU opportunity but I know my grades will drop slightly if I work that much.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2012

ya my boss is super cool. im glad she lets me work only weekends haha.

are u working PRN in a hospital?, if so, idk about you but i learn SOOOOOO much at work. its like extra clinical and getting paid haha :)

foreverLaur · Feb 28, 2012

I worked part-time through the first three quarters because we had 3 classes (a 6 credit hour lecture/seminar/clinical, plus pharmacology and nursing skills). Now that I just have my 8 credit hour lecture/seminar/clinical, I do work full-time and don't have any problems managing things. I could have worked full-time the whole program (as plenty did), but I didn't have to so I avoided the extra stress :)

Sammers · Mar 4, 2012

I work full time as a PCT (3 12 hour shifts per week on a busy oncology/medsurg overflow floor), I am also a full time nursing student, and the mother of two little girls. It's exhausting, but the experience has been fantastic for me. I am much more knowledgable than many of the students I am going to school with, having been exposed to working directly with patients for over a year now. I am an AB student and I am thrilled with that. For those that think it cannot be done, it certainly can, but I think it truly takes someone who is driven to be able to do it. It's not easy, and I have my days where I do not want to crawl out of bed, but in the end it will definately be worth it.