Can I get some feedback??? Please :)

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I am hoping that someone can give me some feedback on what to do....right now I feel like I am pretty lost :confused:

I am done with all my pre-reqs and got on the wait list but as it looks right now unless I am willing to move outside of Denver I am looking at many many years:down: I had no problem waiting I came into this process knowing that unless I was willing to move that this was the way it was going to be.

Well some things happened and it looks like waiting 3-5+ years might not be what I can do so I have to figure out something else to do in the mean time. I have been looking at different things and feel really really lost. I really don't want to work as a CNA so I started looking at other options....including other programs to complete and do while waiting to get into a nursing program.

I started looking around and found a Pharmacy Tech program that is only 1 day a week for 12wks and is under $1000. Working in a pharmacy is by far what I dreamed of doing or even really want to do but it would be work :uhoh3:

I also found a couple of Surgical Tech programs which sound pretty interesting overall and I think I would enjoy more then the pharmacy tech, but of course it is longer more expensive.

I am not planning on making tons of $$$ but would like to be able to make an 'OK' living in the mean time. Any feedback would be great or even other ideas!

Thanks in advance!

I

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What are your job possibilities as a pharm tech vs OR tech? If either will get you into a hospital or organization that offers tuition reimbursement that might help make your decision. I understand wanting to do something productive while waiting. Also, make sure your pre reqs will still be accepted after a several year wait. Best of luck!

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

I was a surg tech before going back to school for my RN. The contacts I made as a tech lined me up for my dream job as a RN. As a pharm tech, you won't make the same contacts. You won't meet the charge nurses, directors, or doctors that will give you the edge when it comes to future employment (unless you want to stay in pharmacy). As an OR tech you will earn a decent amount of money, and likely will be eligible to qualify for tuition reimbursement to go on to nursing school. Just my 2 cents, but I really think that OR techs are more in demand and you will be in a better position to move into a nursing position at some point down the road.

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As a Pharm tech I have told that it would probably be Walgreens. I know that everyone wants to work in a hospital but I have been told that unless you have experience it isn't going to happen. I believe Walgreens starts out about $10-12hr.

When it comes to the Surgical tech I have heard good and bad. I have been told a bunch of different pay rates but I have also been told that it is sometimes hard to find a job without experience....and well I don't know how you GET experience right after school.

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I was a surg tech before going back to school for my RN. The contacts I made as a tech lined me up for my dream job as a RN. As a pharm tech, you won't make the same contacts. You won't meet the charge nurses, directors, or doctors that will give you the edge when it comes to future employment (unless you want to stay in pharmacy). As an OR tech you will earn a decent amount of money, and likely will be eligible to qualify for tuition reimbursement to go on to nursing school. Just my 2 cents, but I really think that OR techs are more in demand and you will be in a better position to move into a nursing position at some point down the road.

Thanks so much!!! If you don't mind me asking was it hard for you to find a job after school? Also what is usually the pay for a beginning tech and does it matter if it is a diploma or AA? I ask because there is a couple programs that offer both.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

I'd have to say that the surgical tech could put you in a place to make contacts much better than walgreen's, where do you think you'd like to work as an RN?

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As a RN I would like to put a couple years in on a Med-Surg floor to get a feel of things. For a long time I thought I wanted to work in the ICU but lots of different areas spark my interest.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

When I graduated from tech school (with an AA) I was offered two jobs (applied for two jobs), both were at clinical sites that I had attended as a student tech. The best advice I can give is to treat clinical experiences as a job interview for the whole time you are there. Make contacts and use them when it comes close to graduation time. Show initiative and interest in everything and let them know that you will are interested in working for them.

In both tech school and nursing school I was with students who pretty much wanted to just "do their time" on whatever rotation we were on. Employers can spot these people from a mile away. They can also spot people who are hungry to learn, and want to work. Make sure you are in the second category.

Also, while I was in tech school I typed up a log of all the cases I performed as a student and felt competent in. I copied this to potential employers along with my application. I also asked for references from preceptors, and nurses. Even though I didn't have paid experience, I had a catelogue of competencies as evidence of my experience and references to back up my claims. In this economy, every little thing you do to distinguish yourself will help.

Now this was a few years ago, and I know things have changed somewhat but I truly believe that if you make a good impression while when you are a student it really goes a long way. The job I landed when I first graduated from tech school wasn't posted as a vacancy, but they knew me and my work ethic and made it happen. The contacts I made as a tech both helped me get a place in nursing school (references) and land a job straight out of nursing school when I graduated. You will learn as you get into a career in the medical/nursing field that it is a small community where everyone knows everyone else. If you are a hard worker as a student, believe me, they will remember you.

I earned a good living as a tech because I was at the top of the pay scale when I left to go back to nursing school. Funny, but my first job out of nursing school actually paid less than I was on earning as a tech - until I got experience. The pay ceiling for nursing, once you get experience, is much higher of course but for a while there I wondered what the heck I had done.

Of course, every marketplace is different. I don't know what the job market is like in your neck of the woods, but it's pretty much a tough market for everyone right now no matter what profession you choose. The best advice I can give to anyone is to pursue your passion. If you do that you are halfway there. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

if you work in a small facility med/surg is a fabulous start and a great way to branch out, I started med/surg and was cross trained to ICU/PCU & psych which pretty much promised me OT every pay period when others who refused to cross train and float were called off. I've since transfered to the ER but can still go back to med/surg or ICU for OT where as my ER co workers can't. However the other side of the coin that I've heard from people in larger facilities is that once they are in a unit, they can't get out of it, you can pick up this type of info once you actually start clinicals and get to know people that work the different floor. Good luck in your schooling :)

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