Best Tech job for a new male nursing student

[saltgeorge]

I'm thinking about taking a tech job after my first semester in nursing school. I'm older so i simply have to work during nursing school, too many responsibilities. I work in a hospital now as a maintenance man but I would like to start working in a clinical setting just as soon as possible so that I'm not completely dumbfounded when I do graduate and get my license. My question is whats the best area to work in as a new male new tech? ICU, ED, Med-Surg?

[Fearless_leader]

I personally think all 3 departments are great. I usually see male nurses, & techs work in those specialty areas; as well as respiratory and cardiac. I think you will be great wherever you go. Best of luck.

[olagaton]

Don't those areas require some form of experience?

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

I highly recommend ICU/CCU if possible or the ER/ED. Not sure what kind of "tech" you are referring to but I'm assuming not a CNA. I'm a lift tech at my hospital and do all the turns, transfers, and discharges. The job alone is easy especially since I work at night, but aside from good pay, I'm primarily in ICU/CCU and the stuff I learn/see in there correlates with what I'm learning. If you want to experience and see what you actually learn, try to get a position as a tech or CNA in the ICU/CCU. Next choice I would say is an ER/ED tech. You won't get as much as experience compared to ICU/CCU in terms of the nursing process, but you are up front when things go bad and see how things start from admission as well as see all kinds of "stuff." If not, I guess just go for CNA or something at med-surge but imo, you really won't learn as much, plus you'll be more busy doing patient hygiene rather than learning.

Then again, if you're just looking as for a job as a "tech" in the hospital, any would suffice as long as you meet their requirements haha.

[cauru]

I would highly recommend the ICU. At least at my hospital its far easier then working as a floor tech, but you'll get to see/learn a lot and work closely with the nurses. While a great experience, Med/surg is back breaking and very stressful. The ICU is a bit more conducive to working/being a full time student.

Responsibilities in the ICU at my hospital include:

Helping with turns/doing incontinence care. (this is the bulk of the job)

Empty foleys every hour

Draw blood as ordered

Finger Sticks

12 lead EKGS (only if you work 2nd or 3rd shift)

When I float down to our ICU its a breeze compared to med/surg. All of the tubes/drains can be a little overwhelming at first, but you get used to it.

Every hospital is different though!